Welcome to the FellsDOG webpage!

 FellsDOG

The Middlesex Fells Dog Owner Group

Keep the Fells Clean and Green!

Be sure to pick up after your dog every time,

and respect the rights of all park users!

Report on the February 8, 2010

DCR Fells Trail Planning Workshop

 

THANK YOU to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which held a Middlesex Fells Trail Planning Workshop on February 8, 2010 at the McGlynn School in Medford.  The meeting was very well attended, and DCR staff did a great job of allowing all those present to contribute to the process.  Members of the Greater Boston chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) made up the largest group at the meeting, but dog owners and members of the Friends of the Fells were also well represented.

 

To start, Paul Jahnige of DCR reported findings on existing conditions in the Fells.  The report is available on the internet at:

 

Some interesting facts which we note in the DCR report:

1) Trail conditions in the Fells range from 68% good to 2% poor, compared to the average in Massachusetts parks of 45% good and 9% poor (see page 14). (Note: Perhaps those who claim that Fells trails are being hurt by bikes and dogs are off base?)
2) The single largest chunk of users in a survey conducted at three locations in the Fells in October and November 2009 was dog walkers—31%.  The next closest: Walker/Hiker 28% and Mt. Biker 16% (see page 18). 

(Note: If they had conducted the survey in December through February, dog walkers would likely have been an even higher percentage.)

3) Of Fells survey responses received to date by the DCR (which were reported at the meeting to total 206), there is strong support for establishing off-leash trails for dog owners, and even stronger support for establishing an off-leash dog area (see page 20).

 

Next, the attendees broke into small workgroups to identify issues regarding access to and use of the Fells, and then discuss possible improvements and solutions to conflict.  With each workgroup comprised of users with varying priorities, the discussions were lively and cooperative.  Then a representative of each workgroup reported their findings to the entire room, and most did an excellent job of trying to convey the different sentiments expressed in their groups.  The most common theme expressed was finding a way for all of the different user groups to GET ALONG.  Most expressed the desire for improvement to the bike trails.  Most groups also noted an expression of interest in establishing off-leash recreation for dog owners, but some also noted a desire to reduce the chances of dogs interfering with other activities.  Several groups noted one or two participants whose main concern was protecting the environment, and who advocated reducing or prohibiting mountain biking.  Most groups expressed concern about the illicit activity that takes place along certain trails and parking areas.

 

To close the meeting, DCR explained the next steps, which are described in detail on page 24 of the report.  Once DCR develops draft recommendations, they will hold another public meeting around April of this year, and will then announce their final plan on the DCR website around May 2010.

 

One last important point—Paul Jahnige explained that the DCR will pull in reports on environmental information from its sister agencies in order to fully assess the environmental impact of any proposed measures, before formulating a final plan.  It is clear that DCR intends to consider the needs of the various user groups in a manner that protects this natural resource for generations to come!

 

If you have yet to submit your comments on the Fells, please see the questions below and send your comments to the DCR as soon as possible! 

Middlesex Fells Trail System Plan
Public / Trail User Input

We are inviting members of the public and users of the Middlesex Fells trail system to provide input into the trail system planning process. 

We invite each interested individual to submit an email or letter describing their comments, experiences, goals and concerns at this stage in the process.  We will also invite additional comment on the draft plan, once developed.

To help guide you in your thinking, we have included the set of questions below, but please do not feel constrained by these questions. 

Thank you for your input!

Public / Trail User Guiding Questions

• How you (and your family) use the trails at the Middlesex Fells?  (i.e. what parts of the Fells; how often; what kinds uses; what times of day, week and year; etc.)
• What would you describe as some of the highlights of the Fells trail system? (i.e. what scenic, natural or cultural resources and destinations are important to you?)
• What would you describe as some of the problems with the trail system at the Fells that affect your trail experience there?
• Can you describe the “recreational experience(s)” that you find most enjoyable at the Fells?  (This might include the level of difficulty, interaction with other users, length of the use, type of use, etc.  Feel free to write about your best Fells experience.)
• If you could make three changes in the Fells trail system, what would they be?
• What other comments would you like us to consider as we develop our trail system plan for the Middlesex Fells?

Please mail or e-mail your input to:

Middlesex Fells Trail Plan
136 Damon Rd
Northampton, MA 01060
Paul.jahnige@state.ma.us

Thank you to the Somerville Board of Aldermen, which approved a resolution on December 22, 2009,

supporting off leash dog areas in the new Middlesex Fells Trail Plan. 

 "I and many other responsible dog owners have made the Fells trails a more vibrant area by visiting and supporting this open space recreation area.  Our presence has made the area safer and brought more people into this underutilized park land and trail system." 

 Click here to read the entire letter from Alderman Trane to the DCR. 

 

FellsDOG is a member of MassDOG, the coalition of Massachusetts Dog Owner Groups. The MassDOG website has links to all of the dog owner group websites, and articles about responsible dog ownership and expanding off-leash recreation opportunities.  We encourage you to check out their site, and join the MassDOG mailing list by clicking on the link on the site's front page.

Click on this link to visit MassDOG!

MassDOG website

 

Click here to see photos of the December 8 Clean-Up Day!

 

  

SEE PICTURES OF THE OCTOBER 13 CLEAN-UP DAY

 

   

 

  Pug Day Pictures and Prize Winners

 

 

PICTURES OF THE MAY 2007 SHEEPFOLD CLEAN-UP DAY

 

The Middlesex Fells Dog Owner Group was developed to promote responsible use of the Sheepfold and the entire Middlesex Fells Reservation by dog owners and their families.  Our goal is to keep the Fells a welcoming place for everyone, while protecting this wonderful natural resource.