I am pleased to present our 2005 Trails Report. We had members that were doing trail work in their areas submit the work that they did along with various trail work days that were sponsored by BSTRA.
The Mendon project was definitely a highlight for us. A new parking area and new trails to ride on. Sara Minsk did a great job putting this whole project together!
Values for work is as follows: $17.05 (gov. value) for basic labor, $30 for chainsaw work and $50 for brush hog work.
Mendon Trail Work Days, Mendon, MA - April 16th - 5 hours, May 4th - 3.5 hours, May 5th - 1.75 hours, May 7th - 7 hours, May 14th - 19.75 hours, May 16th - 4 hours, May 28th - 42.5 hours, May 29 - 4.5 hours.
These work days consisted of laying out a new trail and clearing these trails plus mowing the field that is going to be our new parking lot for the Mendon Trails. All total 88 hours were put in on this project. That gives us a total value of $1,648.60 put into the Mendon trails system.
Grafton Land Trust property, Grafton, MA - Clearing trails April 10 & 30th. Sept. 5 & 19th. For a total of 6 hours and a value of $102.30
March 6 - Assawompsett Pond Complex, Middleborough, MA - GPS trail mapping for 3 hours for a value of $60.
April 10 - Upton State Forest Trail Work Day, Upton, MA - This work day entailed cutting (chain saw work) and brushing back areas of trails that were getting over grown and clean up of winter dead fall. We were joined by students from Bartlett High School, Webster MA. A total of 52.05 hours was put in for the days work. This gives us a value of $991.05 of labor that was donated to the Upton State Forest.
April 16th - West Hill Dam Trail Work Day, Uxbridge, MA - Work consisted of removing downed trees, brushing back and cleaning out water bars. Workers put in a total of 24 hours for a value of $409.20 worth of trail work donated to West Hill Dam's trail system.
April 17th - Earth Day Ride at Upton State Forest, Upton, MA - We had 15 riders that spent their ride picking up trash on the trails at Upton State Forest and hauling it out on horseback. That gave us 30 hours of trash detail with a value of $511.50 to clean up the trails.
May 21st - Trail Work Day at Assawompsett Pond Complex in Middleboro, MA - This work day consisted of trail clearing, putting up some trail markers and picking up trash. Workers spent 15 hours total for a value of $255.75
May 14th - Trail Work day at Callahan State Park, Framingham, MA - Clearing winter damage on trails. 2 hours. Value $34.10
May 28th - Clearing trails on DFW property on Grafton/Millbury line - Four hours for a value of $68.20
June 25th - Trail Work Day at Callahan State Park, Framingham, MA - Trail workers targeted the two toughest overgrown areas of the park. They spent 12.5 hours of volunteer time with a value of $213.12 to improving the trails at Callahan.
July 9 & 17th - Clearing trails at Callahan State Park, Framingham, MA - Five hours total for a value of work donated of $85.25
July 30th - Trail Work Day at Lake Dennison, Winchendon, MA - This work consisted of two groups. One person brush hogged the field and some of the trail sides. The other group worked on a trail that was getting pretty over grown. All told volunteer labor and equipment totaled $604.60
Aug. 4th - Southern New England Trunkline Trail, Douglas, MA - Brush hog work on SNETT. Three hours with a value of $150
Aug. 15 - 20th - Clearing trails in Uxbridge, MA - Thirty hours were spent clearing trails to get them ready for the Lea MacInnis Judged Pleasure Ride. That is a value of $511.50 that was put into trails in Uxbridge.
Summer - Dorothy Francis Rice Wildlife Management Area, Peru, MA - Brush hogging, trail work and weed whacking trails for a total of 68 hours gives us a value of $2,806.90 put into these trails.
October - Bridge Project, Sudbury, MA - donated $300 to buy materials for a bridge project built by Andrew Gentile of the Sudbury Boy Scouts. The bridge was built on Sudbury Valley Trustees property and was a team effort between the three local community organizations.
Oct. 2nd - Buckhill Management Area, Burrillville, RI - Trail clearing. Three hours for a value of $51.15
Nov. 6th - Work day at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, MA - Ten hours put in by BSTRA members at NEMBA sponsored trail work day. Value of work was $170.50
Nov. 25th - Trash pick up at the Upton State Forest, Upton, MA - Three hours for a value of $51.15
Total: Add these all up and we come up with a grand total of $9,024.87 that BSTRA members put into trails in 2005!
