Bedford Circuit Trails

Transcription

1 Bedford Circuit Trails More then 30 miles of Trails, paths and bikeways in Bedford, Designed to be works of art, thoughtfully planned and well maintained, equally sensitive to afternoon explorers and permanent residents. The White Dot and Yellow Dot Trails will highlight Bedford s rich geological, natural, historical landmarks, changing habitats, and business opportunities which will to come alive through an easy to walk and enjoyable experience. Goal: To contribute to and help maintain a safe, healthy, walkable and caring community 1

2 Table Of Contents Bedford Circuit Trails Value Page 3 Problems, Solutions, and Rating Page 4 Trail Markers and Locations Page 9 Bedford s Right of Passage for Davis, Lane and Middle School Students Page 11 2

3 17 November 2013 Bedford Circuit Trails Trail Walk Values, Problems, Solutions, and Rating Based on a discussion at the September 2011 at a Trail's Committee Meeting, on the Proposed Trail Connection Map we have identified two very possible and very likely "Bedford Circuit Trails" to link all conservation, and recreation lands in Bedford, with two Circle routes, both starting at the Bedford Public Library. Bedford Circuit Trail #1 (White Dot Trail): A 6.1 Mile (10K) Circuit Loop winding through Jenks Nature Trail, Bay Circuit Trail, Springs Brook Park, 9/11 Healing Garden, York, and Lane Farm. Mostly close to the center of town. Bedford Circuit Trail #2: (Yellow Dot Trail) A 22.9 Mile Circuit Loop winding through Jenks Nature Trail, Bay Circuit Trail, Elm Brook, Hartwell Town Forrest, MM Bike Way, Shawsheen Well Field, Velenti, Lexington Land Lock Area, WIlson Mill, Bacon/Clark Mill, Wilderness, Fawn Lake, Middlesex Community College, Gov.Winthrop, Hayden Highlands, Buehler Ponds, Mini Reid, Huckins Farm, Altmann (Winding close to a Walter Gropius House, a Frank Lloyd House & Land Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead), Carlson, Langone, Pine Grove Farm, Little Meadow, Clark Conservation, Papkeee Property, MM Railroad Extension, Mass Port Land, Dellovo, Former Pinceton Property, Mary Putnam Webber, Vanderhoof, then back to Public Library. Geologically, both trails run through the lakebed of the former Glacial Lake Concord. Trail #2 passes by an Esker or Kame in the Velenti Land as well as a Drumlin visible at Clark Conservation Land. Kame Terraces are visible in the area of Shawsheen Cemetary and at Davis School. There are several glacial erratics all of which were deposited between just 14,000 to 15,000 years ago. A likely kettle hole can be seen on the MCC section. Several dramatic bedrock outcropping together with the remains of a 1938 hurricane blow down all highlight the transition of vegetation from wetlands to uplands. Plant growth transition from open field to forest is also of interest, and has been happening since Interactive Trail Maps can be maintained and down loaded from the DPW website with links from the Board of Health, each school, Rotary, Historic Commission, Recreation, School Departments, Business is town, and others with websites that may want to promote this Bedford resource. With currently well over 22 miles of Trails, paths and bikeways in Bedford, the police have been actively exploring creative ways to assure public enjoyment and safety Value: Many of the wooded walkways will provide an opportunity of solitude. You will have an opportunity to learn and teach your children to have responsibility to others and to nature. Enjoy freedom and being unplugged. Being alone in moments of solitude will highlight your walk. If you do not teach a child to be alone they will always be lonely. (Alone Together by Sherry Turkle). I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life (Walden by Henry David Thoreau). A positive interaction between nature and business can serve as a goal to benefit us all. The best trails are works of art, thoughtfully planned and well maintained, equally sensitive to afternoon explorers and permanent residents. Their bridges get us across wet areas and their meanders show us what a place has to offer. They allow our legs to take us into fern-scrubbed air where all the sounds are made by water and wildlife (Ron McAdow, Executive Director Sudbury Valley Trustees.) The circuit trail system can become a highly valued resource for our community. 3

