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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-02-MBS-agenda.pdf i11 `,y i 9 ARRILpM/ 4.0XINO'RO0 Town of Lexington DPW ' 1 Minuteman Bikepath Steering Committee Tuesday, September 2, 1997 Lexington DPW Operations Facility 201 Bedford St. 7:00 pm Agenda 1 Introduction of Committee Members 2. Project Scope - Introduction to the project 3 Review of proposed project plan 4 The media and the project's community exposure 5 Solicitation Volunteers 6 Identify Action Groups and Leaders Brian Gilbert, Public Grounds Supt. Town of Lexington DPW 201 Bedford Street,Lexington, MA 02173 Tel: (617)861 2757 FAX. (617) 861 2783 Please critically review the following project outline in relation to the goals and objectives submitted to the State (included in your package). As a committee we must identify specifically what we want to accomplish and how we're to get there. Some information/questions to keep in mind: A report (hardcopy) must be submitted to the state for reimbursement The State is looking for community exposure, activism and inclusion A budget is available for consulting services and other expenses (present thinking is the consultant will write the report) An inventory must be conducted(what info is to be collected ?) Volunteers should be used to gather some or all the information ? Project Plan A) Collect necessary information Site History Geology (if available) Site Analysis (existing) Use Plant Communities and habitats Signage (existing) Existing connections to other open space areas (id/describe these areas) Mechanical problems and impacts from adjacent areas Points of interest * Since some of the information must be collected in the field, a suggestion may be to organize an event, where volunteers collect the information in teams. I believe the newspaper would jump at the chance. T-shirts (depending on budget) and refreshments can be provided B) Organize Information from Site Analysis C) Identify the expanded potential use of the bikepath to meet the goals of the project Identify areas suitable for educational purposes Develop a system of pedestrian trails Identify a system of signs and markers designating trails, features, hort. specimens D) Develop a maintenance plan for Town Staff and Volunteers E) Draft report, approve and submit to state F) The Future bomorenensrve nnanaoemeni of Lexington Minuteman Commuter Bikeway Habitats A comprehensive approach to managing Lexington's heritage of street trees, forests and woodlands is needed. The recent release of the Conservation Commission's 1997 Open Space Plan is a valuable document from which to launch planning to identify and evaluate the stress points in our endangered "suburban forest" environment. The street tree system is endangered because most trees are aging, with a greater number of removals than new plantings; in woodlands invasive species are out competing the natives, in some places becoming a monoculture; and there is little natural regeneration of valuable native understory The transformation of the old B&M rail right of way into the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway has created a linear park, five and one half miles long, partially landscaped and with many different kinds of recreational use. Contiguous to the Bikeway are many dedicated open spaces, some park, some conservation and town-owned land, and some quasi public. A recommendation for action is needed after a plant and habitat survey is completed. A planting plan would identify key areas or spaces where a big impact could be made. For example, there are areas in the center of town completely barren of trees and shrubs, where traffic from the Bikeway spills haphazardly into the streets and parking areas. This creates an interruption to the otherwise natural characteristic of the park encourages litter and vandalism. A well planned planting program would improve the appearance, better direct users and help to instill community pride. Another area off the Bikeway next to school grounds has a very old canopy of aging Oak and Hickory which need an infusion of young trees. In preliminary discussions with the Town and various school and community groups, we know there is motivation for planning and action in the form of both funds and inkind services for specific places, but what is needed is a comprehensive look ai the natural features of this new park with its multiple jurisdictions, and a staggered implementation program, involving both public and private resources. In an age of limited municipal funds, it would be a shame to squander our finest resource - the living landscape of the native urban forest. We can take maximum advantage of willing volunteers to improve this valuable resource with a comprehensive plan. This grant would allow us to develop such a plan and then implement it through a combination of public and private work. Goals and Objectives: 1 To Preserve the Natural Heritage of Lexington's New Linear Park, Comprised of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway (Jack Eddison Bikeway) and Adjoining Public Open Spaces. A. To organize habitat inventories and research on certain lands identified in the 1997 Lexington Open Space Plan. B Develop a planting plan as an element of the 1997 Open Space Plan emphasizing the use of native trees and shrubs. C To encourage responsible recreation along the Bikeway and contiguous open space through community associations, stewardship committees, schools, youth groups, outing and conservation organizations and senior citizen groups. D To identify areas suitable for educational pedestrian paths off the bikeway 2. To Develop a management Program to Assure Appropriate Use of this Linear Park. A. To identify key habitats from the Town Center east to the Arlington border B. To install and maintain a coherent system of signs and markers designating trails, features, horticultural specimens, and points of interest. C To develop a system of pedestrian trails leading off the bikeway D To halt erosion on trails and slopes and other instances of degradation E. To create a management plan for each key habitat, including control of invasive alien plants such as NoFway Maple, European Buckthorn and Polygonum. 3 To involve Citizens, Students, Civic Groups and Community Organizations in the Planning, Implementation and Management of this Linear Park. A. To work with existing groups such as the Lexington Stewardship Committee and Friends of the Bikeway to plan and accomplish the above goals. B, To bring in other community groups and individuals who use and are affected by the Bikeway C To assist schools in efforts promoting natural science research in unique areas such as Great Meadows. D Develop a yearly maintenance plan for new plantings coordinating stewardship groups and town personnel. E. To initiate cooperative planning with the Town of Arlington and individual abbutors regarding planting design. A description and histories of a number of sites along the Bikeway have been included.