The following is our list of on the ground trail work accomplishments for 2004. This doesn't count the numerous hours that BSTRA members spent attending meetings concerning trails and horseback riding access, so there is even more that members are putting back to our trails.
Values for work is as follows: $10.60 (gov. value) for basic labor, $20 for chainsaw work and $30 for brush hog work.
March 14th - Hopkinton State Forest, Hopkinton, MA - Cleaning and trimming up trails. Total of 22 hours was put in on this project. Project value $233.20
April 3rd - Douglas State Forest, Douglas, MA - Brushing and cutting back a one mile loop trail. A total of 42.5 hours was put in on this trail work day with a project value of $551.30
April 17th - Southern New England Trunkline Trail, Douglas, MA - Cutting and brushing back a half mile of trail. We put in 22 hours for a total of $233.20
April 21st - Southern New England Trunkline Trail, Douglas, MA - Cutting and brushing back a quarter mile of trail. Total of 6 hours put in for a value of $70.80
April 28th - Southern New England Trunkline Trail, Douglas, MA - Cutting and brushing back and fill in wash out. Total of 4 hours for a value of $42.40
May 9th - Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA - Cutting and brushing back trails at NEMBA sponsored trail work day. Total of 8 hours for a value of $84.80
May 16th - West Hill Dam, Uxbridge, MA - Replaced one water bar, cleaned out the rest of the water bars and some trail trimming. Total of 12 hours with a value of $127.20
June 20th - Callahan State Park, Framingham, MA - Cutting and brushing back trails. A total of 21 hours were put in by volunteers for a value of $222.60
Summer - Middlefield State Forest and Dorothy Frances Rice Sanctuary, Peru MA - Total of 28 hours for a value of $296.80 to improving the trails.
July 24th - Lake Dennison, Winchendon, MA - Mowed fields and sides of trails with tractor and brush hog. Total of 8 hours for a value of $240.00
Oct. 24th - Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA - Worked on replacing a bridge and a trail reroute at NEMBA sponsored trail work day, for a total of 9 hours. Giving us a value of $95.40 for this project.
Total: This gives us a total of $2,197.70 worth of volunteer labor that BSTRA put back into trails in 2004!! Nice job everyone!!
Please note - 2003 Hourly rate of $10 for labor, $20 for running chainsaw, $30 for running brush hog
April 13 - Upton State Forest, Upton MA. Trimming back on some trails. Cleaning and trimming around headquarters area, brush burning. 60 hours Value of work $720.00
April 18 - Upton State Forest, Upton MA Cutting and brushing back Grouse Trail. 10 hours. Value of work $100.00
April 19 - Mendon open space property, Mendon MA Mapping trails with GPS. 18 hours. Value of work $360.00
April 27 - Earth Day Ride: Upton State Forest, Upton MA 17 riders picked up 351 items of trash. 25.5 hours Value of work $255.00
May 17 - Southern New England Trunkline Trail, Douglas MA Between Martin Rd. & Monroe Street. Cutting and brushing back. 17.25 hours Value of work $215.75
May 18 - Callahan State Park, Framingham MA Clearing trail & putting up trail signs. 12.5 hours Value of work $125.00
June 7 - West Hill Dam, Uxbridge MA Trimming for horse height clearance, clean out water bars, brushing back. 28 hours Value of work $320.00
August 2 - Lake Dennison, Winchendon MA Brush hogging parking fields and cutting back access roads to fields. 12.66 hours Value of work $379.80
September 30 - Grand Trunk Trail GPS map Grand Trunk section in Douglas MA 1 hour. Value of work $20
Summer - Bridge for Mill Pond Trail, Hubbardston MA BSTRA letter of support helped Hubbardston open space committee get a grant for an Americorps crew (6 people) that worked 5 days to build new trail and bridge. BSTRA members also worked on bridge/trail project for a total of 57 hours. BSTRA donated $208.85 to pay for the lumber to construct the bridge. Total of 297 hours for all plus $208.85 for materials gives us $3,178.85 put in on this project.