4 GOALS necessary to complete the circuit trail system. : White Dot Circuit Trail #1 6.3 Miles (10.1K) Work on 5 Bog Bridges and 7 or more Old Style Bog Planks for Spring Brook Park Conservation Land and Several Tree Falls need removal #7- #9 p. 2 Provide Blazing and have Ready for the General Public as soon as possible Finalize Blaze Markings and Promotion Promote health, safety and educational features. Yellow Dot Circuit Trail # Miles (33K) 8 Bog Bridges necessary on Huckins Land and Removal of 2 fallen trees blocking trail #28 p. 4 Construct New Path at Wiggins Ave #10 p. 10 Get Davis to Lane School Paths Ready for Rating of B- Access by May 2013 #26-#37 p. 4-5 Finalize the Crossing at Lantern Lane #20 p. 4 Finalize Blaze Markings and Promotion Promote health, safety and educational features. Circuit Trail #1 The White Dot (70% ADA Compliant 25% Ready for use (Total 95% OK) 5% Not accessible ) Blaze: White Dots Promotion and Recognition: Suggestions and Necessary Tools needed RATING SYSTEM: A Level: means ADA Compliant and Wheel Chair Accessible B Level: means easy to walk or run NOT ADA Compliant. C Level: More difficult to walk. Some Sections may need improvement D Level: Difficult to access and more improvement needed. F Level: Not ready for access. 1. Library to NGRR at Loomis Rating A+ Feature(s) Depot Park Have Sign Showing Total Distance of both the White and Yellow Trail. 2. NGRR to Monument Park Rating A+ Feature(s) Narrow Gage RR replicated model and RR hand cart 3. Monument Park to CVS Crosswalk Rating A+ Feature(s) Monument park itself and our honored soldiers, Nathanial Page Statue 4. CVS to Page Road at Brooksbie Rating A+ 5. Page at Brooksbie to Frances Kelley Rating A+ Feature(s) Nathaniel Page House, the Real home of the Bedford Flag 6. Frances Kelley to Springs Brook Conservation at Page Place Rating A+ Perhaps show on sign posts distance to Springs Brook Park on one end and distance to Frances Kelley on the other 7. Springs Brook Conservation at Page Place to Springs Brook Park Rating C Feature(s) Fantastic wetland meadow Need, 5 bog Bridges, 7 Bog Planks and Improve Bridge Crossing 4

5 8. Springs Brook Park to Springs Brook Park Path Rating C+ Feature(s) Picnic Grove, swimming and Recreation Park Need Crushed Stone Surface path to connect Conservation Area to Springs Brook Path 9. Springs Brook Path at Park to 9/11 Memorial Park Rating A+ Feature(s) Special all access nature trail, and the 9/11 Memorial Park itself 10. Springs Brook Path at 911 Park to Springs Road at Park entrance Rating B+ Feature(s) Comfort Station (seasonal) Need Crushed Stone Surface to get around the existing Gate 11. Springs Brook Path at Park Entrance to Pine Hill Road entrance to NGRR Rating A+ 12. Pine Hill Road entrance to NGRR to North Entrance of York Rating A+ Feature(s) Back side of VA Hospital Campus, Engineering design features of NGRR 13. York North Entrance at York to Yellow Trail Intersection Rating B- Feature(s) Bog Bridges, Hemlock forest, and Sassafras Tree Forest in upland area, early bog bridge design by boy scouts back in the 50 s Need Crushed Stone Surface Show Distance NGRR to Wildwood Drive and vise versa 14. York Yellow Trail Intersect to Wildwood Drive Rating C- Feature(s) Storm water drainage system for Wildwood Drive Problem: Challenging Climb for some to get up to Wildwood Drive 15. Wildwood Drive Yellow Trail Entrance to Dana at Pine Hill Rating A+ 16. Dana at Pine Hill to Water Tower Entrance of Lane Farm Rating A Feature(s) The Town Water Tower 17. WaterTower of Lane Farm to Fletcher Rating C Feature(s) A Tamarack Tree Need Crushed Stone Surface and perhaps some trail redesign on the steep hill, Show Distance from Water Tower Entrance to Fletcher and visa versa 18. Fletcher at Lane Farm to The Great Road Rating A+ Feature(s) Interesting architecture in the town of Bedford 19. Great Road at Fletcher to Mudge Way Entrance Rating A+ Feature(s) Early Churches, Town Common, The Fitch Tavern, and Interesting architecture in the town of Bedford 20. Mudge Way to Library Rating A+ Feature(s) Jenks Arboretum Trail #1 Condition A Level, B Level, C Level, D Level, F Level 70% 10% 20% 0% 0% ****************************************************************** Circuit Trail #2 The Yellow Dot Trail (43% ADA Compliant 43% Ready for use (Total 86% OK) 13% Not accessible) Blaze: Yellow Dots Promotion and Recognition: Suggestions and Necessary Tools needed 5

