Adams Con Comm Approves Greylock Glen Trail Improvements
ADAMS, Mass. — The Conservation Commission has approved improvements and fortifications for existing trails in the Greylock Glen.
The trail work, to be done by Pinnacle Trail Design, will make the trails stormwater resistant by fortifying them with gravel, stonework and other fixes. The project is funded by a $54,000 state Department of Conservation Recreation grant obtained by the Thunderbolt Ski Runners, who have worked with Pinnacle to create and maintain trails over the last several years.
"The weather has come, a lot more traffic has come. We've noticed some areas that could use more sustainability," said Josh Chittenden, representing the Thunderbolt Ski Runners at the commission's Thursday meeting. "And so, we looked at a grant and looked to Pinnacle for their expertise and to help fix some of these trails."
Chittenden noted that traffic on the trails has been high recently. Deanna Smith of Pinnacle Trail Design said they tried to look for the highest priority areas to improve.
"This year, obviously, it's been an exceptionally dry. But in previous years, some of these trails are perennially wet," she said. "They're very susceptible to run off and erosion just with regards to where some of them have been aligned and constructed."
Smith explained that specific fixes should vary from trail to trail, depending on what is needed.
"Some potential trail fixes for these areas include, but are not limited to, raising the tread and rock work," she said. "Low-impact sustainable trail design methodology. But nonetheless, it will hopefully fix up some of these trails so that they can be a little more robust and sustainable."
The board was supportive of the trail improvements. Commission Chair James Fassell said he thinks it is critical that the town maintain the trails at the glen.
"While they're having a recreation center being put at the foot of Greylock Glen, it is my opinion that this is what is going to bring people to the glen," he said. "People are going to use these trails."
The Greylock Glen has a total of 19 miles on 27 trails encompassing all ability levels. Most were put in by the state at a cost of about $3 million as part of the Phase 1 development of the glen and another two to three miles were added by the Ski Runners a couple years ago.
When asked about marketing the trails to residents and potential visitors, Smith said the proposed improvements should help bring people to them.
"One of the unique things about purposeful mountain bike trails is they kind of advocate for themselves," she said. "... I think just having positive feedback from riders and seeing trails that are purpose built for mountain biking and hiking that are sustainable goes a long way resonating with folks."
Commissioner Jeff Randal said he walked several of the trails to be improved. Only two of them, he said, fall under the commission's jurisdiction.
In other business, the board reorganized and unanimously voted to reinstate Fassell as chair. The group picked David Lipinski to be vice chair.
"I enjoy doing this, especially since we've gotten such a good board and such a full board now," Fassell said.
Tags: Greylock Glen, trails,
