Well, conclusions reached would suggest we ban walkers and horses, and bring on trial bikes and motorized vehicles! Really?
Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 21, 2022, at 10:13 AM, Margaret Olson <marga...@margaretolson.com> > wrote: > > > Here's an article that summarizes the research on trail impacts of various > users: > > https://www.americantrails.org/resources/comparing-relative-impacts-of-various-trail-user-groups > > (The second half of the article discusses policy implications for the > author's jurisdiction, which may not be applicable here). > >> On Tue, Jun 21, 2022 at 7:16 AM John Mendelson <johntmendel...@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> Forgive me, Sara, my history was a bit off. >> >> Changes were made almost 30 years ago, not 40. Please see the attached >> article which also notes that the commission should "work with interested >> groups to ensure adequate off-road biking opportunities for younger people >> ". Prior to 1996, to the best of my knowledge, biking was allowed on all >> trails, similar to horseback riding. >> >> Further, and I quote directly from the conservation department's website: >> >> Conservation Land Management Staff work to balance natural-resource >> preservation with passive recreation on approximately 1600-acres of >> municipal conservation land. Together, with Land Trust Staff, they manage >> approximately 80 miles of trails. In addition, they work on the following >> programs. >> >> (You can read the rest here: >> https://www.lincolntown.org/411/Land-Stewardship-Trails) >> >> John >> >> >>> On Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 11:50 PM Sara Mattes <samat...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> John, >>> Your history is a bit off. >>> It was not 40 year ago, or even 20. >>> Lincoln was making decision consistent with Mass General Law Part 1, Title >>> VII, Chpt.40, Section 8C, the charge to the Con.Comm., the stewards of our >>> open space and trails >>> "Section 8C: Conservation commission; establishment; powers and duties >>> >>> Section 8C. A city or town which accepts this section may establish a >>> conservation commission, hereinafter called the commission, for the >>> promotion and development of the natural resources and for the protection >>> of watershed resources of said city or town.” >>> >>> No where in the charge does it say that the Con. Comms must provide for >>> bike trails for recreation. >>> >>> Lincoln was forward-thinking in its early adoption of a Con. Comm. and it’s >>> acquisition of open space for preservation for all for all time. >>> We should remain mindful of the purpose for our protected lands and the >>> duty of the Conservation Commission. >>> >>> We have already provided for walkers, bikers, dog walkers in such a way as >>> to honor the intent of those who invested in our public lands and those who >>> are charged with its stewardship. >>> Expanding trails for mountain biking were not the intent nor consistent >>> with the charge. >>> >>> Sara >>> >>> ------ >>> Sara Mattes >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Jun 20, 2022, at 7:59 PM, Sara Mattes <samat...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> I’ll just address one point here.. I can assure you that our current >>>> guidelines are not exclusionary. I walk every day Monday-Friday, 50 weeks >>>> out of the year, with people from Sudbury, Concord, Lincoln and Maynard. >>>> I’ve made friends walking with people from Weston, Waltham and beyond. >>>> These walkers from beyond Lincoln cherish our current guidelines and >>>> appreciate Lincoln’s stewardship of nature and wildlife. >>>> >>>>> On Mon, Jun 20, 2022 at 6:31 PM John Mendelson <johntmendel...@gmail.com> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> You are thinking back to a different time, Sara. Our roads were safer. >>>>> Trail biking was in its infancy. I could go on. Just because excluding >>>>> bikes was the right decision 40 years ago doesn't mean it is the right >>>>> decision today. >>>>> >>>>> Trail bikers are just as likely to be stewards of the trails and the >>>>> environment as those wanting quiet contemplation. Why should we make a >>>>> value judgement that one use is more important than another? Why is >>>>> walking and horseback riding more important to the community than biking? >>>>> Our current and proposed trail use policy says that walking and >>>>> horseback riding are in fact more important and I think that is plain >>>>> wrong and not in sync with the values the town otherwise espouses. >>>>> >>>>> John >>>>> >>>>>> On Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 5:09 PM Sara Mattes <samat...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> I would strongly disagree with the general statement that we are >>>>>> perceived as “an island of exclusion,” because of our current trail >>>>>> policies. >>>>>> The number of cars parked along our roadways all during the pandemic, >>>>>> and the walkers that came from them would say otherwise. >>>>>> We are well-known for the relative peacefulness of our trails, as >>>>>> opposed to those towns that have a larger number of bikes on them. >>>>>> >>>>>> The number of fast moving bikes and mountain bikes that were here during >>>>>> Mike Farney’s tenure, and after, led to many complaints and to the >>>>>> degradation of the trails. >>>>>> The bike ruts led to erosion and degradation of flora and vegetation, >>>>>> and made walking often uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe. >>>>>> >>>>>> Subsequent hearings were filled with very passionate folks from the >>>>>> out-of-town biking community and those in town, with a similar charge of >>>>>> elitism deployed. >>>>>> It did not dissuade the stewards of our lands and the introduction of >>>>>> more restricted use, and the return of peace and healthier trails for >>>>>> the rest. >>>>>> >>>>>> It seems history is repeating itself and we may, once again, relearn a >>>>>> hard lesson, unless our stewards are very, vary careful as they thread >>>>>> the needle. >>>>>> >>>>>> Sara >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ------ >>>>>> Sara Mattes >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Jun 20, 2022, at 4:45 PM, John Mendelson <johntmendel...