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ARTICLE 14 (b) Project: Willard's Woods Site Improvements CPA Category: Recreational Resources Amount Requested: $138,273 Amount Recommended: $138,273 CPC Vote: 9-0 Project Description: Willard's Woods is the largest and most popular conservation area in Lexington, with over 100 acres of open meadow, old-growth pine forest, wetlands, and a historic mill pond. A stone dust bike path runs across the property, connecting North Street with Brent Road and Hathaway Road. This path is part of the Across Lexington trail system,but it is not fully accessible to a mobility-impaired user and it is in need of repair. The Conservation Commission proposes to upgrade and improve this path and to use it as the basis of exploring and creating an expanded trail system that meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the principles of universal design, in order to open some of the experience of Willard's Woods to visitors with a wider range of abilities. The project will also include upgraded and accessible parking and universally designed navigation and interpretive signage, benches and picnic areas that are usable by all visitors, including those with mobility, vision, or other functional limitations. The project will be completed in two stages. This FY20 funding is for the first stage. It will be used (1) to hire an established natural resources management firm to produce a comprehensive land management plan, which will identify areas of special significance in Willards Woods and develop a plan for long-term maintenance of the property; and (2) to enable design, surveying, engineering, construction planning and permitting for the proposed universally designed enhancements, which will be located, to the extent possible, to take advantage of features identified in the land management plan. The second stage of the project, anticipated for FY21, will be construction of the trail, parking improvements and other elements of the plans developed in stage one. Project Goals and Objectives: • Provide funds to complete a comprehensive land management and site plan completed by an established natural resource management firm; and • Address accessibility issues on the property, the trail, and surrounding site. Project Benefit: Willard's Woods provides an important natural oasis for many hikers, dog walkers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts. The land management and site plan would assist the Conservation Commission with long-tern planning and implementation of site improvements in a historically and ecologically sensitive manner. The property supports place-based educational programming for the Diamond Middle School and hosts a half-mile segment of the ACROSS Route A Town- wide trail system. 11