Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Hopkinton Trails Club proposing this wooded route around Charlesview now?
Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) and their consultant VHB recently released their proposed route for the Upper Charles Trail (UCT)
While we appreciate the UCTC member’s efforts, the plan shows major concerns for the section along Hayden Rowe Street (in yellow), including:
A half mile of “Trail” along Hayden Rowe Street (Route 85)
Three crossings of Route 85, in an area where a woman pushing a stroller was hit by a car and a child on a bike was hit by a car and killed:
Granite Street
Near Hughes Farm Trail or near 147 Hayden Rowe (depending on what side the trail travels on Hayden Rowe)
At McDermott Path
Plus a crossing of either Chestnut Street at the light or Teresa Road and crossings at multiple driveways
An alternative woods route is a more desirable, sensible and much safer option for Hopkinton
What is the route proposed by the Hopkinton Trails Club?
The proposed alternative route (in blue) extends from Center Trail around the western and southern sides of the Charlesview neighborhood to connect with the Hughes Farm Trail
The route would extend south across Granite Street to existing Echo Trail and south to Rt 85
The trail would run south along Rt 85 for a short distance before going up and over Rt 85 on a future ramp and bridge to a ledge on the east side
What are the issues in trying to build a trail around Charlesview?
First, any trail would need to pass through land owned by three private landowners and purchase or easements would be needed
Second, the land is a mix of wetlands and hills, and these features would need to be addressed
Finally, in conjunction with topography, the trail would need to be constructed in a manner to minimize potential effects on both owners and neighbors
Would trail users park in the Charlesview neighborhood to use the trail?
Not likely. Experience on the Holliston and Milford portions of the Upper Charles Trail shows that most people who come from other areas park in trail head parking lots.
Parking is readily available at the Loop Road and the Hughes Farm Trail on Hayden Rowe, as well as at the Milford trail head on Hayden Rowe
Most users accessing the trail from midpoints would be Charlesview residents
What does the Trail Club recommend for the surface of the trail?
The Trails Club recommends that the trail be a Class 5 stone dust trail like Holliston’s UCT
The UCTC is recommending that the trail be asphalt, similar to the Milford UCT
The cost of a stone dust trail is about a tenth of the cost of asphalt
Further questions please contact Peter LaGoy @ peter_lagoy@msn.com. Please attend the UCTC meeting on Dec 8 at 7 PM at the Senior Center to express concern. If unable to attend, please email concerns and they will be shared with the UCTC and town.