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Northfield, MA – April 22, 2022 – FirstLight Power today announced the company’s 2022 spring and summer recreation plans for Franklin County. With most federal and state pandemic-related restrictions lifting, most of the outdoor and recreational areas that FirstLight manages will be fully operational for the first time in two years.

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to beautiful New England this summer,” said Len Greene, Head of Government Affairs & Communications. “We are excited to be able to re-open most of our facilities, and we hope people will come discover the area’s lovely rivers, lakes, and trails.”

Turners Falls Fishway viewing:  The Fishway will once again open for the spring migration. Visitors can come and enjoy watching the fish make their way up the Connecticut River. Hours for the migration viewing are Wednesday through Sunday 9am-5pm from May 14th through June 12th. The Fishway is located on Avenue A in Montague behind the Town Hall. For visitors who prefer to remain outside, a monitor with a live feed from the Fishway will once again be available for viewing from the bike path.  The Fishway is free of charge.

Campgrounds now accepting reservations: FirstLight’s beautiful waterfront campgrounds at Barton Cove and Munns Ferry will be open for camping beginning May 27th. Please visit firstlightpdev.wpengine.com/recreation and click on the “Campground” link to make a reservation online. Reservations by phone will also be available at 413 863-9300 beginning May 25th. Face masks will not be required at the site unless the public health guidance changes. Drinking water will once again be available at two locations at the Barton Cove campground.  Munn’s Ferry requires you to bring your own drinking water.

FirstLight’s Barton Cove paddle rental facility: We have 50 watercraft including canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards that can be rented for 2 hours or for the day. Each rental comes complete with personal flotation devices and paddles. Canoe and kayak rentals will begin on May 28th and run through September 5th. Canoe rentals are not offered during times of dangerous river flows, so call ahead for daily updates at 413-863-9300. The rental facility is at 82 French King Highway, Gill, MA and is open from 9-5 Monday-Friday and 9-6 Sat-Sun – last rentals start at 3:00.  The portage shuttle will not be available until after Memorial Day weekend – for updated information go to firstlightpdev.wpengine.com/recreation and click on the “Campground” link.  Free paddle passes will be available to ‘check out’ at the Gill, Montague, Erving, Greenfield, and Northfield public libraries.

Heritage river cruises: Due to labor shortages, we have not yet been able to hire a captain for the Heritage, but we are working hard to find one and hope to be able to offer river cruises later in the summer. Check firstlightpdev.wpengine.com/recreation for updates. If you know of experienced boat captains with a 25-ton Master’s license, please direct them to firstlightpdev.wpengine.com/careers to apply.

Riverview Picnic Pavilion: We are also accepting reservations for your events. Call 413-659-4426 or 800 859-2960 or write to northfield@firstlightpower.com. For more information go to firstlightpdev.wpengine.com/recreation and click on “Northfield Mountain Environmental and Recreation Center”

The Visitor’s Center at Northfield Mountain is open once again, including event spaces and restrooms, but the top floor display area is closed. For more information about any of our recreation offerings, please visit firstlightpdev.wpengine.com/recreation, call 413-863-9300, or follow us on Instagram @northfieldmountainrecreation or Facebook.

About FirstLight PowerFirstLight Power (FirstLight) is a leading clean power producer, developer and energy storage company in the Northeast with a portfolio that includes nearly 1,400 megawatts of pumped-hydro storage, battery storage, hydroelectric generation, and solar generation – the largest clean energy generation portfolio in New England today. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA and New Milford, CT, FirstLight provides stewardship of and recreational access to 14,000 acres of land and waters along the Connecticut, Housatonic, Shetucket, Still, and Quinebaug Rivers. To learn more, visit firstlightpdev.wpengine.com.

We welcome inquiries from the media, questions about our projects and recreation spaces, and gladly engage curiosity about our mission, vision, and more.

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