Thanks to V. Long for photo of Karen Golab and her puppy enjoying the snowy trail on the Casey Road Conservation Land.

The public is invited to a Winter Dog Walk from 10 am to noon on Saturday, January 26 on the Town-owned conservation land at the end of Casey Road off Governor’s Rd. This community event will provide dogs and people an opportunity to enjoy the winter outdoors together as well as help raise funds for a conservation easement on the property.

The outing will start with a short update on the status of the conservation project and trail improvement plans. Then, dogs and their owners and other walking enthusiasts will explore up to 2 miles round trip of pleasant walking trails traversing this 79-acre forested property. After an easy flat section through wooded uplands, participants may continue on a trail that heads downhill and crosses a couple of small streams before reaching the attractive ice-rimmed Lyman Brook.

“I know a lot of dogs and people start to go stir crazy inside this time of year,” explained Karen Golab, who came up with the idea for a Dog Walk to get dogs and people outside. Golab is Chair of the Casey Road Land Protection Committee (a sub-committee of the Milton Conservation Commission), which has planned the event. Committee member Cynthia Wyatt added, “We hope people will take advantage of this unique activity that includes their pets! Once people see this beautiful piece of property, we think they’ll want to support the Town effort to conserve it forever. We’re suggesting a donation of $10; please give more if you can, or less if you can’t.” Golab chimed in, “And we’re very grateful to our primary business sponsor, Milton Veterinary Hospital, as well as co-sponsors Super Groomer, Branch Hill Farm and committee member Cynthia Wyatt, and supporter Index Packaging.”

Dog owners are requested to use good judgement in deciding if this group activity is appropriate for their pet, and asked to keep pets on leash and under their control at all times. No advance registrations needed. Trail maps of the Casey Road property will be available along with complimentary snacks. Cars may be parked along the right side of Casey Road. Attendees are asked to please respect the neighborhood by driving slowly and not blocking or turning into private drives. If the temperature is below 25F, veterinarians recommend keeping dogs safe at home. In that case, the Dog Walk will be postponed until spring and this event will become a Snowshoe Walk.

The Casey Road Land Protection Committee is working with MMRG, which will hold the conservation easement to ensure the property never gets developed. The Town of Milton will continue to own the land. Click here to read more about the project to conserve it. Click here to make a tax deductible donation to support the Casey Road Easement Project (scroll down to Casey Rd easement campaign).

The mission of the Milton Conservation Commission is to fulfill the mandates of RSA 36-A and the conservation goals in the Milton Master Plan, which it works to accomplish through conservation projects that protect Milton’s water resources, forestlands, wildlife habitat, productive farmland, and recreational areas. Additional benefits are the preservation of Milton’s scenic beauty and rural character, supporting NH’s vibrant tourism industry and safeguarding the water quality of Milton Three Ponds and the town wells. This natural resource protection has long term benefit to Milton’s economy.