Annual Reports - 2012

REPORT OF THE TRAILS COMMITTEE  - 2012

2012 in some ways was a repeat of the difficult year of 2011 with naturally occurring events and the previous damage suffered from the tornado and early snow, having weakened many trees making them susceptible to Hurricane Sandy and normal snow loading. This resulted in a continuing effort over the year to keep the trails clear of down trees.

The year was very active with trail improvement activities including; construction of a replacement bridge, removal of two old bridges, trail building educational workshop, trail marking, installed emergency locator system, development of a master plan, extension of a bog bridge, final trail routing determination on Leadmine Mountain, completion of the Trolley Line extension to East Brimfield Dam, partial construction of a new single track trail and construction of a new equipment shed.

Beyond the borders of the town, the Trails Committee continues to work with our neighboring communities to both coordinate inter-town connectivity and to share knowledge. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to participate and support the efforts to reach a multi-town trail system through assistance, construction and land use.

The committee has an acute respect for the town open space, and looks to preserve with emphasis on sustainability and wet lands protection, while seeking a balance between public access and the natural environment.

Organization

The Trails Committee, operating at the direction of the Board of Selectmen as an appointed committee, provides for the development, maintenance, coordination and promotion of the Sturbridge trail system.

The committee also monitors and acts in an advisory capacity in regard to public lands, for the respective entity exercising care custody and control.

The committee is made up of five voting members and five nonvoting associate members.

Committee members:                                        

• Brandon Goodwin, Chairman                               
• Richard Paradise                                                
• Doug Quigley                                            
• Pat McGarrah

Associate members:

• Louie Berthiaume
• Tom Chamberland
• Fritz Reeve
• David Vadenais
• Meg Germain

In addition to the above named committee members we would like to recognize the following individuals for their involvement and support:

• Dave Peterkin           
• Dave Barnicle (Conservation Commission)
• Greg Morse (DPW)                        
• Glenn Colburn & Erin Jacque (Conservation Agent)

Volunteers

Volunteerism continues to be the heart of the Trails Committee, the committee has taken a step back in the number of volunteers that assist on major events over the past year, but at the same time the core group has become more dedicated and has grown greatly in their expertise. This has not hindered the trail development over the year as the focus has been to leverage the type of volunteers we have to match the projects. As the committee shifts to more remote single track type trails, the committee will need to develop a much larger base of volunteers as the construction of single track trails are much more labor intensive and do not lend to the use of mechanized equipment.

This year the Trails Committee volunteers working on construction related activities (not including normal meetings or administrative duties) generated 840hrs of labor valued at $18,303.00. In addition, the committee received materials and equipment use donations valued at $11,713.00.

Local businesses continue to provide the right equipment at the right time to push forward specific initiatives. These include Craig Moran of Sturbridge Service Center and Danny Wight of Jelly Stone Park.  Special recognition is deserved for Phil Cambo of Northern Tree in his continuous and generous support. Phil is always available with the special piece of equipment that is needed to set a pole for a bridge, skid logs, or support the next committee project.

Support from Greg Morse and the Department of Public Works has been invaluable with getting us the raw materials and equipment support at just the right time.

A new program, “Friends of the Sturbridge Trails” was promoted by Dave Barnicle and adopted late in the year to help further the goals of the committee by being the mechanism to generate additional financial resources via donations and to assist in other activities to promote the trail system. Look for more information on the website early in 2013.

We continue to look for more regular volunteers that can assist with not just hands on building, but also the administrative side of a well running Trails Committee. If you would like to lend assistance please contact any of the committee members.

Recreational Trails Master Plan Steering Committee

The Recreational Trails Master Plan Steering Committee (RTMPSC) worked over the year completing the task of creating a Trails Master Plan. Several public hearings were held gaining input from the public, resulting in modifications to the original document created by Kay-Linn Enterprises with input from the RTMPSC and other town departments and committees. The result is a comprehensive plan identifying current conditions, vision, goals, objectives, technical aspects, mapping and supporting information. The full text of the Recreational Trails Master Plan is posted on the town web site under “Trails Committee”.

The Trails Committee past work and current projects was put under scrutiny by the contractor (Kay-Linn Enterprises). This resulted in suggestions for how things can be done better, but overall affirmed that the committee has been on the right track to date.

