Wellesley Trails System Peter Rovick Member Wellesley Trails

Wellesley Trails System Peter Rovick Member – Wellesley Trails Committee www. wellesleytrails. org

14 Trails Spanning > 25 miles http: //www. wellesleyma. gov/Pages/Wellesley. MA_Trails/trailmap. pdf http: //www. wellesleyma. gov/Pages/Wellesley. MA_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/Wellesley. MA_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/Wellesley. MA_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

Carisbrooke Reservation. Trail

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 06 JUN 09 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: May 15: May 22: June 5: Beard Trail Centennial Reservation Trail Crosstown Trail 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