6 1. Library to Bike Way entrance on RR Ave Rating A+ Feature(s) Jenks Arboretum and Bedford s HS, MS and Recreational Resources 2. Bikeway Entrance at RR Ave to Elm Brook West Entrance on Bike Way Rating A- Feature(s) First storm water control and management impoundment system Need Crushed Stone Surface to cover exposed rocks Show Distance to South Road and vise versa 3. Elm Brook West Entrance at MM Bike Way to Elm Brook in CC Land East Corner Rating B+ Feature(s) Land which was once an active vegetable (Truck) Farm Need Crushed Stone Surface to widen Trail a bit more. 4. Elm Brook Land East Corner at Elm Brook to South Road, All Agreement for Easements established Land Acquisition Priority #1 only Formal Agreement necessary Rating B South Road to Harwell Av at Town Forrest entrance on Hartwell Rating A+ 6. Town Forrest Entrance on Hartwell to Town Forrest Entrance on South Rating B+ Feature(s) a Fantastic Pine forest Crushed Stone Surface on some paths Need Crushed Stone on others all the way to South Road. Show distance Hartwell Rd to South Road and vise versa 7. Town Forrest South Road Entrance to 202 South Road Rating A- Need Street Crossing Signage South Road to MM Bike Way Rating B- Need Crushed Stone Surface 9. MM Bike Way to Wiggins Ave Rating A+ Feature(s) A bike path recognized at the Bike Path Hall of Fame Wiggins Ave to Bridge Street Path Currently Crossed Private Property Rating C Land Acquisition Priority #1 only Formal Agreement necessary Tim White will give easement around his parking lots but not across then Elizabeth Bagdonas indicated a path will fit within the wetland restriction from Wiggins Ave to Bridge Street. Need Crushed Stone Surface and Need Formal Right of Way. Property Owner is supportive and may assist with funding of a footbridge to the path across culvert from Wiggins Ave 11. Bridge Street to Pine Street Rating B Feature(s) The original Town Boarder marker between Billerica and Concord Need Improvement on Wiggins Ave end and some improvement on Bridge Street 12. Pine Street at Bridge Street to Shawsheen Ave at Pumping Station Rating A+ 13. Plumbing Station at Shawsheen through Velente to Page Road North Entrance at Wilson Rd Rating C Feature(s) Bedford Old Water filtration System, dam, old reservoir and an esker Need Crushed Stone Surface Improvement. Show distance on sign post Shawsheen to Page and vise versa (Change made in this section to connect to Wilson Road while the NEW Robinson Drive Property is waiting approval) 17. Wilson at Page to Dam at Old Burlington Rating A+ Feature(s) Bedford s First Dam Site and industrial water power source. 18. Old Burlington at Dam to Wagon Wheel Road at Old Billerica Rating A+ 6

