The Trails Committee on Wednesday discussed some of its recent efforts to increase public awareness of trails, reach out to town committees and encourage trail use.

Chair Peter LaGoy noted that he appeared at Monday’s Planning Board meeting. He requested the removal of three trees near 101 Ash Street, a scenic road, that would allow for better access to existing parking at the trailhead there.

He and member Sean Kimball recently met with abutters in the neighborhood to learn about any potential concerns. There will be a follow-up meeting in the near future. The Planning Board scheduled a site walk for May 27 at 5 p.m.

LaGoy also attended the May 1 School Committee meeting to discuss potential trails projects that would impact the schools.

LaGoy spoke then about creating a stone dust path from Loop Road to the Chamberlain Street Extension. He sought School Committee input regarding ideas to have trails from Hopkins School to EMC Park, Chamberlain Extension to West Main Street and Lumber Street, and the future Charleswood School to Loop Road.

School Committee chair Nancy Cavanaugh seemed receptive to the idea of increasing walking access to the schools. Members raised questions about safety and trail maintenance.

At the Trails Committee meeting, LaGoy stressed that the trails in town are safe.

“Kids are very safe in Hopkinton to begin with,” he said. “Trails are probably even a safer place. So that’s the facts.

“We understand there’s a perceived risk,” LaGoy continued. “And there are ways to mitigate that perceived risk.”

Member Jane Moran told the committee about how Milford has fences around the trails near its schools. Community feedback on safety features would be important to consider.

LaGoy added that he recently received revised plans from engineering firm Beals & Thomas on the planned stone dust path from Loop Road to the Chamberlain Street Extension.

The Select Board also offered the committee advice at its April 23 meeting regarding the proposed trial trail sign project. Select Board members advised the committee on approvals needed from other committees. Town Manager Elaine Lazarus suggested that signs be placed at trails with parking areas.

The committee decided to place signs near the International Marathon Center site and at Whisper Way near the Cameron Woods trailhead because of the parking there.

“We’re really trying to have a cooperative, supportive approach with the town,” said member Linda Chuss.

Member Jack Buckley added that he has been working with realtor Chuck Joseph to set up a listening session between committee members and local realtors. They plan to discuss the benefits of promoting trail access when marketing homes. The committee hopes to schedule this near the end of June.

AllTrails, other trail apps discussed

Kimball updated the committee on the potential for utilizing the AllTrails app to locate more of Hopkinton’s trails. Names and email addresses for the administrators should be provided to the company. Administrators then can send geographic information system (GIS) mapping coordinates to AllTrails to differentiate private and public trails.

“Also, AllTrails will provide information about usage,” he added. “We can get heat maps, figure out where people are going, frequency, that type of stuff.”

This will provide the committee with useful data regarding current trail usage and future trail accessibility and design.

Chuss noted that Open Street Map provides data to all the trail apps. She suggested that the committee look into going directly through OSM. Chuss volunteered to reach out to the company, as she had contact information from a recent webinar she attended.

Member David Freed said that as a mountain biker, he likes Trailforks. He explained that this app allows users to select an activity. Then the app will suggest trails that are geared toward that pursuit.

LaGoy said it would be helpful to compare the data from different apps on one trail as a start.

Working group to meet June 4

The committee voted 8-0 to hold a working group session on June 4 to discuss prioritization of projects. The group will be taking into account money that needs to be spent by the end of fiscal year on June 30. Vice chair Scott Knous did not attend the meeting.