Total: $5,674.40 is the grand total worth of work we put back into trails for 2003!!!
April 13 - West Hill Dam Trail Work Day Cleaned out the water bars and trash pick up. Total of 27.5 hours on this project. $291.50
April 20 - Douglas State Forest Work Day Installed 5 water bars on the Schmidt Trail. Total of 33 hours on this project. $349.80
May 11 - Trail Work Day on the SNETT in Uxbridge MA between Rt. 98 and Rt. 146. Cutting and clearing back. Total of 28 hours for this day. Project value $454.36
May 19 - Trail Work Day on the SNETT in Uxbridge MA between Rt. 98 and Rt. 146. Cutting and clearing back. Total of 57 hours and 5 minutes for this project. $731.98
June 9 - Wompatuck State Park Work Day in Hingham MA Four BSTRA members contributed 16 hours to the NEMBA trail work day. $169.60
June 30 - Callahan State Park Trail Work Day in Framingham MA Cutting and brushing back the south side of the park. A total of 50 hours. $530.00
July 14 - Trail Work Day on the SNETT in Uxbridge MA between Rt. 98 and Rt. 146. Cutting and clearing back. Total of 19 hours for this days work. $286.00
August 17 - Stream Bank Stabilization Project George Washington Management Area in RI. Actual stream crossing was in CT. Several agencies to deal with. BSTRA member donated time to draw up engineering plans and overseeing this project. Work day consisted of 33 hours to get project completed. Project value $14,156.04 Our actual cost was $473.54.
August 26 - Paid $15,000 to Echo Bridge for the Rt. 146A bridge design plan. Reimbursed from approved Recreational Trails grant program.
Sept. 7th & 8th - Trail Sign Hanging at Callahan State Park in Framingham MA. Total of 41.5 hours on this project. $439.90
Nov. 23 & 30th Trail work days in Middleboro Town Forest by Southeast Herd Chapter members. 24 hours for Nov. 23rd and 20 hours for Nov. 30th. Total of 44 hours for $466.40
Dec. 3rd Paid $25,000 to Echo Bridge for the Rt. 146A bridge design plan. Reimbursed from approved Recreational Trails grant program.
Total: This gives us $17,875.88 for on the ground trail work and $40,000.00 towards bridge design plan giving us a total of $57,875.88 put towards trails in 2002.
January 2001 - Donated $3,000.00 to the Lake Manchaug Greenway & Wildlife Corridor to help with the purchase of 450 acres to be added to this corridor.
March 2001 - Donated $1,000.00 towards the fund raising efforts to secure 40 acres in the middle of Willowdale State Forest, Ipswich, MA. The fund raising was successful, the 40 acres are now officially part of the Willowdale State Forest.
April 14, 2001 - West Hill Dam Trail Work Day Cleaned out all the water bars and the usual winter debris (trees) that had come down. Total of 18 hours for this work day. Value of $190.80.
April 19 & 21, 2001 - George Washington Management Area in Pascoag, RI. Clearing an area to be used for horse trailer parking. Total of 33.5 hours put in. Value of $355.10.
April 28, 2001 - Upton State Forest Trail Work Day We replaced the rotted decking on the bridge on Bridge Trail, brushed back Bridge Trail from the bridge back to the main trail. Brushed back and cleared Hawk Trail. A total of 33 volunteer hours was put in for this day. Value of $349.80.
June 24, 2001 - Callahan State Park This involved cutting brush back from some of the trails that were getting overgrown. A total of 45 hours was put in. Value of $477.00
October 2001 - Received Notification that our grant application submitted under the Recreation Trails Programfor $64,000 was approved. The grant was for a bridge design plan on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) over Route 146A in Uxbridge. Will be receiving the money in the year 2002.
October 2001 - Central Mass Chapter donated $200 to the Stow Conservation Commission to be used for signs at the Stow Town Forest.
Total: This gives us $1,572.70 for on the ground trail work and $4,000.00 in donations, giving us a total of $5,572.70 put towards trails in 2001.
BSTRA received a grant from the Department of Environmental Management's Greenways and Trails Demonstration Grant in the amount of $5,000. This was used for cutting and brushing back on portions of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail in Uxbridge and Douglas MA.