7 Feature(s) The remains of sawmill powered by water active up to the 1940 s 19. Wagon Wheel to far end of Lantern Lane Rating A+ 20. Lantern Lane through Wilderness to Springs Road Rating C Feature(s) glacial erratic Need Crushed Stone Surface and Bog Bridges etc Show Distance Lantern Lane to Springs Road and Vise versa 21. Springs Road From Wilderness at MCC/VA Parking Fawn Lake Conservation Rating B- Need Crushed Stone Surface Show Distance to Springs Road at Fawn Lake and vise a versa 22. Fawn Lake at MCC Parking to Fawn Lake North Entrance at Springs Road Rating C Feature(s) A man made lake famous for its curing waters, the site of the Bedford Springs Hotel, and Laboratory Need Crushed Stone Surface 23. Springs Road at Fawn Lake to MCC Trails System Rating A Feature(s) glacial erratic 24. MCC Trail System to Bay Circuit Trail on MCC Land Rating A- Feature(s) an exercise trail, Kettle Lake, glacial moraines. Formal Right of Way Contact with Property Owner in progress 25. Bay Circuit Trail at MCC to Bay Circuit Trail to NGRR at Buehler Rating B- Need Crushed Stone Surface Show Distance from Springs Road to Lane School and vise versa 25a. NGRR to Trail to Lane School Parking & Playground Area Rating C Feature(s) Signs of Blow Down from 38 Hurricane 25b. Lane School Parking to Entrance to Buehler off Lane School Ropes Course Rating A Need to show distance to from Lane School to North Road and vise versa 26. Buehler Rating C Feature(s) remains of old Chinese Tea Garden, two more man made ponds, startling outcropping showing glacial markings, and vernal pool. Need Crushed Stone Surface and New Trail from NGRR to NORTH ROAD 26b. Buehler to North Road Rating F Trail need to be constructed and blazed 27. Buehler at North Road to Minnie Reid Parking Lot Rating C+ Street Crossing Signs on North and Chelmsford Roads 28. Minnie Reid Parking to Dudley Road Rating F Feature(s) Old Bedford abandoned road, blow downs from the 38 Hurricane, and Hurricane Carol back in 1954, trees toppled by beavers. Need Crushed Stone Surface, and 100 Bog Bridge, 30 Bog Bridge, 10 Bog Brige, and a12 Bog Plank for wet season A NEW Trail need to be constructed and blazed. Need to show distance Rt. 4 to Dudley Road and Vise Versa 29. Dudley Road at Altman to Brothers Rocks Rating B Feature(s) Walter Gropius House, Frank Lloyd House, Land improved by Frederick Law Olmstead, glacial erratic and the Brothers Rocks Need Crushed Stone Surface, and trail selection. Show Distance to Dudley Road to Old Causway Road and vise versa 30. Brothers Rocks including Huckins to Harvard Land Rating B Feature(s) 300 foot beaver dam and 3 beaver lodges 7

8 Need Crushed Stone Surface Formal Right of Way, 31. Harvard Land across to Old Causway Road Rating B Feature(s) What is left of Bedford s Nike Site our home land security system from back in the late 50 s Need Crushed Stone Surface Formal Right of Way Property Owner Andy Biewener Director is supportive of Project 32. Old Causway Road to Carlson Rating A+ Property owner is supportive 33. Carlson at Old Causway to Carlisle Road Rating C Need Crushed Stone Surface AND Adjust Bog Bridges so that they connect to each other. A few more Bog Bridges will be needed. Active maintenance is needed to keep the Tall Grass cut back. Need to show distance Old Causway to Carlisle Road and vise versa 34. Carlisle Road at Langone to Davis Road at Pine Grove Farm Rating C- Need Crushed Stone Surface and Trail made wider, perhaps find a link to Jeffrey Circle Need to show distance Carlisle Road to Davis Road and vise versa 35. Pine Grove at Davis Road to Little Meadow Rating A+ Feature(s) A Drumlin back side 38. Little Meadow Rating C- Need Crushed Stone Surface or Perhaps not pass through Little Meadow. 36. Davis at Little Meadown to Clark at Davis Rating A+ Feature(s) Drumlin leading side, Transition Forest in an 1970 s hay field, glacial erratics in place and moved. 37. Clark at Davis to Notre Dame Road Rating B Feature(s) Drumlin leading side, Transition Forest in an 1970 s hay field, glacial erratics in place and moved., Ancient Glacial Lake Concord Need Crushed Stone Surface. Show distance Davis Rd to Notre Dame Road and vise versa 38. Notra Dame at Clark to Candlewick Road Rating A+ 39. Candlewick Road across Davis School to Path to Glenridge Rating A+ Feature(s) Rain Garden Nature Study Area 40. Glenridge to GlenTerrace to Norma to Ten Acre Drive at Concord Road Rating A+ 41. Concord at Caesar Jones to Minute Man Bikeway Rating A+ 42. Bike Way at Caesar Jones to Bikeway at Rail Road Ave Rating B Feature(s) Former Bridge remains for under track cattle crossing Need Crushed Stone Surface in some muddy places and Rocks in path cause problems. 43. RR Ave to Library Rating A+ Feature(s) Trail #2 Condition A Level, B Level, C Level, D Level, F Level 47% 26% 22% 0% 5% 8

