Residents are invited to come learn about (and support) a Village of Shelburne Falls, Buckland-side public pocket park that will have bicyclist amenities. The forum will be held on February 7 at 7 p.m. at the Buckland Town Hall.

Central, strategic, and at the heart of Shelburne Falls, a steep triangular lot at the intersection of Conway, Depot, and State streets will provide an uncommon opportunity to expand the unique regional draw of the Bridge of Flowers and the many offerings in the village.

The project will convert the currently inaccessible steep piece of land into a gathering and viewing destination and garden. Plus as a new public space, it will contain a much-needed covered pavilion for picnicking, gathering, small events, viewing, and rain and sun shelter.

Also, the proposed spiral stairway is a strategic link to Depot Street, Salmon Falls businesses, and the historic Railway Freight Yard. The sculptural stairs provide for an elevated overlook with superb views of the Deerfield River and surrounding hills. The new pocket park will help welcome and host locals, bicyclists, and all-important visitors to downtown. Its implementation will convert a strategic and underused tract of land into a lasting worthy destination and serve as a manageable project bolstering and celebrating community pride.

The public is invited to review the draft conceptual drawings and share their views on what might be best.

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The Buckland-side pocket park and Conway Street mosaic murals projects can be seen on the crowdfunding website of the Shelburne Falls Initiative: Connecting Commerce & Life in Downtown Shelburne Falls at Patronicity.com/SFPocketPark. The site describes the projects and how contributions large and small will ensure the creation of the mosaics and construction of the pocket park.

The Franklin County CDC is fiscal sponsor for this project, so for those wanting to donate directly to the FCCDC, please mail a check to 324 Wells Street, Greenfield MA 01301. Please make your check payable to FCCDC/Shelburne Falls Initiative (SFI).

For more information on the Shelburne Falls Initiative and the two projects contact Whit Sanford at (413) 489-3160 or at holawhit@gmail.com.