A Multifaceted Story about the Middlesex Fells Trail System Plan
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hosting a public meeting and trail planning workshop for the Middlesex Fells Trail System Plan this evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the McGlynn School auditorium, 3002 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford. (Follow directions to Hormel Stadium, and continue past the stadium to the school.)
The DCR expects to complete a draft trails plan by April 2010, according to a press release.
The Fells Dog Owner Group has been leading efforts to get families who enjoy Sheepfold and the trails of the Middlesex Fells with their dogs to come to the meeting to support safe and legal options for off-leash recreation at the Fells. The Somerville Dog Owners Group is among the dog-owner groups that are supporting the efforts of FellsDOG. At least ten Somerville dog owners have already submitted written comments to the DCR for the Plan, and the Somerville Board of Aldermen passed a resolution "that this Board supports off leash dog areas in the Middlesex Fells and requests that DCR designate such areas."
The Greater Boston Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) has also been involved in the trail-planning process. In the interest of "all muscle-powered trail users" Greater Boston NEMBA has posted on their website "An Open Letter from the New England Mountain Bike Association Regarding the Middlesex Fells Trails Evaluation."
With more people and more different groups than ever before participating in the public process for public open space at the Middlesex Fells, it is curious that Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the Friends of Middlesex Fells, feels that there is "insufficient information" to proceed with the Plan. Globe Correspondent, Alix Roy, spoke with Ryan for an article that ran in the Sunday Globe: "State seeking opinions on future of the Fells."
According to NEMBA, "for the past twenty years, many of the trail use policies at the Fells have been heavily influenced by a single user group, the Friends of the Fells." NEMBA accuses the Friends not only of "publicly misrepresenting" NEMBA but also of "derailing" projects that would preserve the natural resources of the Fells while enabling the trails to better accommodate a more diverse group of park users.
I join the Greater Boston NEMBA in encouraging all true friends of the Middlesex Fells, including dog owners and mountain bikers, to come to the public meeting tonight to work together for ways that everyone can enjoy public open space in the Middlesex Fells.