Mattabeseck Wildlife Corridor on Old New Ipswich Road, Rindge’s newest conservation area, will officially open to the public at a grand opening event Sunday, May 21, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Festivities will include a ribbon-cutting, blessing by members of the Abenaki tribe, recognition of the people and foundations that made Mattabeseck possible and guided walks on its wooded trails. The event is free.
In mid-2022, the Town of Rindge purchased 228 acres of mostly undeveloped land previously owned by Rindge Stone and Gravel. Since then, the Rindge Conservation Commission has prepared the area for visitors by marking trails, installing a kiosk and constructing the entry and parking lot with help from the current owner of Rindge Stone and Gravel. Once the work is completed, Mattabeseck will be open to the public year-round.
The name, Mattabeseck Wildlife Corridor, was selected with input from Rindge residents. Many suggested names that would recognize the Abenaki people present in the area before it was settled by Europeans. The Conservation Commission selected Mattabeseck ,meaning, “land between waters,” as the property sits at the watershed divide between the Contoocook and Millers rivers. “Wildlife corridor” was added to the name to recognize its unfragmented connection for wildlife movement between Converse Meadow, Annett State Forest and Audubon’s Wildwood Camp.
For information, send email to the Conservation Commission at rindgeconcom@town.rindge.nh.us.