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
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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.
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!
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!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Happy Birthday Smokey!
Save the date!
August 9th; Smokey Bear 65th Celebration; Bass Pro Shop at Patriot Place ~ New
England Patriot’s/Gillette Stadium; Foxboro; 11:00 AM thru 3:00 PM
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/firecont/docs/preventionprograms.pdf
http://www.smokeybear.com/
August 9th; Smokey Bear 65th Celebration; Bass Pro Shop at Patriot Place ~ New
England Patriot’s/Gillette Stadium; Foxboro; 11:00 AM thru 3:00 PM
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/firecont/docs/preventionprograms.pdf
http://www.smokeybear.com/
The Carolyn Long Trail
In 1960, after the tragic death of town forest planner, and committee member Carolyn Long, the Appalachian Mountain Club cut a trail which was named for and dedicated in her honor.
The Carolyn Long Trail is a very beautiful and diverse part of the Town Forest. It contains both Conservation and Public Domain land, three current wetland crossings, a foundation, and a wide array of habitat and diverse species. In addition to fabulous stone walls there are many glacial erratics. The Trail eventually crosses Wiggins, and loops around to rejoin Wiggins, thereby making a loop.
The trail entrance is at 255 Pine Street. Several trail maintence projects have been planned for this summer. We hope to see you in the Forest!
The Carolyn Long Trail is a very beautiful and diverse part of the Town Forest. It contains both Conservation and Public Domain land, three current wetland crossings, a foundation, and a wide array of habitat and diverse species. In addition to fabulous stone walls there are many glacial erratics. The Trail eventually crosses Wiggins, and loops around to rejoin Wiggins, thereby making a loop.
The trail entrance is at 255 Pine Street. Several trail maintence projects have been planned for this summer. We hope to see you in the Forest!
Holbrook Town Forest Summer 2009
We want you!
In preparation of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Carolyn Long Trail
the Town Forest Committee has planned the following trail work events:
Saturday July 11 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday July 14 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday July 22 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Sunday July 26 8am - 11:30am
Saturday August 1 9am - noon & 3pm - 6pm
Monday August 10 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Sunday August 23 3pm – 6pm
Saturday August 29 9am - noon & 3pm - 6pm
Meet at the Carolyn Long entrance, 255 Pine Street.
Bring water, bug spray, gloves and tools. Also, we suggest long pants and long sleeves.
We all work at our own pace, enjoy a few hours outdoors, and are contributing to a great cause!
MONTHLY MEETINGS of the Forest Committee:
Conservation Office, Town Hall Wed July 15th & August 19th 7:30 pm
For more information email: forest@holbrookmassachusetts.us, phone: 781-767-4312
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