9 Trail Markers and Locations Bedford Circuit Trails The inner WHITE DOT trail traveling Counter Clockwise (White Dot Sample at Francis Kelley at Trail Head just two dots) 3 Showing entrance to Trail Head) Could really be White Dots: 2.5 inches in diameter (all hand painted) Locations At: Type of Dots Public Library sidewalk 2 dots Front of HS Café sidewalk 2 heading toward football field HS Football field entrance 2 heading toward MS Interaction with Winchester 3 Showing left turn onto Winchester RR Ave Across from Parking lot to RBRR 2 Showing continue straight on RR Ave RR Ave at South (West Side) 2 Showing continue straight on Loomis Loomis at South 2 Showing straight onto RR Ave Loomis at NGRR 3 showing Left turn onto NGRR NGRR at Memorial Park 3 Showing Right turn to cross through Memorial Park Sidewalk at Cross Walk to CVS 3 showing left turn at CVS Sidewalks at Cross walk on north side 3 Showing right turn onto Great Great Rd at Brooksbie Rd 3 Showing left turn onto Brooksbie Rd Brooksbie Rd at Page 3 Showing left turn onto Page Page at Francis Kelly 3 Showing right turn onto Francis Kelluy Francis Kelley at Trail Head 2 Showing entrance to Trail Head Trail Posts mark route through Springs Brook Park Road at 9/11 Memorial 3 Showing left turn onto Drive to Springs Road Springs Brook Park Sidewalk at Springs 3 Showing left turn onto Springs Springs at PineHill 3 Showing Right turn onto Pine Hill Pine Hill at NGRR 3 Showing Right turn onto NGRR Trail Post Marks Entrance to York York at Wildwood 2 Showing heading toward Dana Wildwood at Dana 3 Showing left turn at Dana Dana at Pine Hill 3 Showing Left turn at Pine Hill Pine Hill at Water Tower 3 Showing Right turn to Lindau Lindau at Fletcher 2 Showing continue along Fletcher Fletcher at Great Rd 3 Showing Right turn on Great Great Rd at Congregational Church 3 Showing Left turn into cross walk Great Rd at Congregational Church 3 Showing Right turn to Mudge Great Rd at Mudge Way 3 Showing left turn to Library. Mudge Way at Police Station 2 Showing crossing to Library Side. Yellow Dot, Outer Circuit Trail Going counter clockwise Yellow Dots: 2.5 inches in diameter (all hand painted) Locations At: Type of Dots Public Library sidewalk 2 dots 9

