North Adams City Councilor kayaks Hoosic River to raise funds to protect waterways

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (WWLP) – A City Councilor in North Adams is kayaking in the Hoosic River for a 70-mile journey to raise funds for waterway protection and revitalization.

On Tuesday, North Adams City Councilor Andrew Fitch began his vacation kayaking from the Cheshire Reservoir to the mouth of the Hoosic that flows into the Hudson River in New York. Over five days, Fitch is navigating over many dams, flood chutes, and other obstructions along the river.

“The revitalization of the Hoosic River provides an enormous opportunity for North Adams and the communities along its shores for safety, economic opportunity, and the beautification of a vital asset. I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday than supporting and fundraising for an initiative so important to the Northern Berkshires”, says Fitch, on the eve of his trip.

The money raised will be donated to the Hoosic River Revival organization, a non-profit agency working to modernize a flood risk mitigation system and enhance the waterways, riverbanks, bike paths, and accessibility to the river. Working alongside Fitch are his boyfriend, Laurence Wilson, and several Hoosic River Revival Board members.

“Hoosic River Revival is a nonprofit which works to rehabilitate North Adams flood chutes with a modern flood risk mitigation system. This project also hopes to revitalize the surrounding areas and create a system that will ensure the city has a healthy, attractive river with an array of public, riverfront places and greenways that will promote relaxation, recreation, economic development, and community connections”, said Judy Grinnell, Founder and Board Member of Hoosic River Revival.

Fitch’s goal is to raise $10,000, donate by visiting paypal.com, and follow his journey from Cheshire, Mass. to Schaghticoke, New York on Facebook .

MAP: Andrew Fitch’s river cruise

Fitch walked across Massachusetts from Connecticut to Vermont last year and raised $6,200 for ROOTS Teen Center. The nonprofit agency provides safe, fun, and educational space for teens of the Northern Berkshires. He also raised over $5,000 for the National Network of Abortion funds in 2022 by walking across the state from Williamstown to Provincetown.

Latest Local News Headlines

Fentanyl found during traffic stop for illegal Massachusetts window tint

September’s weather forecast for Massachusetts

Massachusetts native Olympic medalist Stephen Nedoroscik to join ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Elderly woman praises Springfield officer after hit and run crash

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.