The Trails Committee at its meeting Wednesday discussed maintenance efforts for the Center Trail and future preservation of the land along its sides.

Chair Peter LaGoy explained that the Center Trail is the most frequented of the town’s trails. He hoped to increase its usage by learning how the land on either side of it can be protected.

“While the Hughes Farm Trail and Echo Trail are essentially protected,” he said, “for the Center Trail, the east side is protected, but the west side is not.”

He noted that about two-thirds of the trail is on school property, while the rest is on town-owned land.

“We need to keep this front and center so we don’t get surprised down the road,” LaGoy continued.

To increase its present accessibility, the board voted unanimously to approve the allocation of up to $4,000 to remove “hazardous trees” on the Center Trail. A split tree and three dead black cherry trees were mentioned. A professional tree removal consultant recommended by the Department of Public Works would be used, and LaGoy would be included in discussions regarding the scope of the project.

Member Fran DeYoung initially said he would like to see a plan submitted that discussed how the trees will be removed and if possible chipping would be involved. LaGoy agreed that this should be done in future instances. Because of the immediate need, LaGoy said that a verbal agreement would “speed it along” in this case.

Also regarding the Center Trail, vice chair Chuck Dauchy said the grading of the “old woods road” trails on the Chamberlain Street side of the Center Trail past Field 13 were “basically done” through the free work of a contractor.

At the June meeting, Dauchy said the land has been cleared for a trail connecting the southern end of the Chamberlain Road Extension to the Hopkinton High School Field 13 area. Another branch will run north from near the Chamberlain cul-de-sac to the area near Field 11. Some depressions needed to be filled in by a contractor to make the surface smooth.

LaGoy asked if a compactor had been used to compress the ground. Dauchy said he did not believe so because there were still some stones and protruding tree roots.

A century ago, LaGoy explained, the woods trails originated when horses would draw carriages through the area, flattening the ground. Now school cross country running teams tend to use that area, which would help smooth the terrain naturally. To aid users, he suggested using stone dust on the surface.

Dauchy said a future work project could be to clear the area at the southern stretch of trail at Field 13. Stringers, long pieces of narrow wood, would allow for crossing of the 11-foot stream there until a permanent bridge us built. Committee members were receptive to this idea, and LaGoy said it would encourage use at that area.

Fitness equipment project back on track

LaGoy announced that he had spoken with the company supplying the fitness equipment that was slated to be used as part of a Scout project. It would be placed off of Center Trail, just north of the Loop Road intersection.

Originally proposed last September as an Eagle Scout project by Srivar Yerramsetti, the project included installation of a sit-up bench, pull-up bars, horizontal bars and a balance beam. Supply chain delays and communication issues between the town and the supplier hindered the project, LaGoy explained.

“In talking to them further and looking at other options, they still seem to be the best option,” he said, noting that the Denver-based company had been used for a Holliston project. “It’s almost ready to go. There’s good progress there.”

He added that he reached out to the Scouts, who he said are willing to work on the project as part of a Scout work day with the help of Yerramsetti’s plans.

‘Kid-friendly’ element at Hughes Trail suggested

LaGoy said he had a recent discussion with Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT) president Morrie Gasser about introducing a “kid-friendly” element at Hughes Farm Trail. This would include large rocks and logs on which children could play, climb and walk.

He said Gasser initially preferred that the logs and rocks be located on the eastern side of the stream there. Members discussed how the open field would be a more attractive option due to the flatter terrain. It would be about a quarter-mile walk to that area, LaGoy said, which would give the kids more exercise.

LaGoy described the field option as “an open palette.” He added that he will include the Parks & Recreation Commission in discussions about the concept.

Future goals discussed

At the next meeting on Sept. 25, the committee will be discussing its future goals in more detail, particularly its desire to create a master plan.

“We need to discuss the things we need to be doing to better serve our clientele,” LaGoy said. “And by that I mean the town’s 18,000-20,000 residents, not just the 200 regular users.”

The committee also hopes to appear before the Select Board in the near future to discuss the review of its charter. A draft had been submitted in October 2023, but it has yet to be addressed.

“We’ve been in operation for six years,” said LaGoy. “We’ve done a lot of stuff. Let’s just have the charter so it better matches our goals.”

DeYoung said the charter and a master plan will “get a buy-in to other constituencies to show where some of our goals are aligned.”

LaGoy agreed, noting that the Trails Committee has been working cooperatively with HALT, the Open Space Preservation Commission, the Trails Club and the DPW.