Boggy Meadow Trail DesignBoggy Meadow Trail 1
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Title: Boggy Meadow Accessible Trail
Project Summary: CPA Funding is sought to create bid-ready designs for a
universally accessible all-persons trail from the Cooke Avenue entrance to the Broad
Brook Greenway to the scenic beaver pond, about 1/3 of a mile. The trail,
historically known as Boggy Meadow Road, also serves as vehicular access to the
Fitzgerald Lake dam for maintenance and repairs, as well as for emergency access to
the area. The road is in need of repairs to allow for continued access, and this
design will incorporate both an everyday trail design for many types of non-
motorized users, and for periodic heavy machinery.
Estimated start and completion date: 2024
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
Open Space � Historic Preservation
� Community Housing Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Carolyn Misch
Property Owner (if applicable): Northampton Conservation Commission
Organization (if applicable): Northampton Conservation Commission and Office of
Planning and Sustainability
Mailing Address: City Hall, 210 Main Street, Second Floor
Daytime phone #: 413-587-1265 Fax #: 413-587-1264
E-mail address: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
III: Budget Summary
Total budget for project: $22,000 (design phase)
CPA funding request: $18,000
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 81%
Applicant’s Signature:
Date Submitted: September 13, 2023_______________________
Boggy Meadow Trail 2
Parcel Information
Beaver Brook Greenway
Narrative
The application proposes an accessible, soft-surface, unpaved trail approximately 1/3 of
a mile in length. It will extend from the Greenway entrance on Cooke Avenue, to a
scenic beaver pond that is in itself a destination for walkers, wildlife viewers, and
birders. A trail already exists in this area, but does not meet accessibility standards.
Accessibility grades are likely exceeded in several locations, the ground surface is
uneven, with rocks, roots, and potholes present. The application proposes completion
of a full design for the trail that will also allow for periodic vehicle access for dam
inspection and repairs, and for emergency purposes. As Northampton’s open space and
multi-use trail offerings have expanded, we have heard a clear message that there is a
real need for unpaved, accessible nature trails in forested settings. The City has an
extensive paved multi-use trail network, but these transportation linkages do not meet
the need for trails in a more serene setting that provides all the benefits of immersion in
nature. The City’s greenways include steep trails and rock-strewn pathways, full of
adventure and opportunities to feel miles away from other people within one’s
hometown. These too, are only available to more sure-footed visitors, and exclude
those with many types of mobility impairments. This trail will work existing topography
and site conditions to fill our need gap for soft-surface nature trails.
The trail known as Boggy Meadow Road is a critical access point to the Broad Brook
Greenway for non-motorized trail users of all types, as well as the only access to the
Fitzgerald Lake Dam for inspection and maintenance. It also serves as the emergency
access point for first responders to the southern and eastern sections of this highly
visited open space resource. The trail will require repairs and maintenance in the near
future to maintain its limited vehicular access. As part of the planning for this work, we
want to create a design for an accessible, soft-surface, non-motorized trail that will also
allow for periodic heavy machinery access. CPA funding is sought for a full,
construction-ready design of a trail to a dramatic beaver pond. The design will allow
other grant funding sources to be accessed.
This access is one of two primary entrances to the main Fitzgerald Lake/Broad Brook
Greenway. At over 1,000 acres, with a lake, dam, wildlife viewing platform, and a
multitude of trails, the Greenway is Northampton’s most visited conservation area
resource. The parking area at the terminus of Cooke Avenue was recently acquired by
the City, and plans are in development to create a formal parking area with an ADA
space. An improved trail will complement that work. The Boggy Meadow trail does,
and will further, connect the Greenway and the additional recreational resources it
contains, to population centers, shopping areas, and the regional multi-use trail
network. The nearest multi-use trail is easily and safely accessible from the project
site, ¾ of a mile south to Jackson Street. The Northampton-New Haven Trail can be
Boggy Meadow Trail 3
accessed from that point, and the electric-assisted Valley Bike network also includes a
station at Jackson Street. A major shopping center is located less than 1/3 of a mile
from the Greenway and trail entrance, and several major residential developments are
located nearby.
The project meets several Community Preservation general criteria:
General Criteria:
The Boggy Meadow Trail meets several of the CPC general evaluation criteria:
Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of
the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents. Northampton’s open
spaces and trails are often cited as one of the major contributions to the City’s sense of
place. The Broad Brook Greenway is a recreational gem that receives many visitors.
Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive
plan, Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan or is consistent with other city-
wide planning efforts that have received broad-based scrutiny and input and can
demonstrate wide community support.
Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments
Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of
the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents
The project also meets many of the criteria for both Open Space and Recreation
Open Space and Recreation Criteria:
Supports passive and recreational opportunities by providing information about areas
and encouraging further exploration
Serves many residents and visitors
Is accessible to all ages and abilities
Enhances appreciation of existing conservation areas
Contributes to public health by encouraging walking and hiking
Maximizes utility of city owned land
Promotes a creative use of connecting corridors
3) What community need(s) does this project serve? If the project serves multiple
needs and populations, please describe them. If the project serves a population that is
currently underserved, please describe.
The project will promote use of conservation areas and trails by all residents and
visitors. By continuing work to connect population centers with multi-use paths and
wooded trails of varying types and difficulties, there will be opportunities for everyone,
including environmental justice populations, elderly and school-aged residents, and
Boggy Meadow Trail 4
people with disabilities. The budget and overall plan will include outreach and input by
all types of users.
4) What specific guarantees will assure the long-term preservation of the project?
Aside from periodic maintenance the roadway has not been upgraded or redone during
the entirety of City ownership. The plans will create a path that should not require
significant ongoing maintenance, and will improve user experience.
5) What community support does the project have? Explain the nature and level of the
support.
The project is supported by the Conservation Commission and the Office of Planning
and Sustainability.
6) How will the success of this project be measured?
Success of the project will be measured by creation of an accessible trail network that
connects the beaver pond to the parking area at Cooke Avenue.
7) Is ongoing maintenance and upkeep required? If yes, please explain how this will
be accomplished.
Any ongoing maintenance to the trail will be led by the Office of Planning and
Sustainability staff and conducted by a combination of staff and volunteers.
Community Need/Protections/Project Feasibility and Success
The project will make progress towards filling a need for accessible conservation area
trails in Northampton. While the City does have more universal access trails than most
communities our size in a variety of settings because of our paved shared use paths, we
have fewer natural looking and feeling trails.
Project Budget:
Item CPA Match
Full Design
Assess current conditions and ID locations that may
require more than regrading & surfacing
Prepare construction documents
Bidding
Construction administration
$15,000 $1,000
Boggy Meadow Trail 5
Permitting $3,000 $1,000
Engagement and Outreach $2,000
TOTAL: $22,000 $18,000 $4,000
ATTACHMENTS:
Trail Photos
Additional Support Letters to Follow as Received
Waypoint 1. Photo 1, Entrance, Exposed and degraded asphalt visible in center of
trail.
Waypoint 2, Photo 2, Larger asphalt chunks, various sized degraded asphalt
throughout trail until trail intersection near beaver dam.
No Waypoint, Photo 3, Leaning gate post, gate will no longer fit in the locked
position.
Waypoint 3, Photo 4, Slope down to parking lot.
Waypoint 4, Photo 5, Grade flat view north. Rutting minimal.
Waypoint 4, Photo 6, Trail surface. Compacted with gravel. Turns to 2” rock, to
north, for sections.
Waypoint 5, Photo 7, Large >1’ pediodic, chunks of asphalt, grade begins to rise
~4%
Waypoint 6, Photo 8, Large rocks in trail, slope mellows.
Waypoint 7, Photo 9, Trail bisects vernal pools. Low wet area of trail.
Waypoint 8, Photo 10, Pine Brook and Pines Edge Trail intersection. With slope
down to Beaver Meadow.
Waypoint 9, Photo 11, Slope up from Beaver Pond, view south, 9ft of exposed
boulder at crest.
Waypoint 9, Photo 12, 9 ft of exposed boulder at crest.
Waypoint 10, Photo 13, Compacted flat trail through the Beaver Pond, Even
tread, no rutting.
Waypoint 11, Photo 14, Water encroaching on trail. Damp section of trail, area
periodically floods.
Waypoint 12, Photo 15, Edge of beaver pond, beginning of >6% slope
Waypoint 13, Photo 16, Slope grade >~6%?
Waypoint 14, Photo 17, View downslope towards Beaver Pond.
Waypoint 14, Photo 18, View north, Path grade relatively flat again.
E
1525+/- feet