seeking local ops on Redrock MA area improvement

Hi all,
I'm a freelance writer and climber. Last March I sent my first outdoor route, The Zipper, at the lovely Redrocks in Gloucester. I've thrown myself into the sport this past year, until of course, Covid. Now that I'm stuck inside, in between staring longingly out the window and tying practice anchors off the banister, I've been working on my writing portfolio.

I'm starting on a **theoretical** grant proposal. I'll be writing up a proper, full-length proposal, asking for $$ to improve the Red Rocks climbing area. This project will be good practice for the sort of work I'm pursuing professionally, and I'm excited to spend time thinking & writing about this special spot. I'd like to know what changes or improvements, if any, would you like to see at RR?

I'm seeking your input out of respect for local culture and traditions (and because I couldn't write a decent, if **theoretical**, proposal without doing real research). Cape Ann climbers have been out there in the thorns for much longer than me, and I know that for much of that time, folks have resisted development. I'm happy to discuss that as well, but please, don't shit on my life. I'm intimidated to be posting on this forum. But, like most of the outdoor community right now, I don't have that much else to do. Ha, ha.

Thanks your time! Please feel welcome to contact me directly if you'd prefer, and stay well. -Brooke

I think improving signage in places more apt to braided desert trails and some trail work might be useful.

Also anchor/ bolt replacement.

I think contacting locals would be your best bet for advice though, curious why this was posted in the northeast forums. 

Ben V wrote: I think improving signage in places more apt to braided desert trails and some trail work might be useful.

Also anchor/ bolt replacement.

I think contacting locals would be your best bet for advice though, curious why this was posted in the northeast forums. 

Not that Red Rock, this Redrock:

There are tons of great local climbing organizations across the country that work on exactly what you describe.
https://www.accessfund.org/meet-the-access-fund/our-network/local-climbing-organizations

It seems like these folks would be a great starting point: https://snecc.org/

Good luck!

TO AVOID CONFUSION: this is in regards to a small climbing area crag in eastern Massachusetts.

Brooke, what kind of improvements do you want to see
and at which crags specifically?  We could go out this week and do easy stuff like moving brush and blow downs over trails if you’re really stoked to get out and do something. It’s the best time of year for it since the foliage and bugs arent out yet.

Have you been in contact with Tim McGivern from SNECC? He heads up the organization last time I checked and was talking about a cleanup of Oz last
November. I don’t think it’s anything that requires grant money though.

Marc801 C wrote:

Not that Red Rock, this Redrock:

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105908065/redrock-and-vicinity

That's hilarious who did that?

Right on never been there but good luck!

There are a few different local organizations that work with local governments, landowners and other stakeholders to develop parking, trail maintenance and secure access. Before starting in on any efforts to improve things at any Cape Ann crag, you may want to get in touch with those orgs. Specifically Tim McGivern, Matt Natti and others. Entering the realm of "hardware replacement" is one of those universally slippery slopes. CapeAnn not excluded. The history of the somewhat limited local climbing is long.

It's where I and many of my still-climbing, climbing friends and partners learned. You wouldn't want well-intended improvements to be seen as counterproductive to the efforts of other organizations already at work in the area.

I think Brooke is still at step one asking for input:

 I'd like to know what changes or improvements, if any, would you like to see at RR?

One improvement could be overflow parking sign. I didn't realize until recently you could park at other side of bridge. A map at parking lot could be something else. Are these needed? Not sure, but ideas. Trail maintenance always useful. 

Shoot me a message. We can talk. I have a few ideas, and I’m sure others do as well.