A Call to Action for Bradley Boulders
Dear Climbing Community:
As you likely know Bradley Mountain is owned and managed by the New Britain Water Department and the City of New Britain and is currently closed to climbing. This closure has impacted many climbers in the region. Although the climbing area is closed, the RMF is dedicated to continuing this access effort. This process will take time but together we will have a larger voice to move things forward.
Here’s how you can help us:
Send a Letter on Behalf of the Climbing Community:
Help us by signing the letter attached herein, click the link above or copy/paste it into a document (don’t forget to edit the letter with your name and information) and send it to the New Britain Common Council. This letter can be used as a template to make your voice heard. We are encouraging physical letters over emails. If you feel that you have additional things to add to the letter please do so. If you want to write your own letter we also encourage that. If you choose to change the language please keep in mind that we are going for a positive - open language to encourage a response.
New Britain Common Council
27 West Main Street
New Britain, CT 06051
Subject: Request to open Bradley Bouldering Area
Dear New Britain Common Council,
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the enforced closure of the beloved Bradley Mountain Boulders, located between Crescent Lake and Shuttle Meadow Reservoir. I, along with many other climbers in the Northeast, urge the New Britain Common Council to work with the Ragged Mountain Foundation to come up with solutions over liability concerns to open this space for recreational use.
Since the late ‘70s, Bradley has played a significant role in fostering a vibrant outdoor community in central Connecticut, attracting climbers from far and wide and giving residents of New Britain the opportunity to experience world class bouldering. Over the years, this area has become popular, contributing to the local economy by supporting nearby businesses through climbers' patronage of restaurants, gas stations, and other services during their visits.
Over the years Bradley has offered me a unique and accessible opportunity to connect with nature, stay active, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The enforced closure of this cherished outdoor space has taken away something I love most about New Britain and left a void in the heart of our community.
I understand that the New Britain Water Department has expressed concerns about liability issues associated with rock climbing at Bradley. The Ragged Mountain Foundation and the Access Fund are offering assistance to ensure that all necessary measures are implemented, and that climbers are educated on responsible practices at Bradley. While people have climbed safely at Bradley for nearly 50 years, this partnership would further mitigate any risks, encourage responsible land stewardship, and would address any liability concerns.
I kindly request that you work with the Ragged Mountain Foundation, an Access Fund affiliate, to find a solution that addresses any of the New Britain Water Department’s concerns while allowing climbers to enjoy this valuable resource.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue, and I look forward to a positive resolution that will ensure the reopening of the Bradley Mountain Boulders.
Sincerely,
[Sign Your Name]
Your address
Moving Forward:
We will continue to reach out with more opportunities to help us work on gaining climbing access to Bradley in the near future. If you have questions or need additional guidance please feel free to email:
jchmiel1216@gmail.com, cifarelliK@gmail.com, and info@raggedmtn.org
For the time being we continue to ask everyone to not climb at Bradley. Climbers continuing to climb there with the enforced closure makes it even harder to build relations with the NBWD to work with us in opening climbing access. Please remind others of this as well.
Thank you in advance for your participation in any capacity you can give.
All my best,
Kevin Johnson
President / Chairman of the Board
Ragged Mtn Foundation
Help Us Get the Word Out
Please spread the word by printing these posters for your local business 8.5”x11” or 11’x17”
Also share on social media. ‘Post’ and ‘Story’ templates are available below. Don’t forget to share a link! Text content for the post is just below the images.
Copy and Paste this text for your Social Post
!!!! CALL TO ACTION !!!!
How you can help in the work towards gaining access to Bradley?
The RMF is asking the climbing community for help in regards to Bradley boulders. As you likely know Bradley Mountain is owned and managed by the New Britain Water Department and the City of New Britain and is currently closed to climbing. This closure has impacted many climbers in the region. Although the climbing area is closed, the RMF is dedicated to continuing this access effort. This process will take time but together we will have a larger voice to move things forward.
Make your Voice Heard:
👉Help us by signing and sending the letter, which you can find on our website via the link in the bio, and then send it to the New Britain Common Council. The letter can be used as a template to make your voice heard.
👉We are encouraging physical letters vs. emails. If you feel that you have additional things to add to the letter please do so. If you want to write your own letter we also encourage that. If you choose to change the language please keep in mind that we are going for a positive - open language to encourage a response.
We will continue to reach out to the climbing community in ways you can help in regards to gaining access to Bradley Boulders. It is also important during this time to not climb at Bradley. Climbing at Bradley will only hinder our efforts and relationship with the NBWD. We must as a climbing community respect the NBWD decision of enforced closure of climbing at Bradley.
👉
https://www.raggedmtn.org/blog/2023/10/10/a-call-to-action-for-bradley-boulders
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