The number of horseback riders in Lincoln is so small now that you can’t compare impact on trails with walkers and bikers.
Nancy Bergen From: Lincoln <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Margaret Olson Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 10:13 AM To: John Mendelson <[email protected]> Cc: Lincoln Talk <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Trails Continuance 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 <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 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 <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 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 <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 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 <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > 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 <[email protected] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[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> 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> 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] <mailto:[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] <mailto:[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. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Barbara Peskin My Moments in Nature Photo Gallery: barbarapeskin.com <http://barbarapeskin.com/> -- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected] <mailto:[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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