HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 Annual Trails Committee ReportReading Trails Committee
Reading, MA 01867
2011 Annual Report
To whom it may concern:
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
RE „DING, t•1 SS.
1012 MAY 21 A 8: 31
This is the Annual Report of the Reading Trails Committee (RTC) for 2011, outlining the
activities and events that members, associate members and volunteers participated in
throughout the year.
The RTC is happy to report another productive and successful year of activities. The
committee is a very dedicated and active group of Reading residents who feel that it is
important to maintain and develop Reading's trail systems for others to explore, respect
and enjoy. The group is made up of five voting members, a few associate members and
Kim Honetschlager, the GIS Coordinator for the Town of Reading and a variety of hard
working volunteers. The Reading DPW crew has also been very supportive by providing
time and equipment towards whatever is needed.
Focus in 2011 by the RTC and Scouts has been in the Kurchian Woods conservation area
where a trail system has existed for many years. A very generous Department of
Conservation and Recreation grant was received which is to be used to build and replace
a very old boardwalk built back in the 1970's. The new boardwalk will be at the Franklin
Street entrance to Kurchian and will be a huge undertaking. The planning has begun, the
funds received and the first two, six foot sections are in place, and the project will
continue into 2012.
Every year we have a few Boy Scouts who are eager for ideas and projects they can work
on as a way to earn their Eagle Scout Awards, and they have accomplished much again
this year. Major projects have been completed this year such as a trail clean -up, clearing
and blazing; the designing and building of a bridge across a stream making access of the
trail more accessible and safer; an old sign built in 1974 by a previous Boy Scout was
painted and "restored ", all making the Kurchian area a nice place to spend time.
There have been monthly RTC meetings at the Town Hall and at the Mattera Cabin and
some members have attended additional Town meetings for various reasons that were
pertinent to RTC or conservation business.
In June, National Trails Day was a day to get out and clean up the Mattera Cabin yard
and other members participated in the Ipswich River Cleanup collecting trash, bottles,
cans and disposing of them. Participating in the Friends and Family Day, also in June, is
a time to share what the RTC has been up to when people stop by the display table. Will
Finch's turtles are always a hit and draw a crowd.
With all of the snow in the Winter, a few snowshoe outings were enjoyed at Bare
Meadow and in the Town Forest, Woodcock (bird) walks, a few finishing touches at the
Mattera Cabin, the retirement of Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator, clearing trails at
Kylie Drive, a Girl Scout hike at Bare Meadow and many other fun times took place in
our town. The availability of trails and woods for the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall
add to everything else Reading has to offer its residents.
Thank you.
Reading Trails Committee
Tom Gardiner, Chairman
Joan Hoyt, Secretary
Dave Williams, Member
Susan Giacalone, Member
Alan Rosh, Member
John Parsons, Associate Member
Will Finch, Associate Member
February - 2012