BSTRA members working on the management plan for the Daniel's Farm in Blackstone MA to work on trails for horseback riding and possibly a trailer parking/staging area.
April 8, 2000 - Work Day at Upton State Forest. BSTRA and New England Mountain Bike (NEMBA) members worked on brushing back and clearing winter blow downs on the trail system. A total of 52 hours were put in by all workers.
BSTRA makes $2,000 donation towards purchase price of 8.5 acres. The Carlisle Conservation Foundation was doing a fund raiser in order to get this property added to the Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, MA. This acquisition provided an important trail link from Pine Point Loop to and across Lowell Rd. to access the rest of the park. These trails are open to equestrians and the property has been purchased and protected with our help.
May 20, 2000 - Trail Work Day on the SNETT in Douglas MA. We worked on cutting and brushing back the trail for a total of 48 hours volunteered for this job.
June 2000 - BSTRA and NEMBA members worked on clearing trails in Milford/Holliston area. This area was hit by a fire and a few trees were down blocking trails. It took them 7.5 hours to get the trees cleaned up.
June 25, 2000 - Work Day at Callahan State Park, Framingham, MA. This work day involved cutting and brushing back trails. A total of 21 hours were put in on that day.
Aug. 2000 - BSTRA voted to donate $100 towards the purchase of 15 acres to be added to the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area in Northampton MA. This property has been purchased and horseback riding is allowed in the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area.
Aug. 12, 2000 - Trail Work Day at West Hill Dam, Uxbridge MA. We worked on installing 8 water bars and one rolling dip. Our work crew put in 24 hours of work.
Oct. 2000 - Work Day at Upton State Forest, Upton MA. Due to some nasty weather this summer, quite a few trees were down. Work crew spent day cleaning up these trees for a total of 25 hours put in.
Total: There were 177.5 hours volunteered for trail work ($1775) plus donations and grants gives us a total of $8875 that was put towards trails in 2000.
March 6, 1999 - Army National Guard spends weekend working on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) in Douglas MA.
April 24, 1999 - Work Day at West Hill Dam in Uxbridge MA. We cleaned out water bars, cleaned up downed trees and did some height trimming to accommodate horses. A total of 28 hours was put in on this day.
May 23, 1999 - Work Day at Upton State Forest in Upton MA BSTRA teamed up with New England Mountain Bike Assoc. (NEMBA) to put in a new section of Grouse Trail. This particular section had become badly eroded as it went straight down a steep hill. This section was rerouted and designed to reduce the erosion. That meant switchbacks and following the side contours of the hill. The job was successfully completed with 57.75 hours of volunteer labor put in.
June 12, 1999 - Work Day on SNETT in Douglas MA. We spent the morning cutting back brush on the section between Franklin St. and Yew Street. Again we had members from NEMBA working with us. We put in 36 hours on this hot and dusty day.
Total: 1999 was a fairly light year in actual trails work accomplished. We had no real big projects to tackle. A total of 121.75 hours was put in on the three work days, which is still worth about $1,156.63 at $9.50 per hour. Still not too bad.
April 25, 1998 - West Hill Dam, Uxbridge MA. This work day consisted of trail clearing and water bar installation. 29 hours were put in on this days work. Value $266.80.
May 15, 1998 - Upton State Forest, Upton MA. We spent the day constructing two new bridges and installing them. 25.5 hours of volunteer labor were contributed to this project. Value $234.60.
Summer 1998 - Grant received from DEMшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬĢшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈ᬨƬѬшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬ݈s Greenways and Trails Demonstration Grant in the amount of $2,952.00 paid for the purchase of 30 yellow diamond signs that said Trail Crossing with a picture of a horse and rider beneath, 30 yellow 18шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬĢшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈ᬨƬѬшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒƬܒшǒ݈ X 24шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬĢшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈ᬨƬѬшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒƬܒшǒ݈ signs that said Southern New England Trunkline Trail and 30 ten foot posts to attach the signs to. The Douglas Highway Department, Uxbridge Highway Department and John Pelczarskiшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬĢшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈ᬨƬѬшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬ݈s crew from DEM installed all the signs for a total value of $210.00.
