Holbrook Town Forest: Parking Area Proposal

Here is an official informational letter from the Town Forest Committee:

Holbrook has a wonderful community resource for everyone to enjoy: the Holbrook Town Forest. Unfortunately, we have no sites for parking cars to access these 100-plus acres of green and welcoming public land.
After much surveying and researching, the Holbrook Town Forest Committee has concluded that 225 Pine St. is the most viable and economic choice for a public parking site. The space will provide direct access to the Carolyn Long Trail. It will allow 8 cars to pull off of the street and park safely with room to turn around. This will prevent the need for making U-turns on Pine St. and the blocking of sidewalks and neighbors’ driveways. It will also prevent young children from crossing the street or walking around vehicles parked on the street.
This town-owned lot at 255 Pine St. has 124 feet of frontage. The off-street parking site will be a small portion toward the front and right of the lot. Since it will be visible to passing police cruisers, its proximity to the street will be a deterrent to after-hours loitering.
Recently, we had a site walk with our town administrator and two members of the Holbrook Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission has determined there are no wetland issues with this project. We will be using pervious material (gravel) for topping the parking area surface so as to affect as little of the natural environment as possible and to keep its appearance as natural and unobtrusive as possible. Only a few small trees, mostly pines, will be removed to prepare the site. We have submitted layout of this plan to the Selectmen and the Conservation Commission.
An information board with signs, bulletins, and map holders, similar to the ones used at other public parks, will be located further off of the street at this same lot.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Carolyn Long Trail. The Holbrook Town Forest Committee continues to work hard to make our town forest a source of pride and accessibility to all. Improving accessibility to this trail is a key component to its preservation and revitalization. In addition this project will enable our town to qualify for grant money by increasing our use of open space.
We look forward to creating something positive for our town in these troubling economic times. As stewards of our town forest, we shall continue working to protect this wonderful resource and to improve its access to the public. All residents of Holbrook deserve a safe and convenient entry into our town forest. We welcome further input and suggestions.

See you in the Forest,

The Town Forest Committee
Patricia Greely
Gene Santorelli
Dave Dingledy