1987-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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benches designed to blend into the landscape were con- Other events of note included the production of a video strutted and installed by a committee member. As part of about the MRW by a Committee member and now on loan the trail system, steps in proximity to the North Parking at the Town Library; and the construction of two osprey Lot were built by the Lot construction. Finally, a wooden nesting platforms on the Mashpee River. The osprey pro- pedestrian bridge was constructed by the DPW across a ject was proposed by Stuart Parsons, Director of Educa- swamp-like and bird-filled area beside Quinaquisset Aven- tion, Thornton Burgess Society, and after approval by the ue, as part of the plan for a connector trail to Farley's Conservation Commission was carried out by Mr. Parsons Camp, by agreement with The Trustees of Reservations. and his youth teams, with the participation of Committee Work was completed in August,and approved by the state members. Mr. Parsons has also acted as volunteer consul- in an on-site inspection in December. tant on wildlife issues. A major focus of spring and summer work was the im- Last, but far from least, the Committee was asked to provement of the more important existing trails and the work for the acquisition of the remaining 21.+ acres of making of connector trails to enable visitors to enter the land on the west side of the river,marking the completion Woodlands immediately, without using vehicular roads. of the Mashpee River Woodlands. During the last half of A winding trail following a natural course through the trees 1987, this effort, involving raising substantial private funds was made from the South Parking Lot on Mashpee Neck and application for state assistance, has been the primary Road to the cart track known as Whitcomb's Landing task of the Committee. At year's end, progress had been Road. Short connectors were made at the North Parking made, but the goal of complete funding without recourse Lot. The long trail along the river required extensive work to the town had not yet been reached. In working for this to make it easy of passage after the lush growth of spring, acquisition, the Committee has been involved with The with care taken to preserve its natural features. Following Mashpee Land Trust, Inc., The Nature Conservancy,and completion of scheduled trail work,two Woodlands Bays the owner of the parcel, Mr. Earle Marsters. were held in August and October, to further introduce the area to townspeople and public officials, including In planning for 1988, the Committee began work on a Representative Thomas Cahir. David Ryan,Shellfish Con- brochure,to be ready for distribution in the spring.A high stable, and Town Planner Fudala assisted in these events. Priority for 1988 is a beginning on inventories of birds and other wildlife and vegetation, on which no work has been Beginning in February 1987,the Committee has had an done since the mid-1970's. We are fortunate in having the ongoing relationship with The Trustees of Reservations, interest of professional naturalists, and we welcome the originating in a meeting with Thomas Foster, Superinten- participation of knowledgeable amateurs as well.Trails will dent for southeast TOR properties.The mutual goal of the always be a management concern, and an Adopt-a-Trail Committee and the TOR, arrived at in various contacts, program is planned for trail maintenance. The connector including on-site meetings, is a cooperative trail system trail to Farley's Camp on the west bank will be completed. covering both sides of the river,and meeting at the shared Introductory and educational walks for interested groups boundary. There was also an initial meeting with the TOR will continue to be offered from time to time. and Richard Norton of Fisheries and Wildlife for the iden- The Committee was the pleased and surprised recipient tification and discussion of mutual interests. This produc- of a Thornton Burgess Society annual award for its work tive meeting was the start of what we believe will be a ben- in 1987. The pride in the award is, however, reserved for eficial relationship for all concerned with the river. The the people of Mashpee, who had the foresight to acquire Committee has also been in contact with neighborhood as- the Woodlands, as a place to be enjoyed, conserved and sociations and abutters to the Woodlands, to keep them protected. abreast of any Committee activity that might affect them, and enlist interest in preserving the integrity of Woodlands Respectfully submitted, borders. Conservation signs are being installed along the north boundary on the unpaved portion of Simon's Nar- Joanne Ferragamo, Chairperson rows Road to identify the border. Phyllis Paskauskas, Clerk There has also been an on-site visit and consultation with William McKay, Jr. Joan A. Tavares the Historical Commission regarding the north boundary, David W. Niven Richard L. Terry and discussion of historically significant names for possi- E. Stuart Peoples Earl H. Mills, Jr., (Resigned) ble future use. Shirley Peters Judy Mills, (Resigned) While our interest is in the Woodlands, it cannot be di- vorced from a concern with the quality of the Mashpee cc. Conservation Commission, Mr. Fudala, Mr. Virgilio, River. Related to that concern,the Committee has worked Mr. Parsons, Mr. Ryan, Historical Commission with the Planning Board and the developers of Windchime to insure the integrity of the area. A commitment to the well-being of the river will continue, with appropriate par- ticipation by the Committee in any measures to preserve and improve its health, including involvement in river studies. - 118 -