According to Peabody's Open Space Plan, Spring Pond Reservoir has restricted use:
- Spring Pond is a wildlife reserve (hunting is prohibited).
- Public access is allowed.
- Passive recreation associated with the trail systems are for low impact activities: which means walking, hiking, jogging, snowshoeing, birdwatching, and picnicking on a carry-in, carry-out basis. Some area residents fish here.
- Off-road vehicles are prohibited. The area is environmentally sensitive and needs to avoid erosion.
The 'No Trespassing'/ 'No All Terrain Vehicles' signage by the entry to Spring Pond Road, are for vehicles.
ohh boy.. i feel a friends of springs pond coming to a woods near you.... just what the woods needs.. hippies taking it over with their mountain bikes only attitude.. painting and flagging the trees for their races... its fun to watch the commies take over all of our natural resources
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of 'Friends' groups is to raise funds to preserve sites.
ReplyDeleteI do not like painted trails myself. There is a better system which doesn't disrupt nature, and can include sculptural elements of nature.
These trails have been known and used by bicyclists in the past, but not lately. It has been mostly hikers and bird watchers. Some of the trails were made difficult to ride through.
One great thing about the area, is historically this place used to be an arboretum for visitors. Richard Sullivan Fay, who sprouted the forest we have today, believed in letting nature be, and allowing the trees to grow naturally (without trim and cuts). This is how the site should remain - raw and natural.
It is a great place to watch and hear birds.
Recreation here is very passive.
I will say that if they took over the area and actually brought in some trails for people to walk, ride bikes, and even snowmobile, cross country ski and dirt/four wheel trails you'd have lots more ppl on board. The area is missing trails for sleds and four wheeling dirt biking..of course mark them as such
ReplyDeleteoffroading trails would be terrible for the wildlife. some of the trails are deer paths.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there can be trails for sleds and skies by the power lines only?
ReplyDeleteThe trees do not grow here because the city prevents growth here.
Proctors Brook flows into Spring Pond. There are trails near or over this. Vehicles would cause severe damage, not only for the reasons of erosion, but pollution related and harm on fragile shrubbery.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if kayaking is permitted on the pond?
ReplyDelete