Who are Foley & Wallace?
Foley Field and Lake Wallace are situated on the old Belchertown State school property. Much of the old state school property is posted but the area surrounding the fields and swampy lake are open to public use. I often come here to enjoy the wildlife and let the dog run around. Below is the Belchertown public schools' description of the site.
The Belchertown Board Of Selectmen purchased a 66-acre parcel of land on the former state school property known as Foley Field and Lake Wallace from the Belchertown Economic Development Industrial Corporation during the summer of 2009. The Belchertown Parks, Beach & Recreation Department provides oversight to the property; however, the area is available to the local school district to use for sporting events and for students to explore the natural world that is in our backyard. Under the guidance of BHS students visit the site during the school day and an after-school Eco-Mentors Club pairs high school and elementary school students to explore and learn about the ecosystem and what species of animals consider this their habitat.
The goals for the development of this property include:
• creating an environmental education site for use by our students, and
• developing the area for passive and active recreation by all community members.
The posted coords will take you to an area where there is a welcome sign and parking. Take the time to read and appreciate the welcome sign. The numbers below will help you find the location of the cache. The cache is a small round plastic container hidden in the area. I have not been able to learn much about the namesakes of this area. Perhaps you can.
5-2-3 1-2-5 4-1-1 2-1-2 1-1-1 3-1-4 9-1-1 4-4-9
2-2-1 7-4-3 8-4-1 4-1-1 1-1-4 0-0-0 4-1-5 6-2-2
Note the cable gate behind the municipal complex leading to the fields may be closed but it's not too far a walk. Access and parking is also at the town municipal complex including the skate park area behind the police station next to Rt. 202. The abandoned old state school buildings are unsafe, posted and no parking is permitted.