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. > >
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