Sept 12 & 13, 1998 - Southern New England Trunkline Trail (Uxbridge & Douglas MA). Members of many different Central Massachusetts Rotary Clubs came together for two days to do cutting and brushing back. We completed 1.5 miles of cutting and brushing back with 225.2 hours of volunteer labor contributed to this project. Value $2,071.84.
Oct. 24 & 25, 1998 - Southern New England Trunkline Trail (Uxbridge & Douglas MA). Donated heavy equipment and operators (excavator, road grader, bulldozer, vibratory roller and 2 tractors) by members of many different Central Massachusetts Rotary Clubs. They stumped, regraded, and rolled 1.5 miles of the SNETT between West Street and Monroe Street. Plus other members did some brushing and cutting back between Monroe Street and Martin Street and one member did some light touch up with a tractor between West Street and Chockalog Street. All this volunteer time and equipment was worth $5,780.00.
This was another good year on getting trail work accomplished. For value of work done by volunteers we will use DEMшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬĢшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈ᬨƬѬшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬ݈s standard labor rate of $9.20 per hour. Volunteer labor was worth $2,573.24 (279.7 hours total), grant received in the amount of $2,952 with matching labor to install the signs of $210, and donated heavy equipment and operators of two days that had a worth of $5,780.00 gives us a grand total of $11,515.24 that was spent on trails this year. That is pretty darn impressive.
Big project at Upton State Forest. With a grant we received from the National Recreational Trails Fund Act that paid for boundary surveying, we added 4.6 miles of new trails to the existing trail system. BSTRA held 4 work days, that coupled with DEM work hours that were spent on this trail project gave us a total of 439 hours and 25 minutes with a value of $4,366.14. We used this to match the $3,430 from the grant. We succeeded admirably by putting in $936.14 above and beyond the match requirement. All totaled with the cash and labor, this project had a total value of $9,366.14.
Work day on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail in Uxbridge. Brushing and cutting back trail. Total of 48.5 hours.
Work day at West Hill Dam in Uxbridge. Cleaning up severe winter storm damage. Total of 67 hours.
Peppercorn Hill trails in Upton MA cut back and cleaned up. Also bridge installed. Total of 50 hours.
Bought $400 of pressure treated lumber for bridges needed on the trails at the William Wharton Plantation owned by the New England Forestry Foundation in Groton MA.
Work day at Douglas State Forest on the "Boulder Trail". We needed to cut back this trail to get equipment in to rehabilitate this 1 mile section of trail. This work day had a total of 50.5 hours. Also donated to this project by Roger Schmidt was one dayшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǒ݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬĢшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒшђݒшݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈ᬨƬѬшǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈ђݒ݈шǒ݈݈݈шݒǒ݈шݒǒшݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шǒ݈шђݒшǒ݈ђݒ݈݈шݒǬ݈s work with an excavator worth $800. BSTRA received a grant from the National Recreation Trails Fund Act in the amount of $6,500 (BSTRA matched this amount and then some in cash from a massive fund raiser this spring) to rehabilitate this trail for all users and also to provide emergency access for medical if ever needed and fire. Work has started with an excavator to remove boulders, and 1500 yards of gravel are being brought in and spread with a bulldozer.
All total there was 655 hours and 25 minutes worth $6,094.14 (Upton S.F. hours at $4,366.14 and 216 hours at $8@ = $1,728) put into trails on these various projects and a total of $13,452 put into these trail projects received from grants and BSTRA monies in 1997. The Boulder Trail project payments ended up being split between 1997 and 1998. We have $8,052 in 1997 and $5,828 will be paid out in 1998. And then the $800 donated equipment time. With everything combined, donated equipment, volunteer labor, grant money and cash NET WORTH OF 1997 PROJECTS IS $20,346.14!!! This is definitely our biggest year for trail projects, you all can be proud of our record and for being a part of BSTRA.
April 6, 1996 - Work day at Upton State Forest. Installed signage for entire trail system with some trimming to have a clear line of sight to the signs. A total of 60.5 hours was spent to accomplish this project.
April 20, 1996 - Work day on the SNETT, Douglas MA. Brushing and cutting back .5 mile. Total hours put in was 49.75.