The RTMPSC is made up of nine members consisting of representation from several town committees and residents.

Members:

• Tom Chamberland - (Chairman)
• Brandon Goodwin - Trails Committee
• Calvin Montigny – Business Community
• Mike Moran – Community Preservation Committee
• Jeff Bonja - Conservation Commission
• Richard Paradise – Resident
• Dave Barnicle - Resident

Regional Trails

The Trails Committee represents Sturbridge at the inter-town Regional Trails Committee meetings. The Regional Trails Committee is a coalition of members representing Sturbridge, Southbridge, Brimfield, Holland, US Army Corps of Engineers, Palmer and the Grand Trunk Trail Blazers. The Regional Trails Committee works to coordinate activities and share ideas in regard to trails and their use. Surrounding towns are becoming more organized and have made significant progress in development of the Titanic Rail Trail (Grand Trunk Trail) as it traverses Southbridge and Brimfield.

Funding

The development of trails within the town, received funding from several sources depending upon availability and applicability to the land upon which the trail resides. The primary funding sources are federal, state and private grants, Community Preservation Act, Betterment Fund, donations and volunteers.

This year the Trails Committee made no requests for town funding. However, the committee was the recipient of a DCR education grant ($8910.00). This grant was used to conduct an open public training session on how to build sustainable trails. The training consisted of both classroom and hands on work in building a single track trail.

An additional grant request for equipment was successful ($60,000.00), resulting in the purchase of a compact excavator and all terrain utility vehicle. This grant was created by the Town Administrator, in conjunction with the Department of Public Works, and solicited funds made available by the commonwealth for tornado recovery.

The Sturbridge Tourist Association also lent financial assistance to print brochures for the kiosks and tourist center along with purchasing additional signs for the Leadmine Mt. area.

Accomplishments

Grand Trunk Trail Ed Calcutt Bridge to River Rd
This project is funded by a federal transportation grant and has been underway for several years. The project is currently with the commonwealth at the 25% design review point. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is currently looking for ways to pass the federal funding to the US Army Corp of Engineers as the work will principally be on USACE property.

Heins Farm
Two sections of bog bridge were added to the existing bridge to extend the total length and better protect runoff from the field. The Stafford Turnpike Trail saw late season improvements to the grade and cross slope, unfortunately the weather prevented final grading but the trail is fully passable. Additional directional signage was installed including emergency location identifiers on the trails. Directional signs were also installed on Stallion Hill Rd and Route 20. Numerous trees were cut and removed as a result of storm events and the property brochure was revised and printed for distribution.

Grand Trunk Trolley Line Section
The Trolley Line Trail was extended from the original terminus at the Quinebaug River to the East Brimfield Dam, a distance of ¼ mile. The work was accomplished by the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and Sturbridge DPW. Funding was provided from the Department of Conservation and Recreation via a joint grant application between Sturbridge, Brimfield and the USACE. The trail is part of the inter-town Titanic Rail Trail, and is an ABA compliant trail with a crushed aggregate surface. The trail offers scenic views of the Quinebaug River and East Brimfield Dam outfall and offers viewing areas to sit and enjoy the river. The trail is suitable for strollers and wheel chairs.

Leadmine Mountain Conservation Land
Three old bridges were removed from the area formerly know as Camp Robinson Crusoe. A replacement bridge (#8) was built by volunteers on the “Old Growth Trail”. The bridge is constructed of telephone pole beams, a pressure treated lumber deck and is complete with railings. The approaches were improved and stabilized with rock and wood chips. Look for the fish in the stream as you gaze over the railing. A large volume of damaged trees were removed and chipped on site. The trees were collected from along side the trails and were a result of the previous years storm events. Daniel Peck, an Eagle Scout candidate continued work on the “Gateway” single track trail as his Eagle Scout project. This trail had been previously started as part of the trails training class that was held. The trail is now roughly half completed. The trail is a loop trail and originates near the Shattuck Rd parking area. When completed, the trail will be a great practice area before moving to the more extensive single track trails. The Red and Blue trails received new trail markers for better identification. The White trail was closed as a result of logging operations and the necessity to reroute the North end, alleviating the disturbance to the wetlands. A contract was signed and completed with Kay-Linn Enterprises to GPS final new trail locations, and re-routing of existing cart path trails around wetland areas.

