Spot on John. However, when he mentioned an island of exclusion, I think perhaps he forgot to mention he was speaking about biking. We are definitely not an island of exclusion from others outside of town using our trail system.
As I have stated before, most all mountain bikers I know are very respectful of the environment and the trails and sharing them with others implementing proper etiquette. I have ridden many trails in town with former selectman. There is always exceptions to everything. Being a horse guy coming from an equestrian family, and loving horses, a pronounced horse hoofprint is I believe more impactful than a mountain bike print. And I certainly understand the argument about not wanting mountain bike clubs and groups using our Trail system. That may be a bit Overkill. We all pay our Trail fees and should be reasonable and get along. Kind Regards, Scott Clary 617-968-5769 Sent from a mobile device - please excuse typos and errors On Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 5:46 PM John Mendelson <[email protected]> wrote: > Margaret is exactly right. I am not saying anyone's right to walk should > be restricted. Rather, we should accept and welcome people who want to > safely and respectfully enjoy the trails in other ways. > > Why is that wrong? > > On Mon, Jun 20, 2022, 5:37 PM Margaret Olson <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> Mike Farney did actively recruit large numbers of bikers, and those >> bikers were not always respectful of the trails or other users. But that >> was over 20 years ago! The biking community learned to police it’s own and >> the serious bikers moved to other much more interesting venues. Look at the >> trails in Weston. It’s just not a problem. I live near a section of the >> Weston woods where bikes are permitted. I urge all of you to go walk in >> Weston and Concord. >> >> On Mon, Jun 20, 2022 at 5:09 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> 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 <[email protected]> >>> 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 <[email protected]> >>> 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 [email protected]. >>>> 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 [email protected]. >>> 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 [email protected]. >>> 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 [email protected]. > 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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