Local News
Trail network expands in West Newbury
WEST NEWBURY — The concerted efforts of a few dedicated individuals, town officials and local organizations are expanding the trails in town and making them more accessible for residents to enjoy. The latest improvements are on town-owned land leading to Riverbend and at Indian Hill.
The Essex County Trail Association cleared and widened the Link Trail to Riverbend in September. This trail starts on the left side of Route 113 when traveling east. The entrance is next to a plank fence and just after the sign to Mill Pond. The newly cleared trail links to a steep trail from the water tower at Page School that in turn continues right down to the bank of the Merrimack River. The association funded the work at the request of the West Newbury Riding and Driving Club after storms made the trail impassable earlier in the summer. An improved entrance was cut and the trail re-routed away from the school's septic system. "This makes Riverbend more accessible from Main Street," said Crane Neck resident Don Bourquard, who planned the changes with DPW Director Gary Bill.
"The Riding and Driving Club supports our trails through volunteer labor and financial contributions," said Amy Bresky, outgoing president. The club has built, maintained and mowed the jumping trails and rings in the Pipestave/Mill Pond area ever since the property was purchased by the town in the 1970s. "Our members also clear overgrowth from trails throughout the growing season" she said. "I know at least one who rides with pruning clippers attached to the saddle! Also, members or their spouses who can wield a chain saw are sometimes pressed into dealing with fallen trees that seem to get in the way after every big storm."
On the financial side, the club raises money from events held at Pipestave Hill and makes annual donations to a dozen related local organizations that include West Newbury Strays in Need and Essex County Greenbelt Association. "Since the ECTA has twice worked on trails and holds some trail easements here, we gave our largest contribution, $1,100, to them this year," said Bresky.
At Indian Hill, trails leading through the property from Indian Hill Street and around the Indian Hill Reservoir have been made more accessible with the addition of a small parking area constructed by the town, and in the final stages of completion. Essex County Greenbelt Association, which owns and manages the newly conserved reservation, is now in the process of upgrading and marking these public trails.
From a wider perspective, the town's Open Space Committee is also working on future trail network links. "Our recent survey shows that people put high value on the rural character of the town," said Jennifer Germain, chairman of the committee. "Over 80 percent of respondents indicated that trails were important for them. So it's clear that we should do everything we can to expand and improve the trail system."
"Working with the Planning Board and the ECTA, our trails subcommittee has been diligent in obtaining easements for trails whenever a piece of land comes up for development. Negotiation of the trail easement at Ocean Meadow is a recent example. This trail, when built, will continue to allow hikers, horses, skiers and cyclists across the property. In the long run this work will lead to a trail network that will last for future generations," said Germain.
For now, the OSC has distributed over 300 copies of "Take a Walk in Our Town." This is a guide, compiled by Trails Chairman Don Bourquard, that identifies 10 places to walk in West Newbury, with accompanying maps. It is available at the Town Office Building, the G.A.R. Library and on the OSC Web site.
"One of our immediate goals is to create better signage,"¬ said Bourquard. "There's not much point in all our efforts unless people can find and navigate the trails. Local Scouts and others have assisted with this in the past, and volunteers are always needed to help with our trails."
At Riverbend another small but pretty trail loop leads up a mossy knoll just east of the wooden bridge on the River Road Trail. The quarter-mile Tupelo Trail offers a short walk that avoids much hill climbing. It was cleared in the last couple of weeks to reveal a charming view of the winding Indian River. The work on this trail was completed single-handedly by a non-riding volunteer who cut brush, cleared fallen limbs and removed riverside debris — a contribution of about eight hours' labor to the trail network.
The local organizations involved with trails seek more support through increased membership, volunteer help and donations. Information is available at their Web sites: HYPERLINK "http://www.ectaonline.org/" \o "http://www.ectaonline.org/" ectaonline.org; (Trail Association), ecga.org (Greenbelt), HYPERLINK "http://www.wnrdc.com/" \o "http://www.wnrdc.com/" wnrdc.com (Riding and Diving Club), and westnewburyopenspace.net.
— Submitted by Felicity Beech
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Waves, rescues surge
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Tuesday set a notable record: Lifeguards conducted at least 18 rescues, about half of all the rescues they have conducted this summer. Lifeguard supervisor George Nigro said a combination of warm water, hot temperatures, high surf and a high volume of swimmers led to the busy day. -
MEMA: Earl's impacts still unclear
NEWBURYPORT — As Hurricane Earl spun toward North Carolina's Outer Banks, local officials were preparing for the worst yesterday, though forecasters continued to expect the storm to veer to the northeast sometime today.
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Chief: Flaggers 'not a good arrangement'
AMESBURY — As the state embarks on a long-awaited widening of Amesbury's Route 110 roadway, local police are expressing some disappointment that the Massachusetts Highway Department is choosing to use flagmen instead of the town's police force to handle increased traffic during construction.
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Councilors balk at $10K for charter consultant
NEWBURYPORT — The City Council hesitated this week when faced with a request from the Charter Commission for $10,000 to hire a consultant to assist in the charter review process, saying they needed more specific information about what the money will go toward.
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City wins $625K to fight youth substance abuse
NEWBURYPORT — The city has received a five-year federal grant totaling $625,000, which will ensure that the Beacon Coalition program will continue to flourish and grow.
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The Beacon Coalition was awarded a $125,000 annual Drug Free Communities Support Program grant for five years from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. - Heard Around Town
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Waves, rescues surge