River Lands
While no trail specific work was done on this property, the Trails Committee volunteers did build a 10x18 equipment shed to house the new equipment received via a grant.  The Sturbridge DPW, with funding provided by a previous year Trails Committee CPA funding request, was able to resolve a major culvert washout and stabilize erosion into the Quinebaug River, thus enabling future access to the property interior and trail development work.

Challenges

As the number of hikers increase, so do the number of dogs on the trail making for a rise in conflicts. Compliance and strengthening of existing town rules concerning controlling of pets may need to become more aggressive in the future.

Current and Planned Projects

The following lists current projects and the projects in the planning stages.

Arbutus Park Trail
Work is currently on going in the area formerly known as Camp Robinson Crusoe on the Leadmine Mountain Wildlife Management Area with the construction of the Arbutus Park Trail.

Old Growth Trail
Final gravel surfacing is planned to improve the tread to be ABA (wheelchair) compliant.

Leadmine Mountain Shattuck Rd Kiosk
The trails committee continued it’s partnership with the Tantasqua Regional High School carpentry class by supplying materials for the construction of a kiosk for the Shattuck Road parking area. The carpentry class will provide the labor to build the kiosk and the Computer Aided Design class will create the detailed design drawings.

Leadmine Mountain West Ridge Trail Crossing C & D
This trail originates at the Heins Farm Trailhead Parking area and continues south. Crossing “C” is the next wetlands crossing and will involve construction of a bridge. Crossing “D” is a small culvert that requires grade improvements.

Grand Trunk Trail Ed Calcutt Bridge to River / Farquhar Rd
This ¾ mile section of the Grand Trunk Trail is being constructed principally utilizing a Federal Highway Transportation Fund grant. The total project is valued at $590,460.00, broken down as federal $490,283.00, state $85,977.00, and the Town of Sturbridge matching $10,600.00. The state will manage the project under Mass DOT. The project is currently being designed by CME & Associates and is at the 25% design review point. No actual construction is anticipated in the 2013 season as the construction management and design stages will not be complete.

Grand Trunk Trail River Lands Phase I
All trail work on the River Lands is on hold at the direction of the Board of Selectmen pending determination of any remediation issues on the West end of the property. Initial planning is in place for a new parking area off Stallion Hill Road, and the first phase of trail improvements. Future parking area visibility improvements are expected to be completed in 2013.

Grand Trunk Trail Fiskdale
A short 100’ ABA compliant connector has been proposed and is under consideration by the Conservation Commission. The section acts to bring the Current Trolley Line Trail out to Holland Rd for future connection to the River Lands section of the Grand Trunk Trail.

Leadmine Mountain CRC Area Trail Head Parking
The Trails Committee is working in collaboration with the Conservation Committee to accelerate construction of a new trailhead parking lot off Old Sturbridge Village Road. Preliminary design is complete and a determination of estimated cost is under review. Funding sources are not in place at this time. Possible sources are logging revenue or the CPA. If logging funds are used then this project will most likely be delayed. A third construction option is under review in regard to the planned removal of the dams on Hamant Brook. The dam removal will need an equipment staging area thus enabling a potential mechanism to either partially build or fully build the future parking area.

The following lists active Sturbridge trails:

Heins Farm Conservation Area
Pond Loop Trail, (.66 Miles), Status: Open
This Trail is a universal access, federal ABA /ADA compliant trail, built suitable for wheel chair access. The trail surface is fine crushed gravel with gentle terrain changes and includes a small bridge and bench with a view of a small pond. The trail makes a loop starting at the Heins Farm Trail Head parking lot.

Cabin Loop Trail, (.5 Miles), Status: Open
The cabin loop trail is a universal access loop trail with a native material surface. This trail is reached off of the Stafford Turnpike Trail.

