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.