Land of Providence is a open space reservation located in the Ingleside neighborhood of

Holyoke, Massachusetts Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, that lies between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,238. Located north of Springfield ...

, on the banks of the

Connecticut River The Connecticut River is the longest river in the New England region of the United States, flowing roughly southward for through four states. It rises 300 yards (270 m) south of the U.S. border with Quebec, Canada, and discharges at Long Island ...

. The property was previously owned by the Sisters of Providence. In 2009 it was donated to

The Trustees of Reservations The Trustees of Reservations is a non-profit land conservation and historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving natural and historical places in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is the oldest land conservation nonprofit orga ...

and is now used for farming by the local organization Nuestras Raices, which allows local residents farm the land and raise livestock.

History

were given this piece of land by the Sisters of Providence in June 2009. With this gift, The Trustees of Reservations committed to serving as long-term stewards of the river and land, carrying out the legacy of the Sisters of Providence, supporting Nuestras Raices, and providing outdoor opportunities for community members.

Programs at Land of Providence

Programs held at the Land of Providence include the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club environmental education program, farm intern stewardship apprenticeships, Holyoke

Youth Conservation Corps The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a paid summer youth work program in federally managed lands. The National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management employ teens each summer to participate ...

, winter snowshoe treks, public and private tours, kayak yours, yoga as well as public workshops on topics such as: worm composting, container gardening,

greenhouse A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of Transparent ceramics, transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic condit ...

assembly, and rain barrel setup.

Visiting

Land of Providence is open from April 1 through November 30 daily, sunrise to sunset. It can be accessed from either Route 5 in

Holyoke Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, that lies between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,238. Located north of Springfield ...

or from Jones Ferry Road in

. Restrooms near the property are available seasonally only. This property is open for birdwatching,

cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreation ...

snowshoeing Snowshoes are specialized outdoor gear for walking over snow. Their large footprint spreads the user's weight out and allows them to travel largely on top of rather than through snow. Adjustable bindings attach them to appropriate winter footwe ...

(in season), picnicking, and moderate

hiking Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...

. Dog walking or bicycle use on the property is strictly prohibited. Public transportation is available.

References

{{Protected areas of Massachusetts Geography of Holyoke, Massachusetts Protected areas of Hampden County, Massachusetts Nature reserves in Massachusetts The Trustees of Reservations