Stafford Turnpike Trail, (1.2 Miles), Status: Open
The Stafford Turnpike Trail is a universal access loop trail with a native material surface. The trail originates across Leadmine Rd from the Heins Farm Trail Head Parking Lot. The trail includes an open meadow that is being managed for regeneration of wildlife habitat. The trail follows the edge of a large hay meadow and offers a vista view and benches for sitting. The original stagecoach route known as the Stafford Turnpike makes up a significant part of the trail.

Leadmine Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Arbutus Park Trail, (1.8 Miles), Status: Under Construction / open
When completed, a high percentage of the Arbutus Park Trail will be a federal ABA/ADA compliant trail. The trail makes a loop encompassing two ponds and bordering a third. The trail includes three bridge crossings of Hamant Brook.

Old Growth Trail, (.14 Miles), Status: Open / future improvements planned
This is a short trail with a small loop that provides a view of the North pond. This trail highlights what an old growth forest looks like, with large white pine trees and an open forest floor with sections of ferns. This trail suffered tornado related damage but provides an opportunity to see cross-sections of a large cut-up white pine.

Red Trail, (1.03 Miles), Status: Open / future improvements planned
This is a loop trail originating out of the Heins Farm Trail Head parking lot. The trail is passable but a hiker may encounter wet crossings.

Blue Trail, (1.68 Miles), Status: Open / future improvements planned
This is a loop trail originating out of the Heins Farm Trail Head parking lot. The trail is passable but a hiker may encounter wet crossings.

White Trail, (1.39 Miles), Status: Closed / future improvements planned
This is a loop trail originating out of the Heins Farm Trail Head parking lot. Trail is not fully passable because of tornado damage. It is also minimally marked.

West Ridge Trail, (Estimated 2.0 Miles), Status: Under Construction
This trail is accessed from the Heins Farm Trail Head Parking lot and generally travels South along the Western ridges of the Leadmine Mountain Conservation area. The trail is intended to connect the Heins Trail Head Parking Area, the future Camp Robinson Crusoe Trail, and the future South Trail Head Parking Area off Leadmine Rd. The trail is not marked. Two bridges have been installed and additional work is planned for 2013.

Note: Several additional trails are planned for this property. Numerous cart paths exist, some will be utilized and others abandoned as most appropriate for construction of sustainable trails.

Grand Trunk Trail
The Grand Trunk Trail is part of the 66 mile Titanic Rail Trail. Six miles run through Sturbridge. The original rail bed roughly parallels the Quinebaug River.

Westville Lake Community Trail, (1.8 Miles), Status: Open
The trail makes a loop around the Westville Dam pool. The trail includes sections of the Grand Trunk Trail and offers views of the dam and the pool. The trail offers interpretive signs and eight benches.

Grand Trunk Trail Westville Section, (1.2 Miles), Status: Open
The trail originates at the US Army Corps of Engineers Westville Recreation Area parking lot and continues West (up river) to the Ed Calcutt Bridge. This is a Universal Access, ADA/ABA compliant trail. The trail offers scenic views overlooking the Quinebaug River.

Grand Trunk Trail Ed Calcutt Bridge to River/Farquhar Rd, (.8 Miles), Status: Under Construction
(access prohibited at this time)

Grand Trunk Trail River Lands, (1.3 Miles), Status: Closed
The trail originates at Stallion Hill Road opposite the Old Sturbridge Village parking lot continuing to Holland Road. The trail follows sections of the original rail bed roughly paralleling the Quinebaug River. The trail is currently closed at the direction of the Board of Selectmen pending determination of remediation actions.

Grand Trunk Trail Trolley Line, (.6 Miles), Status: Open
The trail originates at the Holland Rd Trail Head parking area and travels West to East Brimfield Dam.

Opacum Woods
The Opacum Woods is accessed from Old Brooke Circle. These trails are administered by the Opacum Land Trust. These trails suffered severe damage from recent natural events and may not be passable. For additional information contact Opacum Land Trust.

Green Trail, (.25 Miles),
Provides access to Perry’s Point Wetlands View

Blue Trail, (1.02 Miles)

Yellow Trail, (1.22 Miles)

Red Trail, (.31 Miles)

Wells State Park
Wells State Park has 10 miles of trails open to public use. See the following link for more information:  http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/well.htm
 

Respectfully Submitted on behalf of the Sturbridge Trails Committee,

Randy Redetzke
Chairman