Featherland Park was named after Featherland Farms, a large commercial poultry farm that once operated on this land until around 1960. According to the 1960 Town Meeting Minutes, all 40+ acres of Featherland Park were purchased by the town for a mere $29,950! During the first decade as a Town Park, Featherland saw new tennis courts, baseball fields, a skating rink... They even added bathroom facilities to accommodate all the townsfolk who were flocking to use the grounds.
Talk had also begun about building a ski area toward the latter part of the 1960's. But, no sign of a ski slope existed until the summer of 1971. Over several weeks during that summer, the mature trees were clear-cut by loggers. In the 1974 Annual Town Report, Parks & Recreation Commissioner, Arthur Walker and Frank Lundblad, mention that a beginner’s slope had already been carved out. That was likely the area that had been hewn by the loggers.
In that same 1974 Report, Parks and Recreation mentioned that they had undergone a feasibility study to develop a ski area during the previous year. The report concluded that the land was suitable enough for development and that the economics would also be viable and self-sustaining. A motion was put in place for a 3-trail ski area. They would use the access trail and the previously cut trail for beginners and develop a nearly 600-foot long expert slope. After some lively discussion, this motion was opposed by the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen, who voted it down. This lack of political support led to a lack of funding, which stopped the project dead in its tracks.
So, unfortunately the slope was never actually used for its intended purpose and the land slowly reverted back to its natural state. However, before trees reclaimed the area, there were still trails that had been carved into the hillside. Many locals took to the trails throughout the 1970's and used them for sledding and some even skied there. But, since a mechanical lift had never been installed, adventurers needed to walk back up to ski/sled down.
The ski area comprised of a single, straight wide slope about 75 feet wide and a curved trail on the southwest-facing slope about 40 feet wide. The curved trail was to the left of the main slope and together they formed a backwards capital letter "D". While the trees have completely reclaimed this area over the last four decades, visitors can still catch glimpses of what once was...
This multi-cache will take you on a tour of the planned ski trails: The curved trail, the straight trail and the access trail. Stage #1 of this multi will bring you slightly up into the end of the curved trail. In the Fall/Winter, you can still make out the trail and follow it up the hillside. While you will need to ascend the hillside to continue your journey, you don't need to bushwhack your way up the curved trail. Instead, I have included a "Bottom of the Backwards D" waypoint that will allow you to experience the walk back up to the top like they probably did back in the 1970's. Stage #2 will bring you up somewhere near the top, where the lift tower was intended to be.
Stages 1 and 2 are winter-friendly - but the final is decidedly not. Enjoy!
Congratulations are in order for BigDaddy23 who found this one after trekking and digging through at least two feet of snow! Brave or crazy... You decide! ;^)