2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Open Space Accessibility, Trails, Bike Paths, Town Connectivity - Thursday May 18

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Open Space Accessibility, Trails, Bike Paths, Town Connectivity - Thursday May 18

The Conservation Commission will hold its Seventh Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) focus group meeting this Thursday, May 18 from 6-7p in Town Hall Council Chambers. 

This meeting will also be available via Zoom. Zoom login information can be found here. 

In case you'll miss the Thursday meeting or would like further discussion, you are also invited to attend OSRP Office Hours Friday, May 19 between 10 and 11am in the third floor training room (Room 326A) at Town Hall or via Zoom. 

Bring your ideas and see you there! 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/2023-osrp-focus-group-meeting-open-space-accessibility-trails-bike-paths-town

2023 OSRP Focus Group Meeting - Open Space Accessibility, Trails, Bike Paths, Town Connectivity - Thursday May 18

WALKING CITY TRAIL: a 25-mile hike through Boston's parks and urban woodlands

"Today's (06/16/22) the day, folks. I'd like you to meet the WALKING CITY TRAIL: a 25-mile hike through Boston's parks and urban woodlands. The trail is divided into four sections that are accessible by public transit. Here's where the trail will take you.... "

Follow the trail through Boston in the Twitter thread here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jwq6IvTpxv-MF5c0yh3OF0VbCU37PAp5/view?usp=sharing

Visit the website ->  https://www.bostontrails.org/

 #walkingcitytrail

WALKING CITY TRAIL: a 25-mile hike through Boston's parks and urban woodlands

Town of Franklin, MA: A resource of available trails and paths for our community

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Mon, Mar 22, 2021:

"Hello Franklin! It's gorgeous out there today!  Perhaps you can find a bit of time to go for a walk!  Our Trails & Walking Paths Storymap is a great resource to find places to go in Town.

Enjoy the day!" https://t.co/vofhNYMjEO

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1374019648707002369

A resource of available trails and paths for our community

MassDCR: How to do social distancing in parks, trails, and paths

"Be smart! Be Considerate! Practice good #socialdistancing by staying 6 feet from others in parks, on trails and on paved paths!

Parks are open for all to enjoy but please be conscious of others and help everyone stay safe during the spread of #covid19. "

Additional info on how to visit the MA parks  https://bit.ly/3ad6Kn4

How to do social distancing in parks, trails, and paths

Shared from the MassDCR twitter account
https://twitter.com/MassDCR/status/1258094174991155200?s=09

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News Update

Franklin Earth Day (50th Anniversary)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/earth_day_flyer_final.pdf

Site Map
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/2020_earth_day.pdf

Playgrounds

All Town and Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice.

On April 21, the Recreation Advisory Board and Director of Recreation will discuss the spring sports season through a virtual meeting. An official decision should be announced on April 27th with the assistance of all youth sports presidents.

Hello Franklin! We have created a Trails and Walking Paths site to serve as a resource to our community. During these unprecedented times, it is important to get outside and de-stress, while practicing social distancing! We hope you find it useful. Be well! https://bit.ly/3bDgozC

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups

Challenges and Contests

The Franklin Recreation Department is hosting the following challenges and contests to ALL residents during this stay at home quarantine. PRIZES will be awarded to the top winners and all winning videos and/or photographs will be posted on our website and social media.

https://sites.google.com/view/recdeptcovid-19contests/home?authuser=1

**REMEMBER these contests are to be done following the guidelines of social distancing. They are not to be done with a group of friends.**

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News Update

In the News: "Towns shutter playgrounds, recreation areas"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

“It’s one of the hardest things I have had to do yet,” Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said last week regarding the closure of the town’s recreational areas, “especially for someone like me who is an avid outdoorsman, and loves sports and being outside.

“It’s toughest on the kids and families who all want to be outside utilizing our playgrounds and school grounds,” he wrote via email.

In Franklin, closures have included not only playgrounds and school grounds, but also Chilson Beach at Beaver Pond and the Beaver Pond field. The state forest land, though, is still open at this time, as is the Southern New England Trunkline Trail that passes on into Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge, Douglas and beyond.

“As for town forests, we have kept those open and have actually set up a new site with a challenge and used trails and walks as a way to help give people something to do and look forward to doing with the whole family,” Hellen noted."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200412/towns-shutter-playgrounds-recreation-areas


Related post on outdoor trails in Franklin
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/enter-town-of-franklin-trails-walking.html

Interview with Rec Director Ryan Jette
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-239-recreation-dept-director-ryan.html

This section of the SNETT trail you can get to from the Lake St parking area

Enter the Town of Franklin Trails & Walking Paths Drawing

"It's going to be a beautiful weekend! Find some time to get outside (safely, of course!) & check some Franklin Trails & Walking Paths off your list! 

We are holding a drawing to win a free rain barrel! Find the details & a link to our new trails website here https://bit.ly/tof9draw"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1248956706400370688?s=09

This section of the SNETT trail you can get to from the Lake St parking area

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News

Recreation COVID-19 News

All Town and Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice. 

Trails are still open, click here to learn more
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/431c30cda1e24123b5fe9795b5bae17c

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups.

