Wellesley Trails System

Peter RovickMember – Wellesley Trails Committee

www.wellesleytrails.org

14 Trails Spanning > 25 miles

http://www.wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_Trails/trailmap.pdf http://www.wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_Trails/gistrailmap.pdf

Mission & History• Mission:

– Develop, promote and maintain the town's trails network• History:

– Formed in 1993 as an official committee of the NRC, and planning and feasibility studies were initiated

– NRC formed the Bike Trails and Walkways Study Committee in 1992, under the chairmanship of John G. Schuler• Studies to connect neighborhoods and schools with safe walking and bike trails

• Key Dates:– 1999: First trail signs designed & installed– 2000: Color-coded maps completed, map houses installed– 2003: www.wellesleytrails.org comes online– 2008: Conversion of all our trail maps to GIS was completed

(In cooperation with the Town NIS GIS analysts)– 2009: The Charles River Link was dedicated, a 16-mile, 6-town regional trail

connecting Newton through Wellesley to the Bay Circuit Trail in Medfield.

http://www.wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_Trails/about

About Us

• Members: – 11 volunteers, including one liaison from the NRC

(Natural Resources Commission)– Volunteer subset of the NRC

• What We Do:– Develop, maintain, & enhance trails– Consider safety, address parking & access, mark

new trails, maintain map houses– Lead seasonal walks (4 each every Spring & Fall)

http://www.wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_Trails/about

In Conjunction With….

• Wellesley NCR – Natural Resources Commission• Wellesley DPW – Dept. of Public Works• Massachusetts DCR – Dept. of Conservation &

Recreation• CRWA: Charles River Watershed Association• Other Local Trails Committees (e.g. Natick & Weston)• Wellesley Conservation Council

The Guernsey Sanctuary

The Guernsey Sanctuary

• Loop Trail to Sabrina Lake• Once part of William Baker’s

1871 amusement park

Boulder Brook Reservation

Boulder Brook Reservation

Boulder Brook Reservation

Carisbrooke ReservationTrail

Carisbrooke ReservationTrail

Charles River Link

A 16-mile trail• First proposed in Fall 2002 by the

Wellesley Trails Committee to the Bay Circuit Alliance

• Goal: linking downtown Boston with the Bay Circuit Trail in Medfield

• Trail dedicated on 06JUN09 www.charlesriverlink.org

Guided Trail Walks Discover a new trail!

Four walks every Spring and Fall• Town history, flora & fauna, geological features

Example of seasonal walks: Spring 2010• May 1: Beard Trail• May 15: Centennial Reservation Trail• May 22: Crosstown Trail• June 5: Boulder Brook Reservation Trail

More Than Walking Trails…

• Biking (no motorized vehicles)• Running/Jogging• Cross-country skiing

• Dogs welcome! – Must be under voice control– Please pick up after your dog

www.greatruns.net

Nature in Your Backyard