Help Shape the Future of Climbing in Great Barrington: Open Space Survey

We have an important opportunity to shape the future of climbing in Great Barrington, MA. The town is preparing their ten-year Open Space and Recreation Plan which will outline opportunities to improve open space and recreation, guide the Planning Board and other committees, and provide an avenue for accessing funding for these initiatives.

Let’s show how important access to rock climbing is in Great Barrington, home to some of the best rock in the Northeast. We’d like to see secure, public access to the climbing at East Mountain (Reservoir Rocks), as well as a parking lot and other trailhead amenities clearly outlined in the Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Please take two minutes to fill out the survey the town is using to solicit feedback on outdoor recreation. Please also share this with anyone you think may be interested in improving climbing access in Great Barrington. Survey is available until Nov. 15th, 2025.

SURVEY LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GreatBarringtonOSRP

Here are a few important details when filling out the survey:

Question 7, the two best areas to select here are: 1) East Mountain State Forest; and 2) Other – where you can manually write in “Reservoir Rocks”

Question 8, please make sure to click Rock Climbing. If you are interested at all in getting mountain bike trails developed as well, please check Bicycling – Mountain too!

Question 12, this is the opportunity to say a bit more about the importance of preserving access to outdoor climbing at Reservoir Rocks and the improvements that could be made there. A sample statement is below to refer to as you wish:

“The Town of Great Barrington has a significant opportunity to formally recognize the incredible rock climbing and hiking that occurs across East Mountain, specifically above the reservoir. Great Barrington is uniquely endowed with this valuable asset. Expanding East Mountain’s outdoor recreational activities to include rock climbing, more hiking, and potentially even mountain biking, has tremendous potential to provide a valuable resource to the community and to enhance the draw for recreation tourism leading to economic development. What the area needs most is secure public access and adequate parking.”

Question 13, we suggest marking Accessibility, Parking and Information. To answer “What can be done about it” we suggest something along the lines of “Providing secure access, parking, and information for the rock climbing on East Mountain (the Reservoir)”

Question 15, it would be good here to say Rock Climbing

Question 18, we suggest marking Strongly Support for creating new public recreation areas.

Thank you all for your help. The strength of our response is crucial to ensure our voice is heard and the town understands the importance of preserving access to the incredible rock climbing in Great Barrington!