snow Dec 27

This spring/summer/fall I did my usual infrequent visits to Nicks Woods, mostly on holidays, clearing small amounts of trash, mostly from near the hydrant. Conditions haven't changed much from my last reports. Today I ski-ed there, protected by slopes and trees from strong winds. The stream was not frozen enough to ski across, so I ski-ed across our former aluminum gate I found lieing across the stream at the new trail north of the water line. Farther along, that trail is obstructed by brush that I could easily remove when the snow melts. I'll be leading ski trips from Smith Lane for anyone at 9 a.m. on Jan 1, 8, 17, and 22.

Where are the legal walking entrances to Bovenzi Conservation Area, besides Maravista? Many other streets abut it. Most cities, if not Worcester, have through trails (not just loops) in their parks, even if legal parking areas are lacking.

winter to spring 2010

This winter I offered ski trips in Nicks Woods on January 2, 9, 18, 30, and skied there on those dates and Dec 20, Feb 14, 20, 27, and hiked on March 19 (with volunteer coordinator Mary Caulway) and March 20. Trash and other abuse appeared to be very light. After snowmelt and the heavy rains of March 13 - 15, erosion on many areas of the trails seemed worse than usual, but unrelated to negligible motorized vehicle use, and streams were clear with no obvious siltation. The ATV trails west of Richard Nietsche's house were covered with leaves, preventing erosion. The concrete blocks from the previous year's maple sugaring area were thrown around. We hauled broken bottles from the party fire area near the hydrant. Mary and I recommend a trash can and labeled recycling container there. The stone causeway at the water line trail was barely passable without getting wet feet. The City does not appear to have made any effort to clear the large trees that fell in the December 2008 ice storm on their water line trail. Should we help or call them, or do we prefer to keep that trail blocked to vehicles unless the City needs access? The only other fallen tree I couldn't remove from a trail by myself the previous winter is on the diagonal trail from the water line to the breached dam.