Dalton Committee Wants to Mitigate Damage on Pines Trails
DALTON, Mass. — The Open Space and Recreation Committee met for the first time in six months on Thursday.
No formal votes were taken but members brainstormed ways to mitigate damage from motorized vehicles on The Pines trails, which are the committee's focal project.
They aim to improve the community's awareness of the trailhead, accessibility, and elevate the property's value as a town-owned open recreational space.
Members are aware that hikers aren't the only ones enjoying the trails, as ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles also use them. The trails are easily accessible from High St. and it was pointed out that many ride from their homes.
"I want to be really careful about the approach," Cheryl Rose said, explaining that she wants it to be a friendly, soft, approach that promotes a shared respect for the grounds.
Jared Shannon, who was nominated as chair, said it is worth communicating with local snowmobile clubs first because they may be the easiest to reach.
"The people who are doing it responsibly are very mindful of the ground they're riding on," he said, explaining that if the snow base is not deep enough many snowmobilers will not ride on it.
For dirt bikes and ATVs, they are going to impact the trail at some point, he added.
When the committee was established in March 2020 following the update of the open space recreation plan, it decided that The Pines was the most natural choice for a first project.
Rose explained that the town purchased the property about six years ago and she wanted it to remain an open space.
"But I know it could use a little love and attention and sort of brought attention to the value of what a town asset that is," she said.
"It is kind of a somewhat unique property given that it is right down here in the residential area, we're right on the Appalachian Trail, we're right up from the senior center. There was just a lot of reasons why there's a lot of potential for things."
Included in the forest management plan is addressing the trailhead's invasive species. They include barberry and honeysuckle, which Rose has described as a "huge" undertaking.
The committee was able to secure around $60,000 in grant monies and implemented trail work this summer through work with Greenagers, a youth environment community organization.
At the next meeting, members hope to have gathered some input on signage for motorized vehicles on the trails. They also discussed the recruitment of new members and how the committee will work with the Select Board on items that concern it.
Tags: outdoor recreation,