May 4, 1996 - Work day on the SNETT Uxbridge MA. This work day included 14 Uxbridge High School students. This was part of their Student Council's community projects. The students learned first hand what it takes to get a trail back into shape after basically 15 years of no maintenance. Brushed back to original with .3 of a mile. Total of 64 hours was put in on this work day.
May 12, 1996 - Work day at West Hill Dam, Uxbridge MA. This involved installation of a water bar and clearing up winter's debris from the entire trail system. 16 hours were volunteered this day.
Oct. 19, 1996 - Work day on Ridge Trail at Douglas State Forest. Volunteers cut back 1.5 miles of this trail and the whole trail (2.9 miles) was regraded. A total of 70.5 hours for this work day.
Nov. 2, 1996 - Work day at William Wharton Plantation (New England Forestry Foundation) in Groton, MA. Phase I of putting in a trail system. The trail was flagged out and that day we opened the entire section of Phase I. Involved were 35 multi-use trails workers. Approximately 140 hours were put in by all volunteers.
Fall 1996 - Grant received from DEM's Greenways and Trails Grants Program in the amount of $2,513 was approved for restoration of the Around the Mountain loop trail at Mt. Grace State Forest, Warwick, MA. The grant funded the professional management work of Bill Stevens of EWT Land Management. Time was spent finding parts of the old grown in trail to reconnect for the loop and stay with in the State Forest boundaries. The trail was flagged then work started on opening up the trail. At one point a bridge was also installed. Volunteers from our group (horseback riders), snowmobilers, mountain bikers and boy scouts performed the bridge building and trail clearing. A total of 220.5 hours was put in on this project from Sept. to Nov.
Total: BSTRA had a good year on trail projects. With all of the project hours totaled that we were involved in, we had a grand total of 621.25 hours that people invested in volunteer trail work. That's pretty impressive! I want to thank everyone that made an effort to come out and put something back into our trails. THANK YOU !!!! Given the hourly rate of $8 per hour and all this work was worth at least $4,970.00
Feb. 1995 - Gate installed at West Hill Dam to allow passage of horses, mountain bikers and hikers across the top of the dam. Installation of this gate allowed a complete loop in the trail system without having to go through the river below the dam. BSTRA, West Hill Dam and the fence installer had a think tank session in Nov. 1994 to come up with a design to allow safe passage of afore mentioned trail users while keeping out motorized vehicles which are not allowed in the park.
April 8, 1995 - Work day at Upton State Forest, Upton MA. We had a total of 12 people working that day. The main objective that day was getting a bridge installed over the stream crossing on Bridge Trail. There was a bridge over the stream once upon a time, but all that was left was a couple of stringers. We installed 6x6 pressure treated stringers with 2 inch oak decking. We also brushed back the trail from the bridge to the main trail. A total of 53.5 hours was put in on this project.
April 22, 1995 - Work day on the SNETT, Douglas MA. This work day involved both non-motorized and motorized trail users. We had 27 people working on the trail that day, we had 4 chainsaws, 2 brushcutters and 1 chipper running for the day. We cut and brushed back .8 of a mile and we had .4 of a mile of that brush chipped up. DEM came back later and finished the chipping of the brush. A total of 116.5 hours was put in that day on this project.
May 6, 1995 - Work day at West Hill Dam, Uxbridge MA. This work day involved another bridge replacement. BSTRA donated a load of stone and wood planking for this project. We had 9 people working to complete the bridge project and a complete walk through of the trail system to take care of any winter damage. A total of 35.25 hours was put in on this work day.
July 1995 - Money from DEM's Greenways and Trails Grants ($3,000) and BSTRA ($670) used to grade a 1.9 mile section of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail in Uxbridge, MA between West St. and Chockalog St.
Sept. 1995 - Money raised by BSTRA on National Trails Day in 1994 ($750) was used to pay for 11.5 hours of backhoe work on a spur trail off of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail in Douglas MA. This .5 mile section of trail always had standing water. The backhoe reopened the drainage ditches to get rid of the water and restored safe footing on the trail.
Oct. 1995 - Gate installed at the West St. crossing of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail Uxbridge, MA. Two BSTRA members, one running a backhoe and two DEM personnel. We removed the stumps and granite blocks that were blocking the trail. The gate now ensures access by emergency vehicles if needed, while keeping out vehicles and preventing illegal dumping.