Rail Trail Light Maintenance Program Being Rejuvenated

The Chelmsford Trail Light Maintenance Program is in the process of being rejuvenated. The maintenance sections have been revised and are based on street intersections and accessible points along the trail rather than the previous 0.25 mile segments, as these segments were often isolated and difficult to locate. As a result, most sections will be about 0.2 to 0.4 miles in length with a few slightly longer, though all sections are still a practical distance for volunteers to cover. This approach also reduces the number of volunteers needed for this activity.

If you have previously volunteered on the Chelmsford Maintenance Crew and we have your email or phone information, please contact Bob Schneider at trail@setdata.com or by phone at 978-256-1588 to express interest in volunteering to cover a section either between the Rte. 3 terminus and Chelmsford Center or between Chelmsford Center and the Westford Town line. New volunteers are welcome. The BPAC will also be assembling a list of other tasks that can be addressed by volunteers. More information will be provided soon.

Trail Sections and Approximate Distance in miles (with current known volunteers):

Rte. 3 Terminus to Chelmsford Center

• Rte. 3 Tunnel to Glen Avenue - 0.2 miles, 0 volunteers
• Glen Avenue to Manahan Street - 0.25 miles, 0 volunteers
• Manahan Street to Golden Cove Road - 0.43 miles, 0 volunteers
• Golden Cove Road to Chelmsford Street/Ball Field - 0.36 miles, 0 volunteers
• Fletcher Street to Chelmsford Center for the Arts/Central Square - 0.28 miles, 0 volunteers

Chelmsford Center to the Westford Town Line

• Cushing Place - Station Master Sculpture - At Walk Area to the Woods, 0.13 miles, 0 volunteers
• Cushing Place Entrance to Wood to Mile Marker - 0.65 miles, 0 volunteers
• Mile Marker 4 to High Street - 0.53 miles, 0 volunteers
• High Street to Mile Marker 5 - 0.34 miles, 0 volunteers
• Mile Marker 5 to Mile Marker 5.6 (Red Wing Farm Connector Trail) - 0.6 miles, 1 volunteer
• Mile Marker 5.6 (Red Wing Farm Connector Trail) to Pond Street - 0.37 miles, 1 volunteer
• Pond Street to Westview Avenue - 0.45 miles, 0 volunteers
• Westview Avenue to Evans Way - 0.24 miles, 0 volunteers
• Evans Way to Greenwood Road/Westford Line - 0.18 miles, 0 volunteers

Activities in this program will be limited to trash pickup, hand pruning of weeds, woody vines and small tree branches as well as reporting other concerns to the maintenance coordinator so that the appropriate Town Department and personnel may be notified. Volunteers will provided with more detailed instructions on the light maintenance tasks to be performed as well as precautions for working safely on an active trail, weed and trash disposal and safe access to your section.