HomeMy WebLinkAboutOpen Space Comm. 02/26/2018Town of Mansfield RECEIVED
Open Space and Recreation Cor�rMFtt$ _¢` W0 OFF ICE
February 26, 2018 A � 142
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Present: Sharon Friedman; Aaron Roth; Colin CauldwelhC F'Ctaj r, Conservation and
Environmental Planner .! „0 , o I S
The meeting began at 5:37 pm in room 2 a/b
Mr. Cauldwell opened the first agenda item to organize the Committee. Ms. Gonyer stated that since
there was a quorum present, the Committee should at least nominate a Chairman. Ms. Friedman made
the motion to nominate Mr. Cauldwell as the chairman of the Open Space and Recreation committee.
Mr. Roth seconded. Motion carried 3-0-0.
Ms. Friedman made the motion to nominate Mr. Roth as the co-chairman of the Open Space and
Recreation committee. Mr. Cauldwell seconded. Motion carried 3-0-0.
Mr. Cauldwell reviewed the three areas that the Committee members were to visit and take a
maintenance inventory on each parcel. The parcels were Streese Property, Corporal Hardy Property, and
Great Woods. Ms. Friedman commented that the Streese Property needs the trails cleared and the wet
areas along the trail need new boardwalks Ms. Friedman noted that there were a lot of downed trees
that needed to be removed. Mr. Cauldwell agreed.
Mr. Roth stated that Streese Property needed signage. Mr. Cauldwell mentioned the Streese Property
may need a bigger sign. Poison Ivy is a big problem at this parcel. There are also downed trees. Mr.
Cauldwell mentioned that all the trails need trail signage. The Committee discussed expanding the trail
system at Streese to the north along Town -owned property.
Mr. Roth discussed the need for more access points to Streese. The Committee discussed potential
access points. Mr. Cauldwell stated that we would need a survey to find out if we have access to these
parcels to the Streese Property along the Canoe River.
Ms. Gonyer noted the Sharon Open Space Committee invited regional Committee's to discuss regional
open space issues and goals on March 6th at 8pm. She discussed the need to try to connect a regional
greenbelt.
Ms. Gonyer mentioned that an eagle scout just replaced a boardwalk in the Streese Property. Mr.
Cauldwell discussed putting signage along adjacent roads that point to Conservation Lands, Ms. Gonyer
proposed to request funds from the Conservation Committee for general signage.
Ms. Gonyer recommended planning a weekend clean-up at a conservation property sometime this
spring and summer. Ms. Gonyer recommended contacting DPW to spray the Poison Ivy along the trails
throughout the larger Conservation Areas.
The Committee discussed creating a boilerplate sign to use at all Conservation Areas. Mr. Cauldwell
stated that we need uniform signage.
Mr. Cauldwell polled the Committee on the status of Great Woods. Ms. Friedman was concerned about
motorized vehicle, including dirt bikes, in Great Woods. The Committee discussed getting the police
involved for enforcement. Trash is also a concern within the trails. The parking area needs to be
regraded. Mr, Cauldwell discussed the need for plowing when it snows because people still use the
trails in the winter. They discussed the needs of all the different trails.
Mr. Cauldwell stated that the gate at the red trails at Great Woods needs to be shut and locked at all
times to prevent motorized vehicles from entering the conservation areas. The Committee discussed
blazing new trails throughout Great Woods. There were a few "future trails" noted on the trail maps.
Mr. Cauldwell discussed the ruins of the Codding Farm within the Great Woods. The Committee agreed
that the Codding Farm area needs to be maintained or we will lose the fields in the woods. Ms. Gonyer
asked if the same volunteers that mowed the fields near the Oak Street Parking Lot were the people
that maintained the Codding Farms fields. Mr. Cauldwell recommended maintaining the grassland
habitat. It was supposed to be maintained as grassland. Ms. Friedman asked about regional colleges
having any volunteer work to help restore grassland and maintain it. Ms. Gonyer stated that Oak Knoll
Audubon has a lot of staff for outreach. The Committee recommended contacting Oak Knoll to see if
they can provide any outreach education in Mansfield.
The Committee discussed Sweets/Kalnins parcels. Ms. Gonyer explained the recent Scout project to
remove a large tree fort and to install new trail diamonds. Mr. Roth discussed the need for signage for
the trailhead. Ms. Gonyer noted that there are funds from the Scout Project that could be used to
purchase signage. Mr. Cauldwell recommended that we ask the users of the ballfields to hold a clean-up
day to remove trash from the ball fields at the end of every season. Mr. Roth noted there is some
concern regarding hunting on this parcel. Ms. Gonyer indicated that the Conservation Commission
revoked hunting at that parcel in 2016. The Committee agreed to put a kiosk at the trailhead in the
parking lot. Ms. Gonyer will bring this in front of the Conservation Commission to use the Scout funds.
Mr. Cauldwell suggested selecting three parcels for review prior to the next Open Space and Recreation
Committee Meeting. The Committee selected Memorial Park, Plymouth Street, and WWII Veterans.
There was discussion regarding the information that should be gathered from each site. The Committee
will review the findings at the next meeting.
The Committee discussed meeting times and scheduling. The next meeting is to be held March 19, 2018
at 5:30pm
Motion to adjourn at 6:55 pm. Motion carried.
Chairman Signature DATE