For Recreation activities with arts and sports contests visit
https://sites.google.com/view/recdeptcovid-19contests/home?authuser=1

Franklin Residents: Recreation COVID-19 News

Franklin Residents: Trails and Walking Paths to use (at a social distance!) with others

Trails and Walking Paths

We have created a Trails and Walking Paths site to serve as a resource to our community. During these uncertain and unprecedented times, it is still important to get outside, breathe fresh air and de-stress, all while practicing social distancing. 

We hope you find it helpful and use the trails and paths respectfully and responsibly. Be well! https://bit.ly/3bDgozC

along one of the trails in the Franklin Town Forest (off Summer St)

Temporarily Closing Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries and Trails

It brings us great sadness to inform you that, to support the stay-at-home advisory given by Governor Baker, we will be closing all of Mass Audubon's wildlife sanctuaries and trails to any visitation as of noon on Tuesday, March 24, until further notice. We know how important it is to get out in nature, and there is nothing we like better than seeing people enjoying our trails. But the health and safety of the residents of Massachusetts and beyond must take priority. Our hope is that these extreme measures will help flatten the curve, so we can soon go back to business as usual. And with the support of people like you, we will come back even stronger. While you can't visit our sanctuaries in person for the time being, you can engage with us online. In fact, we are hard at work creating wonderful experiences that you can watch on Facebook or via our website. We hope that you can still find solace and comfort in nature, just a little closer to home. And be on the lookout for signs of spring—including the calls of Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs, salamanders on the move, emerging Skunk Cabbage, and the return of Eastern Phoebes and other migratory birds. Stay well, Gary Clayton Mass Audubon President 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. View this email in a web browser

Temporarily Closing Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries and Trails

View this email in a browser
http://web.massaudubon.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=81027.0&dlv_id=105518

The Trustees have also closed their trails
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200323/audubon-trustees-of-reservations-close-all-trails-due-to-virus

Eagle Scout Project: Indian Rock trail clearing and kiosk construction

Eagle Scout Project

for

Ian Arnold

Saturday, November 5th

8:30am-2:30pm

Raindate: Sunday, November 6th

Project: Indian Rock trail clearing and kiosk construction

What to Wear: Class B shirt, long pants, troop hat, and work boots

What to Bring: Gloves, water bottle, loppers, clippers, bow saw, weed whacker,
gas powered leaf blowers, shovels, metal rakes, leaf rakes

Directions:

1. Route 140 heading towards Wrentham
2. Left on Chestnut Street
3. Right on Jordan Road
4. Left on Indian Lane
5. Left on King Philip Road
6. Drive to end of cul-de-sac

Lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP to Ian Arnold at: ianmarnoldis@gmail.com

Boy Scout Troop 126, Franklin

New "Healthy Heart Trail" at Franklin State Forest

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Department of Conservation and Recreation has announced a new Healthy Heart Trail at Franklin State Forest. 

This trail is one of more than 70 Healthy Heart Trails that DCR has designated across the commonwealth to promote good health and a connection with nature. Park supervisor Tom Ashton and his staff have marked the 1.2-mile trail that covers several rolling hills. Ashton encourages visitors to access the trail at the entrance adjacent to the Hockomock YMCA, as well as the gate along Grove Street. 

Covering 843 acres in the Forge Hill area, Franklin State Forest is a minimally developed property managed for passive recreation. For maps or information: mass.gov/dcr."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160730/department-of-conservation-announces-new-franklin-state-forest-trail

on a trail in the Franklin Town Forest off Summer St

• You can go directly to the Franklin State Forest page

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-south/f-gilbert-hills-state-forest.html#Franklin SF

• Or check out the Southern New England Trunk Trail (SNETT) off Grove St

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-central/southern-new-england-trunkline-trail.html

In the News: Eagle Scout project, Red Cross blood drives

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Joseph O’Leary, a Life Scout from Boy Scout Troop 126 in Franklin and sophomore at Franklin High School, recently completed his Eagle Scout Project. The project, part of the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout, involved clearing new trails in Franklin’s Indian Rock Conservation Area. 

O’Leary planned the project over the winter and led a crew of 40 volunteers in the woods on May 14. The new trails lead from historic Indian Rock, the site of an attack by settlers on Wampanoag during King Philip’s War, winding through conservation land to meet up with existing trails. They provide a new view of the ledge and the rocky terrain below. Scouts and adults removed brush, cleared leaves and pruned trees and bushes to make the trails."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160624/franklin-resident-completes-eagle-scout-project

"The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood in the weeks surrounding Independence Day to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients now and throughout the summer. 

Blood donations often decline in the summer months, especially around summer holidays when donors are less available to give. The need for blood doesn’t decrease, though — every two seconds, someone in the U.S. requires blood or platelets. In fact, a recent survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors showed that nearly half knew someone who needed blood or they needed blood themselves. 

