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Our Mission
Fells visitors enjoy scenery and tranquility while hiking, walking, birding, and observing or studying natural and cultural features of the Fells. Others also take photographs, picnic, jog, cross-country ski, snowshoe and sled.
Helping to preserve the Fells for these visitors is the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, an organization whose mission is to enhance the natural and historic resources of the Fells and educate the public about this precious forest.
Helping to preserve the Fells for these visitors is the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, an organization whose mission is to enhance the natural and historic resources of the Fells and educate the public about this precious forest.
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About Me
- Chairman, Friends of Fells
- Stoneham, MA, United States
- Andrew Celentano
11 comments:
Last week I picked up about 100 bottles and cans from Pinnacle Rock and another 150+ bottles and cans from the MIT Observatory site. Both are on the popular Rock Circuit Trail.
When the winds are out of the west north/west, October is a good time to see hawks migrating south from Pinnacle Rock. It is also a great place to see fall colors from above the trees.
The interesting thing about the Observatory site (it looks like a low wall in the shape of a 15-ft. square room)is that, unlike earlier this summer, none of the bottles and cans were right at the Observatory wall and there was no new signs of fire building or wall destruction either. The "wall" is all that remains of a MIT Geology Department observatory that was built in 1899.
With permission from the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Friends of the Middlesex Fells volunteers recently repainted the door to Wright's Tower. It had been defaced recently by graffiti for the second time this year.
The Friends of the Middlesex Fells and the DCR will respond as quickly as we can to "problems and violations" but the Middlesex Fells is a big park with close to 100 miles of trails and dirt roads. We need help from the public to let us know when "problems and violations" exist.
Thanks,
Michael Arnott
volunteer coordinator
Friends of the Middlesex Fells
friends@fells.org
781/662-2340
This Friday I hiked the eastern portion of the Rock Circuit trail from Pinnacle Rock to White Rock. When I got to Melrose Rock there were hundreds of beer cans on the east slope. I bring a backpack with me and pick up cans and bottles, but this was more than I could carry out. If anyone would be willing to help me I'd go back with trash bags and pick it all up.
Walter
On Saturday April 4th I went with my son to sheepfold to fly a kite.
My son was severely traumatized at 18 months at Belle Island Reservation by an unleashed 90lb Rottweiler that was supposedly was "very friendly and never did that before" Dog ran him down and jumped on him like he was prey.
He is now 5 and I thought by now DRC would enforce its own regulations.
As we were entering Sheepfold, i noticed signs indicating dogs must be leased so I thought it would be OK.
Immediately a large dog ran up to my son who is now frightened and crying.
I pick him up and ask woman to restrain her dog ,please.
She calls to husband who pretends that he is deaf.
They get in there car and leave.
Next I notice 20 to 30 unleashed dogs running freely around.
Several times I had to explain to to people while holding my now screaming son, that "NO" my son has no desire to pet your dog and please restrain your animal who is obviously ignoring yours pleas to behave, sit down or whatever you are asking it to do. It was ironic and sad that as I left carrying my son, to be barked at by 4-5 dogs while their pathetic , irresponsible owners stood back 20 yards away screaming "Down Fido, come here Fido"
The only comparison I can make is is what would these dog people think if a gang of eight year old kids jumped on their 4 year old kid and I stood back and said "they are only trying to be friendly, can't you see, punching your kid is how they play"
The reality is that it is illegal and laws should be enforced.
If dog people care enough to actively try to change the law, that is fine, but blatantly ignoring the law and as I read on one of the dog owners groups calling the Friends of the Fells facists indicates their ignorance and irrationality about this issue.
Myself, I love dogs and grew up rural, where dogs were part of the farm community and served a function.
Howerver I am starting to develop a real intolerance for the behavior of these people, the same way I feel about people DUIng on the highways.
The most recent official survey, conducted more than a decade ago, determined there were 4.7 million dog bite victims annually in the USA. A more recent study showed that 1,000 Americans per day are treated in emergency rooms as a result of dog bites. In 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most of the victims who receive medical attention are children, half of whom are bitten in the face. Dog bite losses exceed $1 billion per year, with over $300million paid by homeowners insurance.
The above are facts. Most of these dogs were "friendly and never did that before"
Who dug the 1 foot wide by 6-10 inch deep trenches every 15 feet or so on the green trail? Some hiker, runner, or horse is going to break an ankle in these! This is vandalism!
Chris,
The Friends of the Middlesex Fells will find out the story behind the trenches. The only green-blazed trail in the Fells is the 7+ mile long Mountain Bike Loop, most of which is fire road. Can you be more specific where on the trail the trenches are?
Thanks for the report!
Chris T, in addition to where on the green-blazed Mountain Bike Loop are the trenches, are the trenches across the trail or along the side of the trail? Are they on a dirt road section of the trail or a narrow people and bikes only section of the trail?
On the trail behind Ronaele Rd and Winford Way the 'beaver' has made a new large dam that cuts off any access from Winthrop St into the Fells. Im sure you guys were aware of this. Just saw it and thought I would post.
I hiked all of the Rock Circuit Trail this morning. I noticed that it is very difficult to see trail markings in the around fire gate 51. On both sides of fells in that area the painted blazes on both the rocks and trees are very difficult to follow.
I started at Jerry Jingle road and went in a counter clockwise direction. When I crossed over Fellsway East, almost immediately lost track of the trail. I ended up walking on a dried out river bed. After 1/8 or so I ended back on the trail but I had not idea I was not on the trail. I followed the trail back to the road. I turned around and there was no way to know which was the trail went.
I hope sometime soon someone will have a chance to visit this portion of the Rock Circuit trail and repaint trees and rocks.
Anybody else notice that comments keep disappearing? There are numerous problems in the Fells that the Friends choose to ignore, like the gay cruisers in the sheepfold ara that would be alleviated if the Dark Hollow Pond area trails were made sustainable and attractive to more users.
Deleting these comments won't make the problems in the Fells go away.
Be part of the solution:
http://www.gbnemba.org/fells-action/fells-action-info.html
I think it's a sign that they know the emperor has no clothes.
FoF: if you can't be part of the solution you're part of the problem.
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