Land Trust Days slated at Cumberland Monastery

CUMBERLAND – The Monastery in Cumberland will be the site of the kickoff event for 2018 Land Trust Days on Friday, Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m., hosted by the Cumberland Land Trust and Rhode Island Land Trust Council. It will feature a guided forest hike and a chance to discover some little-known Rhode Island history at the Monastery

The history of the land surrounding the Monastery in Cumberland includes events of King Phillip’s War and the later arrival of Trappist Monks. The Cumberland Land Trust will take participants on a hike through this forested area, stopping to point out the old monk’s quarry and the site of “Nine Men’s Misery.” This hike is a two-mile round trip, but non-hikers are welcome to linger and enjoy the beautiful Monastery grounds and flowers. The Monastery property was purchased by the Town of Cumberland in the 1970s. It is now home to the town’s library, senior center, and additional municipal offices along with seven miles of trails on 481-acres of conserved land.

“Land Trust Days has been remarkably successful in the past six years by encouraging Rhode Islanders to get outdoors, spend time in nature and discover the beautiful protected open space lands in Rhode Island that are very close to where they live,” said Rupert Friday, executive director of the R.I. Land Trust Council. “If you ask people to think about their favorite place to relax, most people picture themselves in an outdoor site. Land Trust Days highlights just how many of those special places exist in Rhode Island by inviting individuals and families out to events in their area to enjoy them.”

Land Trust Days highlights the outdoor areas like the Monastery that the state’s land trusts - most of which are entirely volunteer run organizations - work to protect and promote yearround. In addition to their natural beauty, these special places promote the health of Rhode Island’s citizens, its environment, and the economy, and give everyone a chance to “discover their own true nature.” Getting out in the fresh air to unwind, unplug, relax and participate in outdoor recreational activities such as taking walks improves physical and mental health. Everyone enjoys these benefits of protecting natural areas in our communities. Open spaces also add to our sense of community, by simply providing “green spaces” to be enjoyed by everyone.

There will be two starting times for the 2-mile guided hikes: 5:30and 6:30 p.m. Visitors who do not wish to walk are welcome to experience the peaceful Monastery grounds and enjoy the beautiful flowers.

The Monastery hike and all of the upcoming Land Trust Days events, which will run from August 10 through September 30, urge individuals and families to “Discover Your True Nature” by getting outside and enjoying the state’s special places.

For more information on the Monastery hike, please contact: Debbie Mitchell via email at debamitchell@yahoo.com.

The Land Trust Days calendar of events and activities with more detailed information can be found on the website at: www.RILandTrustDays.org.

There is something for everyone. The roster of activities over two months allows people to scope out and plan which activities they want to attend and to mark their calendars. People are also encouraged to join Land Trust Days on MeetUp and Facebook to receive notifications about upcoming activities.