Blood donation opportunities will take place at the following locations: 

• 2-7 p.m. July 7, Franklin Elks, 1077 Pond St., Franklin
• 1-6:30 p.m., July 8, Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St., Wrentham
• 2-7 p.m. July 11, King Philip Middle School, 18 King St., Norfolk

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160624/red-cross-blood-donation-opportunities-announced

screen grab of Red Cross Blood drives in Franklin area

Franklin Rock Walk - June 18th

Hi Steve,

We've crossed paths at a number of different points along the way, particularly through my involvement with Franklin history and historical commemoration. 

I'm also involved in the New England geology scene and I'm offering a unique program at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18th. We will be exploring the Franklin State Forest, and the geology of Franklin, meeting up in the YMCA parking lot. 

If you could add this event to your calendar or let people know about it on Franklin Matters, that would be tremendous!

Best,

Eamon McCarthy Earls

a trail in the Franklin Town Forest off Summer St (not where the rock walk is scheduled to take place)

Parmenter Bird House (photo essay)

Saturday's walk gave me a great chance to capture some photos of the new bird house  put in at the entrance to the Parmenter Nature Walk.

One weekend in June, I happened upon a group of parents and 5th graders working to clean up the trail and to prepare for the installation of the bird house.

entrance to Parmenter Nature Trail (bird house now in its own circle of stones to the left of the trail)

The bird house was supposed to be installed that Monday but the weather (rain) prevented that, time went by, it did get installed (sometime) and I finally did get to take some photos (on Saturday).

The group posed for a photo after their trail clean up work (thanks to Mary Jo Peterson for sharing)

The group posed for a photo (thanks to Mary Jo Peterson for sharing)

The bird feeder

front view

memorial plaque

one side view

other side view

full size  view

Photos of the Story Walk from October 2010 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157625155278049/

Note: The "Story Walk" is no longer but the trail is what was recently cleaned up

Photos of the Nature Trail from 2008 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157606926154439/

DelCarte Recreation

On my walk Saturday, I went out to DelCarte Recreation to walk some of the trails. There are three marked trails; red green and blue markers. With the leaves down, it can be a challenge to find the trail as the markers are posted on tree at about 8ft high. Most trails I have been walking usually have the trail markers more in normal eyesight 5-6ft off the ground. 

close up showing the key to the trail marking and length

full trail map (with unavoidable glare and shadows)

the new floating bridge was pretty solid in the ice on Saturday

the swans and some ducks found some open water in the distance

The trail map

Then and Now - Parmenter Nature Trail

On my weekly walks, one of the frequent side trips I make is along the Parmenter Nature Trail. I live a block from school and the Nature Trail is easily accessible across the playing fields behind the school.

Parmenter Nature Trail

The woods are lovely in the morning

 The trail is soft pine needles and slopes down quickly but easily

old stone wall

trail platform

split rock by water side

 The stream that runs from Spruce Pond on King St runs down here and then continues on to Mine Brook

side view of the split rock

what goes down, eventually goes back up

ah, daffodils!

bird house on tree behind the Parmenter School building as the trail ends

The Parmenter Nature Trail in August 2008
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157606926154439/

There was a "story walk" along the trail that I captured with photos in October 2010
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157625155278049/


Where is the Parmenter Nature Trail?
The trail is found at the edge of the playing fields and runs through the green section of this map along the water and back up to the school building

Outdoors in Franklin

Looking to get out of the house and do something this week? Take a hike in Franklin.

Noted author Michael Tougias also wrote a "Trailguide: Outdoors in Franklin." The trailguide can be found on the Franklin website.

Author Michael Tougias has written many area guidebooks including River Days: Exploring the Connecticut River from Source to Sea, Exploring the Hidden Charles: A Guide to Outdoor Activities on Boston's Celebrated River, and New England Wild Places: Journey's Through the Back Country, as well as Until I Have No Country: A Novel of King Philip's War in New England and the non-Fiction King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict. 

This guidebook was developed as an initiative of the Franklin Open Space Committee with support from the Department of Community Planning including former director Todd Ford, current Director Daniel Ben Yisrael, Town Ecologist Rich Vacca, and GIS Specialist Nick Alfieri as well as input and support from the Conservation Commission. Special thanks go to the graphic arts class of Mr. Eskay Sriram at Tri-County Regional Vocational School, which provided several excellent candidates for cover illustrations. The illustration selected was created by Corey Gray.

There are descriptions of walks covering the following:

• Franklin Town Forest
• Franklin State Forest
• Charles River
• Indian Rock
• DelCarte Conservation Area
• Beaver Pond
• Charles River
• Dacey Farm
• Uncas Pond and Trout Fishing
• SNETT Trail

As this was written in 2002, the some of the subject areas may have changed. The Dacey Farm has since become more formal open space for Franklin with the development of ball fields and most recently the dog park.

The trailguide can be found here (PDF):

Parmenter School: Story Walk - photos

Dolores and I got to take in the Story Walk on Sunday morning.




Enjoy the Story Walk!


Prior posts about the Nature Trail and Story Walk:
The back story on the Nature Trail at Parmenter was published on Monday
The guide to the Nature Trail was published on Tuesday



Franklin, MA

Parmenter School: Nature Trail Guide

The trail guide for the Nature Trail at the Parmenter Elementary School on Wachusett St in Franklin, MA.

Parmenter Nature Trail Guide 2010

Enjoy!


Franklin, MA