HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-18-GCC-ParkerMeadowLtr V AOR
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
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KEITH OHMART,CHAIR
MALCOLM CRAWFORD TEL:781-698-4580
ALEXANDRA DOHAN FAX:(781)863-9468
MARGARET ENDERS
EILEEN ENTIN
DONALD GRANT
ROBERT HAUSSLEIN
SUSAN KENYON
MICHAEL TABACZYNSKI
To: Lexington Conservation Commission
Re: Parker Meadow Accessible Trail Upgrades
Date: February 18,2020
The Greenways Corridor Committee wishes to confirm its strong support for proposed plans to upgrade the Parker Meadow trail
system and parking facilities to Universal Accessible standards.The proposed upgrades are part of a history of prior trail upgrades to
this property to provide better access to users while lessening user impact on the environment.Those familiar with the property may
recall the previous significant trail upgrade project,which took place approximately ten years ago.That project replaced a series of
floating planks with a raised boardwalk for the trail segment leading to Hancock Street.
Like this previous project,the present proposal will also provide for visitor as well as environmentally friendly upgrades to other parts
of the Parker Meadow trail system but this time will be designed to include all users,including those with mobility issues. The present
trail system is in need of refurbishing to address several issues including replacement of aging boardwalks that have reached the end
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
seasonally muddy section of trail that has been compacted over time exposing tree roots due to heavy foot traffic.
In meeting these challenges,the proposed improvements will not require the creation of any new trails,except in those instances
where realignment of existing trail segments will be beneficial to the user experience and the environment. Resurfacing of the existing
trails to be upgraded will be accomplished with a stone dust or similar surfacing material except in those areas that will require
construction of boardwalk or bridge structures.This will enhance the trail experience for all users including those with mobility issues,
while providing a more sustainable walking surface that will reduce or eliminate the likelihood of future trail erosion.
These combined improvements will provide a net environmental benefit over present conditions while at the same time expanding the
accessibility of Town Conservation land to those individuals currently excluded from this experience due to mobility and other
physical handicaps.The terrain and location of Parker Meadow make this property unique in our community for achieving these
results.The property is located adjacent to the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway,which provides accessible access from the center of
town, and is accessible to the residents of Douglas House,which provides housing for those requiring an assisted living environment.
The terrain of Parker Meadow itself is ideal for this project as it is largely flat with few elevation changes that would require more
extensive re-grading of the existing trail system.
The proposed upgrades to the existing trail system and parking facilities at Parker Meadow can be accomplished with minimal
changes to the layout of the existing trail system and with relatively modest additions to the existing built environment compared to
what might be entailed in the choice of other Conservation properties in town for a project of this nature.
(Signed)
Keith Ohmart,Chair
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
greenwaycc@lexingtonma.gov