10 Front of HS Café sidewalk 2 heading toward football field HS Football field entrance 2 heading toward MS Interaction with Winchester 3 Showing left turn onto Winchester RR Ave Across from Parking lot to RBRR 3 Showing turn right to Parking Lot Elm Brook Path at South Road 3 Showing right turn toward Hartwell South Rd at Hartwell 3 showing Right turn on Hartwell Hartwell at Town Forrest. 3 showing left turn into Town Forrest. Town Forrest at South Rd 2 showing crossing South to Path to Bike Path Bike Path at South Road Trail 3 Showing Right turn on MMBikway MM Bike way at Wiggins 3 Showing left turn on Wiggins Wiggins at Tim White Pro perty 3 Showing Right turn toward Bridge Bridge at Bridge Path 2 Showing straight to Pine St Bridge at Pine St 3 Showing Right on Pine Pine at Great Rd 2 Showing Straight crossing Great to Shwasheen Shawsheen at Great 2 Showing Straight on Shawsheen Shawsheen at Pumping Station 3 Showing right turn into Old Rez Old Rez at Page across from Wilson 2 Showing Straight on Wilson Wilson at Old Burlington 3 Showing Right on Old Burlington Old Burlington at Hume 2 Showing Straight on Burlington Rd Burlington at Old Billerica 3 Showing Right on Old Billerica Old Billerica at Wagon Wheel 3 Showing Left on Wagon Wheel Wagon Wheel at Old Stage Coach 3 Showing Right on Old Stage Coach Old Stage Coach at Lantern Lane 3 Showing Left on Lantern Lane Lantern Lane at end 2 Showing straight into Wilderness Wilderness at Springs 3 showing Right on Springs Springs at VA Parking 3 showing left onto the VA Parking VA Parking 3 Showing Right into Fawn Lake Trails Fawn Lake trails at Fawn Lake 2 shown crossing to Springs Sidewalk to MCC Springs Sidewalk at Fawn 3 Showing left turn to MCC Springs at MCC 3 Showing right into MCC MCC at Bay Circuit 3 Showing Left onto Bay Circuit Trail MCC at Spring 2 Showing Road Crossing At Lane School showing Path the Buehler and Path to RR Bed Buehler Trail at North 3 showing right turn on Old North Old North at North 2 showing straight on North North at Chelmsford 3 Showing Left turn onto Chelmsford North at Chelmsford 2 Showing continue on Chelmsford Chelmsford at Minni Reid 3 Showing left turn into Minnie Reid Hunkins on Dudley 3 Showing Left turn toward Brothers Rocks Harvard at Old Causway 3 Showing Right turn onto Old Causeway Old Causeway at Carlson 2 Showing entrance to Caroson Carlson at Rte Showing Crossing to Pine Grove Farm Pine Grove Farm at Davis 3 Showing Right on Davis School Davis at Red Coat 2 Showing Straight on Davis Davis at Williams 2 Showing Straight on Davis Davis at Hillcrest 2 Showing Straight on Davis Davis at Clark Conservation 3 Showing right into Clark Conservation Clark Conservation at Notre Dame 3 Showing right on Notre Dame Notre Dame at Candlewick 3 Showing left turn into Davis School Davis School Path to Glenridge Dr 3 showing left onto Path 10

11 Path at Glenridge Glenridge at Glen Terrace Glen Terrace at Concord Cross to RR Bed 3 Showing left on Glenridge 3 Showing right on Glen Terrace 3 Showing right on Concord 3 Showing left to RR Bed 216 Total Dots At 2.5 inches for each dot, total paint is 45 feet to cover 30 Miles of Trails. Bedford s Right of Passage An Opportunity for the YOUTH OF BEDFORD To be held yearly on a Saturday in May or June Perhaps on or about River Fest Day (the summer solstice) A Right of Passage could be organization for second graders to make the 5 mile walk through the Concord River flood plane from Davis School to Lane School, going past the Brothers Rocks and among other features a 180 foot beaver dam and lodge. A picnic lunch break at the Minni Reid Conservation Land can highlight this experience. Lane School fifth graders can make the 2.8 mile trek from Lane to the middle school. On that day, middle school students can consider the option of making the short trek over to the high school or going the 10 mile longer trek past Davis and Lane then onto the high school. Safety Issues to Consider: 1. Parents will be encouraged to do the walk with their own children. 2. All trails along this route will be carefully cleared to at least 4 foot wide paths. Some of the woodland fire roads are already cleared to a 10 to 12 foot width. 3. Tick and mosquito concerns will be highlighted and informational material provided. 4. Davis School students will be encouraged NOT to carry back pack, high school Roteract Volunteers should have back packs for carrying water, snacks, first aid kit, and other items necessary for each child. 5. Restrooms Facilities can be available at all the schools. 6. For Davis School Students a. A 3 mile Snack Break can be Set up at the Two Brothers Rocks b. At the 4 mile mark a lunch break can be set up at the Minni Reid Conservation Area where a portable toilet can be provided. c. At the 5 mile point Lane School will be reached. 7. For Davis School Students, Safety Crossing Guards should be placed at: a. Notre Dame at Hillcrest Road b. Hillcrest Road at Davis Road c. Winterberry Way at Carlisle Road d. Chelmsford Road at Minni Reid e. Chelmsford Road at North Road f. Traffic Cones can be placed along North Road to Zwickers for safety g. Traffic Cones can be placed along North Road to the Lane School Path 8. For Lane School Students, Safety Crossing Guards should be placed at a. Dana Road at Pine Hill Road b. Great Road at Congregational Church 9. For Middle School Students Safety Crossing Guards should be placed at a. Ceasar Jones Way at Concord Road 11