Common Ground Tough to Find in Middlesex Fells

From hikers to bikers to birders to dog enthusiasts, most everyone who uses the Middlesex Fells has an opinion about how it should—or shouldn't—be managed.

They all had a chance to air their views Monday night, when the state Department of Conservation and Recreation held it's first public hearing on the resource management plan for the Fells.

The plan aims to outline management goals and recommendations for the reservation, evaluate existing conditions and create land stewardship zoning. It is expected to be completed by this summer.

"Hopefully, we come to a meeting of the minds on a property that many people love and cherish," said Andy Backman, DCR's director of regional planning, who spoke before the public input portion of last night's meeting.

But, based on the many opinions shared Monday, such common assent may be a difficult task.

Among those who spoke Monday were dog-owners who wanted dogs to be allowed on trails off-leash, bikers who didn't want dogs off-leash on trails, hikers who didn't want bikers on certain trails, and at least one person who didn't want dogs allowed in the Fells at all.

There were others who didn't want the DCR to over-regulate use in the popular recreation area that spans more than 2,500 acres across Medford, Malden, Melrose, Stoneham and Winchester.

Winchester resident Roger Wilson warned the many activists in the crowd against trying to use the DCR to settle their differences.

"Everybody is basically on the same page here," Wilson said, "and by asking the DCR to settle these fights, we’re asking for trouble."

But the DCR appears to be making rule enforcement a priority. The draft trail system plan, which was released in early January, described a "culture of non-compliance" in the Fells. DCR Commissioner Jack Murray called for rule changes and better enforcement of other rules.

“Many of the people who visit the Fells do not follow at least one rule there,” said Paul Jahnige, DCR's director of greenways.

Wide Range of Opinions Shared

More than a dozen Fells users spoke during the public input session of the meeting.

Donning his bike helmet, Dave Rajczewski of Medford took the podium to say he bristled at the trails that didn’t allow bikes and complained that dog feces were becoming a problem on single-track trails during cross-country ski season.

“It’s horrific,” he said.

Fritz Bosch said his Medford home is right beside the Fells, and the biggest issue in his eyes is littering and unpermitted fires. He said both seem to be a constant problem brought on by teens using the Fells improperly.

Mike Ryan, executive director of Friends of the Fells, said professional dog-walkers who overrun the area with off-leash dogs were a concern the DCR should look closely at enforcing against.

"I don’t think anybody likes to see a van pull up with a bunch of dogs … left off their leashes running through the Fells," he said.

The dog-walking community gets very little consideration from the DCR, and the community is left out when it comes to nearly all the Fells, said dog-walking activist Joel Feingold.

"There are 120 miles of trails, and none of them are available for off-leash dog-walking," Feingold said.

Michael Fager, a birder and naturalist, said the Fells should be given the same rules as California State Parks, and dogs should be banned.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to have dogs there,” Fager said.

Tim Post, a mountain bike enthusiast, said he was enraged by how long the planning process for the Fells had taken. He has been involved in these discussions for about 20 years, he said.

 He encouraged the DCR to strive toward its July 2011 deadline for the management plan.

“Lets move forward, lets make this happen and lets get this behind us,” he said.

Last night's meeting was the first in a series before the DCR releases the Fells management plan in July. For a complete and up-to-date list of up-coming meetings, visit the DCR's website.