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Pomeroy Terrace Conservation Area Trail Conversion Information.pdf1 Proposed Wheel Chair Accessible Woodland Path Pomeroy Terrace Conservation Area Applicant Cutchins Programs for Children & Families 78 Pomeroy Terrace Northampton, MA 01060 413.584.1310 Contact person: Joe Bender, JBender@cutchins.org Permit Advisor Paul Wetzel 108 Petticoat Hill Rd. Williamsburg, MA 01096 413.585.2646 pwetzel@smith.edu The proposed project is to convert an existing woodland trail into a wheelchair accessible trail. The existing trail is part of a series of woodland trails that provide access to the Pomeroy Terrace Conservation Area. This trail system (~3/4 of a mile long in total) is comprised of narrow woodland walking trails and several simple wooden bridges that traverse drainage ditches. About half of the trail ways are covered with wood chips; the remainder of the system is bare ground. The proposed project is to convert an 800 foot loop of existing trail into a wheelchair accessible trail of stabilized crushed stone that is 4’ wide (see attached map). The following process is proposed for the conversion: 1. Remove existing wood chips, tree roots and mix of soil and chips to a depth of 3” on the route. This material will be moved out of the floodplain onto the grounds of the Cutchins School to be used for landscaping on the school grounds and in the educational garden. 2. Place water permeable landscape fabric along the cleared route. 3. Add small size crushed rock mixed with stone dust as a stabilizer over the landscape fabric to a thickness of 3”. The landscape fabric will also help stabilize the stone and keep it from being absorbed into the ground, thus increasing the life of the trail surface. 2 Photos of existing path proposed to be converted to a wheel chair accessible trail. Trail surface similar to the proposed wheel chair accessible trail in Pomeroy Terrace Conservation area. This trail runs along the top of the flood control dike that forms the southern boundary of the conservation area. 3 Existing Conditions The Pomeroy Terrace Conservation Area is vegetated with a mature, floodplain forest and is located in the Connecticut River floodplain. Sugar maples dominate the forest canopy with individuals of pin oak, white pine, elm and catalpa. The herbaceous understory is reasonably diverse, but completely dominated by non-native and escaped horticultural plants. As described in A Natural History of the Pomeroy Terrace Conservation Area (L. Sanders, December 2014), the understory plants include, “Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, moneywort, privet, goutweed and more winter creeper than any-where else in Northampton. The common native species are, in order of abundance, touch-me-not, sensitive fern, jumpseed, avens, poison ivy, wood nettle, mad-dog skullcap, elderberry, and silky dogwood.” The conservation area is nearly bisected by a drainage ditch about 1.5 feet deep and 15’ wide. This drainage ditch accepts water from the surrounding farm fields and fairgrounds and ends (no surface outlet) in the middle of the conservation area (Saunders, 2014). Water levels in the ditch vary seasonally and water in the ditch eventually evaporates. No spring time amphibian reproductive activity was observed over the last three years. Other small drainage ditches that convey surface runoff exist on the property. None of these ditches drain out of the conservation area. The conservation area contains structural remnants of the former Northampton School for Girls (now the Cutchins School). Remnants include a tennis court, outdoor cooking area, and small stone walls. The conservation area is also used as temporary living space for the homeless. Camp fires, tents, and dwellings have been constructed in the past. Items of habitation such as pans, blankets, clothes, chairs, shoes, and food packaging are often found in the conservation area. An extensive network of walking trails, totaling ~3/4 mile, have been built throughout the conservation area (see attached map). Some of the trails are covered with wood chips, while others are simple woodland paths with no enhancements (see photos). Students and staff of the Cutchins School as well as neighborhood volunteers are responsible for creating and maintaining the trail network. The Cutchins School has used the trail development as an activity for their students. The conservation area is also used as an educational resource for the School and the trails provide access to the various aspects of the conservation area. The trails also provide access for neighborhood recreational use in hopes of discouraging temporary dwellers from living in the conservation area. 4 Expected Impacts from Proposed Project Negative environmental impacts of the proposed trail conversion on hydrology, soil loss, existing vegetation, and wildlife are predicted to be minimal to none. The trail to be resurfaced already exists and will be replaced with a semi-permeable crushed stone material. The proposed trail is either the same width as the existing trail or expected to be only slightly wider than the existing trail. All work will be done with small machines or by hand. Positive benefits of the proposed project include creation of a wheel chair accessible trail in the conservation area. The proposed project also supports the existing trail system and encourages hiking in the conservation area by Cutchins School staff and students as well as neighborhood residents. The trail system will also facilitate outdoor education of students at the Cutchins School. N Pomeroy Terrace Conservation Area Existing trail system Proposed trail to be converted (~800’ long)