AVIS land matters
Andover youth help clear Taft & Shawsheen River reservations

By David Doub, AVIS land manager
Photo by Carole Chanler
Pictured are the members of the youth team that cleared trails and cut overgrown areas in the Taft and Shawsheen River reservations recently. Leaders are Carole Chanler, AVIS member; Kevin Talbot,an  AVIS warden, and Bill Fahey Andover Youth Services Director. Further youth work projects to cleanup and clear  AVIS reservations, are being planned.

Thanks to twenty boys and girls giving their time and energy, AVIS Taft and Shawsheen River reservations are improved for better access and use. Led by Carole Chanler, AVIS member; Kevin Talbot, AVIS warden; and Bill Fahey, Director of Youth Services everyone worked hard to clear overgrown areas for two days recently.
The results are easily visible. As you approach Horn Bridge on Central Street, glance to the left. The young people cleared the brush from the riverbank, one of Andover's most scenic, to open up an unobstructed and greatly improved view of the bank extending across open meadow.
The other location is off Salem Street at Coventry Lane. A trail cut through a border of loosestrife has made one of the best blueberry patches in Andover more accessible. This trail provides easy access for the neighborhood and all who walk to the Taft Reservation trails in the woods beyond.
Bill Fahey plans to schedule future work projects on AVIS properties by teen-agers from the Andover High School's Outdoor Club.
Andover is fortunate to have its young people taking an active role in preserving our open spaces.