Maps showing the trails currently open to bikes, the proposed expansion, and the compromise presented on June 1 (the area outlined in yellow would not be open to bikes). Click to enlarge.

After months of debate and hundreds of comments and opinions shared by residents, the Conservation Commission unanimously approved new trail use regulations last week, meaning more trails — about 24% of the total or roughly double what’s currently allowed — will be open to bikes.

The new set of regulations (available in both abbreviated and detailed formats) are almost identical to the amended set proposed by the ConCom in June. The only differences: 

• Some trails that are actually in Concord (though on land managed by Lincoln) will stay closed to bikes until Concord officials approve.
• When approaching other trail users, dog owners must leash their dog or hold it by the collar, vs. the last iteration which required only “voice control” of the dog

(The rules linked to above do not reflect these two updates.)

Another new requirement that was the topic of much discussion is that dogs must be leashed on the entirety of Flint’s Pond conservation area to protect the town’s water supply. In addition, groups of five or more bikers must get a permit in advance to bike the trails together.

After getting public pushback in the spring, the commission cut back on the number of trails on Mt. Misery that it had proposed opening to bikes, but the approved regulations still opens substantially more trails in the popular conservation area than were permitted before. This change has been the subject of voluminous and heartfelt debate in LincolnTalk emails and several ConCom public hearings each attended by dozens of residents on Zoom.

“There are very strong opinions, pro and con” about bikes, horses and dogs on Lincoln’s trails,” and “I know we’re not going to make all of your happy tonight,” ConCom chair Susan Hall Mygatt said at the start of the July 13 meeting where the panel finally approved the changes. The approval was made final when the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s gave its parallel OK on July 15.

Conservation Department staff will make quarterly assessments of trail conditions and gather user feedback over the next year and report to the ConCom, which can make further changes at any time.

“If we see something dramatic happen, we’re not going to wait a year” to seek more adjustments to the rules, Conservation Director Michelle Grzenda said. Staff work year-round to monitor and maintain the trails, and they can close tails with signs and yellow caution tape when necessary, she noted.

Temporarily withheld from the array of trails newly open to bikes are those in the Adams Woods area straddling the Lincoln/Concord town line just west of the railroad tracks. An 87-acre parcel was transferred in the 1980s from Lincoln to Concord as conservation land, but Lincoln retained sole land management responsibility. Nonetheless, Concord conservation officials want a chance to weigh in.

Several residents who’ve been involved in offering feedback to the ConCom were not pleased with the outcome last week. 

“By opening up half the trails at Mt. Misery to biking officially, I think you’re going to get groups of people on bikes without a permit,” Barbara Peskin said. “The [parking] lot is already maxed out… I just think this is such a wrong thing to do, especially at Mt. Misery.” 

“I think you’re pushing boundaries. The strength and number of pushback [comments] you’re getting on this should be a signal to all of us that the town needs a lot more conversation about this issue of changing policies, and it needs to take place in a variety of arenas,” said Diana Beaudoin. Among her suggestions: studying policies in neighboring towns and allowing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory committee to “broaden its work” on road safety before changing trail regulations.

Conservation Department staff will put up new signs over the summer, and town rangers will also be on hand to explain and enforce the rules. The department recently hired full-time Land Steward/Ranger William Leona, who will work some weekend hours, and he and Land Manager Ryan Brown will install the signs and help trail visitors understand trail expectations and rules.

“Although William and Ryan will be monitoring all of Lincoln’s conservation lands, specific emphasis and greater ranger presence will be focused on Flint’s Pond and Mt. Misery,” Grzenda said. In addition, the LLCT has funded a part-time seasonal ranger for the first time.

“I am excited that we are now going to be able to articulate our expectations of how we can enjoy these trails together,” Mygatt said after the vote. “And I am confident that we will be very satisfied by how this works out — not perfectly satisfied, but very satisfied.”