Park Service Day

Friday September 25th 4-6 pm
Cleanup and walk to we celebrate Park Service Day
Bring, water, a snack and bug spray.
Please wear long sleeves and long pants and weather appropriate clothing.
Meet at the Park Drive entrance.

Sponsored by the Holbrook Town Forest Committee, Holbrook Friends of the Forest,
Cub Scouts Pack 56, Boy Scouts Troops 56 & the South School Ecology Club

Bigger, faster, and more abundant mosquitoes may be breeding in a river or stream near you

"A new scientific study presented at this month’s meeting of the Ecological Society of America reaches the scary conclusion that mosquitoes carriers of the West Nile Virus and other diseases thrive in waterways contaminated by sewage. As if we needed even more public health reasons to clean up and prevent sewage pollution.
Sadly, untreated sewage pollution still flows regularly into many of New England’s rivers and streams as a result of sewage spills from aging or improperly maintained sewage collection and pumping systems."http://www.clf.org/blog/?p=160

So, maybe, things are not so simple, and bug spray and filling in wetlands isn't the only answer. Responsibly dealing with waste water saves lives.

"If you can't beat 'em. eat 'em"

After pulling massive amounts of the invasive weed "Poison Ivy" at entrance to the Holbrook Town Forest , we can't help but wonder it other invasive weeds might be of value...

http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/09/03/invasive-plants-from-pest-to-pesto/

Invasive's are species that came from someplace else, and, if left unchecked, can truly take over. They generally have no native enemies, and can totally wreak havoc on the ecosystem. This eventually trickles down and can devastate the local floral and fauna.
We don't advocate eating Poison Ivy but, we sure do think that if less yard waste was dumped into the Holbrook Town Forest, then "invasive species" would be less of a problem! Please, think before you dump, and help preserve our beautiful local treasure.

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

ATV law approved

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has approved an amendment to Holbrook's bylaws setting a fine of up to $250 for persons riding motor vehicles in the Holbrook Town Forest.
This should help make things safer for those walking the Town Forest, quieter for those neighbors surrounding the area , and help stop the destruction of this beautiful natural resource. The trails have taken quite a beating the last few years.
Hikers and neighbors are requested to report any sitings, including get as much info as possible (plate numbers, etc) and call the Police at 781-767-1212 to inform them of any illegal activity that may be taken place near their homes regarding ATV and dirt bikes staging to get into the forest.
The Forest can be a safer, quieter place with your help.

Forest Support Needed This Monday

The Holbrook Town Forest committee has proposed a small parking area at 255 Pine Street at the Carolyn Long entrance. This would allow approximately 8 cars to pull off the street and park and turn around room so they would not need to be doing U-turns on Pine Street, or blocking neighbor’s driveways. We hope to remove only a few trees on the lot, and to have a picnic table and kiosk with uniform signage. The lot has 124 feet of frontage.

The purpose of this project is to increase accessibility to the Town Forest. This will also allow a place for groups to meet to enter the forest, keep the younger kids from being in the street, and be a resting/picnic spot for those entering the Town Forest. Additionally, this should help reduce some of the strain/ overuse/erosion/neighbor issues on Park Drive and Wiggins Trail.

As you may recall, next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Carolyn Long Trail, and this is part of the Town Forest Committee’ s and Friends of the Forest’s efforts to revitalize that trail.

A Conservation hearing is this Monday night at 7:30, the abutters have been notified, and if you support this project, could you please come or leave a message of support with the Town Administrator or email the Holbrook Town Forest Committee or the Conservation Commission. Public input is vital to this being a successful project.

Michael Yunits: town_administrator@holbrookmassachusetts.us 781-767-4312
Holbrook Town Forest Committee forest@holbrookmassachusetts.us 781-767-4312
Holbrook Conservation Commission conservation@holbrookmassachusetts.us 781-767-9058


Thank you & see you in the Forest!

Trail work continues

The Long trail revitialztion is coming along. Please join us if you can help. Dates are posted below, and we have snacks!