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V AOR <br /> Town of Lexington, Massachusetts <br /> �ai o ; Greenways Corridor Committee <br /> m <br /> t \ APRILI9" <br /> L�X I N G'r plZ% <br /> KEITH OHMART,CHAIR <br /> MALCOLM CRAWFORD TEL:781-698-4580 <br /> ALEXANDRA DOHAN FAX:(781)863-9468 <br /> MARGARET ENDERS <br /> EILEEN ENTIN <br /> DONALD GRANT <br /> ROBERT HAUSSLEIN <br /> SUSAN KENYON <br /> MICHAEL TABACZYNSKI <br /> To: Lexington Conservation Commission <br /> Re: Parker Meadow Accessible Trail Upgrades <br /> Date: February 18,2020 <br /> The Greenways Corridor Committee wishes to confirm its strong support for proposed plans to upgrade the Parker Meadow trail <br /> system and parking facilities to Universal Accessible standards.The proposed upgrades are part of a history of prior trail upgrades to <br /> this property to provide better access to users while lessening user impact on the environment.Those familiar with the property may <br /> recall the previous significant trail upgrade project,which took place approximately ten years ago.That project replaced a series of <br /> floating planks with a raised boardwalk for the trail segment leading to Hancock Street. <br /> Like this previous project,the present proposal will also provide for visitor as well as environmentally friendly upgrades to other parts <br /> of the Parker Meadow trail system but this time will be designed to include all users,including those with mobility issues. The present <br /> trail system is in need of refurbishing to address several issues including replacement of aging boardwalks that have reached the end <br /> of their useful life,realignment of a portion of the existing trail to eliminate a steep grade that is subject to erosion,and addressing a <br /> seasonally muddy section of trail that has been compacted over time exposing tree roots due to heavy foot traffic. <br /> In meeting these challenges,the proposed improvements will not require the creation of any new trails,except in those instances <br /> where realignment of existing trail segments will be beneficial to the user experience and the environment. Resurfacing of the existing <br /> trails to be upgraded will be accomplished with a stone dust or similar surfacing material except in those areas that will require <br /> construction of boardwalk or bridge structures.This will enhance the trail experience for all users including those with mobility issues, <br /> while providing a more sustainable walking surface that will reduce or eliminate the likelihood of future trail erosion. <br /> These combined improvements will provide a net environmental benefit over present conditions while at the same time expanding the <br /> accessibility of Town Conservation land to those individuals currently excluded from this experience due to mobility and other <br /> physical handicaps.The terrain and location of Parker Meadow make this property unique in our community for achieving these <br /> results.The property is located adjacent to the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway,which provides accessible access from the center of <br /> town, and is accessible to the residents of Douglas House,which provides housing for those requiring an assisted living environment. <br /> The terrain of Parker Meadow itself is ideal for this project as it is largely flat with few elevation changes that would require more <br /> extensive re-grading of the existing trail system. <br /> The proposed upgrades to the existing trail system and parking facilities at Parker Meadow can be accomplished with minimal <br /> changes to the layout of the existing trail system and with relatively modest additions to the existing built environment compared to <br /> what might be entailed in the choice of other Conservation properties in town for a project of this nature. <br /> (Signed) <br /> Keith Ohmart,Chair <br /> 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 <br /> greenwaycc@lexingtonma.gov <br />