Or maybe just chill out about bikers? Diana Giles Rd
On Tue, Jun 21, 2022 at 10:24 AM Sara Mattes <samat...@gmail.com> wrote: > 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 >>> dutiesSection >>> 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 >>>>>> <http://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 >>> <http://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. > >
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