Happier Trails at Middlesex Fells?

State officials have launched a draft trail system plan for the Middlesex Fells Reservation in an effort to reduce tensions between hikers, mountain bikers, dog owners and several other stakeholder groups who use the reservation regularly.

Nearly 200 residents attended a public meeting in Medford on Monday to hear a public presentation and share their concerns with officials.

Over the past year, officials from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) have been assessing trail conditions and asking for public feedback for how to best manage the reservation's resources.

"It's really the diversity of the Fells ... that makes it a special place," said Paul Jahnige, Director of Greenways and Trails for the DCR. There are 122 miles of trails within the Middlesex Fells Reservation's 2,575 acres. The reservation land encompasses the southwestern section of Melrose and four other neighboring cities and towns. Jahnige and the DCR have been investigating the current use of resources within the reservation.

"We had to take a hard look at the trail system," Jahnige said. He said that many of the trails are in relatively good condition, but there are about 500 points of trail damage throughout the reservation. Jahnige hopes to reduce the number of trails over the next few years.

"The trail system at the Fells is extensive and confusing," he said.

Jahnige said there has been a broad disregard for trail rules throughout the reservation. He said the DCR is also trying to prevent user conflict between hikers, mountain bikers, and dog walkers by designating trails for specific uses. Melrose residents have been dealing with similar conflicts at Mount Hood Memorial Park.

One mountain biker at the public meeting wanted to dispel the notion that bike riders wanted to create conflict for other user groups. He told DCR officials that bikers care about the use of trails and the long-term sustainability of the reservation.

"Running, hiking, and mountain biking cause similar effects on the environment," Jahnige said.  The end goal is to manage trail experiences, he said.  According to the trail plan draft, activities such as dog recreation on trails, use of off-highway vehicles, and overnight activity (without a permit) will be prohibited. Jahnige said the size of the crowds at public meetings is a good indicator of how many residents care about the reservation.

The DCR is making their draft plan available online to residents. Residents will have 60 days to review the plan and leave feedback on the DCR Web site.

Joe Orfant, Chief of the Bureau of Planning and Resource Protection at the DCR, said the plan that is released is "malleable."

"It's very important we understand what you want," Orfant said. "We'll be relying on volunteers and nonprofit groups (to help solicit feedback)."

The Middlesex Fells Reservation Draft Trail System Plan can be downloaded at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/greenwaysfellspast.htm. Public feedback is encouraged and residents can email their comments to Paul Jahnige at Paul.jahnige@state.ma.us.