@gmail.com> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I must point out that both Concord and Weston (and other towns >>>>>>> mentioned) allow cycling on a significant majority of their trails at >>>>>>> present. We are very much our of step with our peer towns in terms of >>>>>>> restricting usage of our trails. And these policies give us a >>>>>>> reputation, deserved or otherwise, of a town that is the opposite of >>>>>>> welcoming and open-minded. We are an island of exclusion when it comes >>>>>>> to trail use policy in the area. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Further, there are many trail bike specific destinations in the area >>>>>>> that attract enthusiasts and an incremental increase in bike access >>>>>>> here will not significantly increase use nor impact wildlife. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> John >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 4:25 PM Barbara Peskin <bpeski...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> Deb, >>>>>>>> Thank you for sharing the zoom link and reminder for the 6/22 vote. >>>>>>>> Interest from Lexington, Wayland, Andover, etc seems to be a sign of >>>>>>>> outside recreational bike groups looking to get access to Lincoln >>>>>>>> trails and I feel that the Conservation Commission's considering to >>>>>>>> lower the bar on protecting habitat will negatively impact Lincoln >>>>>>>> wildlife - I don't think Concord or Weston will in exchange protect >>>>>>>> trails if we open ours. Lincoln has something special because of the >>>>>>>> generosity of conservation and hard work of stewardship that came >>>>>>>> before us, and I wish it could continue. I am sending in another >>>>>>>> letter on behalf of walkers and wildlife before 6/22 and hope you >>>>>>>> might, too. If you are interested in seeing my letter please let me >>>>>>>> know. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Re: Trails Continuance from Lincoln Digest, Vol 117, Issue 20 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hello, all - >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The June 1 ConComm trails discussion over Zoom was robust and >>>>>>>> heartening; lots of people showed up and voiced their opinions on the >>>>>>>> proposed trails regulations. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> For those who couldn't make it, the ConComm decided to hold off on >>>>>>>> voting on the regs, and instead to continue the meeting on the evening >>>>>>>> of this Wednesday, June 22, also over Zoom. You can find the agenda >>>>>>>> for that meeting here: >>>>>>>> https://www.lincolntown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06222022-4573 >>>>>>>> Further discussion and a vote on the trails issue is scheduled for >>>>>>>> 8:15 pm, and the Zoom link for the meeting is on the agenda, or here: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Zoom Meeting Link: >>>>>>>> https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88063247875?pwd=SFJFd1pKcVJZSDFXUDkxdGVyYzBQZz09 >>>>>>>> or Dial In: 1-646-876-9923 >>>>>>>> Meeting ID: 880 6324 7875 Passcode: 894034 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Written comments on the proposed draft trails policy are a matter of >>>>>>>> public record; Michelle Grzenda suggested that anyone interested in >>>>>>>> reading those comments should call or email her or Stacy Carter for >>>>>>>> the link. (The Conservation Dept. prefers to get individual requests >>>>>>>> for the link rather than broadcasting it, because private emails are >>>>>>>> included with the comments). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I have read the comments, and think they’re worth the read, as they >>>>>>>> give a wide range of opinions on trail use in Lincoln. (I noticed that >>>>>>>> some quite extensive comments came from residents of Lexington, >>>>>>>> Wayland, Weston, Concord, Belmont and Andover — there’s quite a lot of >>>>>>>> interest outside Lincoln in Lincoln’s trail policies.) And of course >>>>>>>> it’s always good to hear the voices and views of others on the ConComm >>>>>>>> Zoom, and to voice your own. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Best, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Deb Howe >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>>>>>>> Barbara Peskin >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> My Moments in Nature Photo Gallery: barbarapeskin.com >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>>>>>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>> -- >>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>>> Barbara Peskin >>>> >>>> My Moments in Nature Photo Gallery: barbarapeskin.com >>> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>
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