Accessible Trail at the Senior Center & Edmund Hill Woods
The Northborough Trails Committee has constructed an accessible trail located at the Edmund Hill Conservation Area and the Northborough Senior Center with the goal to make the trail ADA accessible. Our Trails Committee member, Forest Lyford, has been leading hikes for the Senior Center for many years. He recognized and brought forth to the NTC the great need for trails that were more easily accessible to individuals with various mobility impairments. The Town is in need of a trail for less mobile seniors, families with small children and any individual with a physical impairment. Currently, the only ADA accessible area in Northborough is the Town Common, soon to be followed by the redesigned Assabet Park. But there is currently no ADA accessible woodland trail in Northborough.
Edmund Hill Conservation Area was begun in 1962 with a donation from Edwin Proctor to the Northborough Conservation Commission to “preserve (the area) for the enjoyment of the residents of Northborough.” The Trails Committee maintains the amazing trail system in pristine condition. It is enjoyed by residents of Northborough and the surrounding towns daily. The Northborough Senior Center is located at the northern entrance of the conservation area and provides parking for those seeking access to the trails.
One of the goals of this project is to connect and provide greater access to the senior population at the Senior Center. A local landscape architect, Michael Easler of Weston Sampson, created a preliminary layout based on Forest’s design to assist NTC with the application for funding. That plan is shown above. While seeking funding, NTC has sought permission and support of the Conservation Commission (owners of the land), and has moved forward on the construction of the trail. NTC volunteers, staff and local service groups have worked to trim limbs, cut back growth and smooth the walking surface by removing small boulders and roots. It is currently open and providing a more accessible trail to those looking for an easier way to access the forested areas of Edmund Hill. The NTC has submitted an application to the Community Preservation Committee for the final design of the trail to be brought to ADA standards. Once design is complete, the environmental permitting shall be completed by staff and additional funding for construction shall be sought from all available sources. The goal is to have the trail completed to ADA standards by 2025.