The Point Road Bike and Walking path still needs work, according to the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission.
The committee met on December 4 at the Police Station conference room and agreed that work needs to be done on the path, which will tie in with the larger South Coast Bike Path, an endeavor that seeks to create a continuous walking and bike path from the Greater Fall River area to Wareham.
The gravel surface Point Road bike path was approved in 2019 and opened this year, relying on some donated gravel materials for use.
OSAC members have been talking with members of the public and concluded that the gravel stones are too large, making it hard to push a baby carriage along the surface, as well as walking in general for those with mobility issues.
Resident Sean Walsh, also a Conservation Commission member, said that a Joann Drive resident said that it is a difficult walk for those with mobility issues. OSAC member Tom Friedman said his dog will not walk along the stone and often will try to drag the leash into the wooded area. Walsh said most gravel walkways of this kind use smaller pea stones. He noted that the larger stones create gaps and make travel more difficult for pedestrians and cyclists.
OSAC member Normal Hills, also a Select Board member, said that he observed some people veering off to the road versus walking the hard path. OSAC Chairman John Rockwell said he does not know what the solution should be – fill the voids or try to compact the stones. He recommended that OSAC members contact engineers for a solution.
Hills, who is an engineer, spoke of a larger problem – open space and recreation projects not being completed with the initial design in mind. He said officials should do better work at specifying exactly what needs to be done for some of these projects so issues will not arise at a later time.
The OSAC discussed maintenance issues of other town open spaces. Rockwell said he has been in contact with the Department of Public Works, which often will help maintain some of the grass and brush around these properties but the DPW’s time is often limited, especially during the winter season, when sanding and snow removal are more of a priority.
Rockwell said a meeting has been proposed with the DPW, Select Board, Conservation Commission, and the OSAC to develop a plan and a line item for this type of work.
Citing another conversation with the DPW, Rockwell said that there are materials around a dike at Grassi Bog, which will require more than in-house maintenance.
That area around the dike should receive attention from a professional vendor and money for such work should come from Community Preservation Act funds.
OSAC is scheduled to meet again next month, on January 8.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission
By Jeffrey D. Wagner