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FOREST RIVER CONSERVATION AREA TRAIL ASSESSMENT SALEM CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING NOV 12, 2015 kzla+ ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- Eagle Hill Lichens, red cedar, black cherry, buckthorn, sumac, red and white oak, smilax, princess pine DOMINANT VEGETATION Salt Marsh Dominated by phragmites Overhanging Groves Amelanchier, sumac, bittersweet General Woodland Much pignut hickory, some shagbark, birch, red oak, red maple POTENTIAL ISSUES Spread of smilax (catbrier), buckthorn, bittersweet, burning bush, phragmites ---PAGE BREAK--- Pickman Rd Intervale Rd MBTA C om muter Line Loring Ave H aye s R d SALEM STATE Site Entrance SALEM WOODS EAGLE HILL Bridge 1% Annual Chance of Flooding Cub Scout Bridge Volunteer Bridge Eagle Scout Bridge College Student Bridge 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 • Part of trail outside of Conservation Commission land • Salt marsh trails in floodplain • Five identified entrances to site not counting crossings over railroad tracks ---PAGE BREAK--- SALEM STATE ENTRANCE • No ADA parking • Signage needs repair • Entry trail somewhat messy and overgrown ---PAGE BREAK--- OTHER ENTRANCES At foot of Eagle Hill Hayes Rd Pickman Rd Southern rail crossing Northern rail crossing ---PAGE BREAK--- 0.125 0.25 0.0625 Miles 0 600 1,200 300 Feet 0 Condition Good Fair Poor • 2.5 miles of trail, possibility for accessible route • Seventy percent (70%) of trails are in fair condition. ---PAGE BREAK--- Good Condition Fair Condition Poor Condition • Minimal to No Obstructions • Minimal to No Overgrowth • Minimal to No Erosion • Noticeable surface obstructions such as exposed tree roots and small rocks • Some overgrowth • Some erosion • Large-sized or large quantity of obstructions on walking surface or overhead • Much erosion ---PAGE BREAK--- Utility poles lining path running to Pickman Road Concrete wheel stops near the salt marsh One of several signs advertising fines & vandalized Fire pit at top of Eagle Hill EXISTING SITE FEATURES ---PAGE BREAK--- ODDITIES ---PAGE BREAK--- CUB SCOUT BRIDGE • 16’ long x 4’ wide • 3 longitudinal 4” x 4” stringers • dry rot in deck planks • deck flex • no handrails DOES NOT MEET CODE ---PAGE BREAK--- VOLUNTEER BRIDGE • 210’ long x 5’-10” wide • deck 4-5’ above marsh surface • planks run longitudinally • post and transverse cap supports, timber and grout-filled PVC • deck deterioration • no guard rails DOES NOT MEET CODE ---PAGE BREAK--- EAGLE SCOUT BRIDGE • 22’ long x 5’ wide • 4”x4” and 4”x6” transverse members supported by logs • sturdier construction than previous two bridges • post and transverse cap supports, timber and grout-filled PVC • some deck rot & limited bounciness • no guard rails DOES NOT MEET CODE ---PAGE BREAK--- COLLEGE STUDENT BRIDGE • 20’ long x 5’ wide • railroad rails/wide flange beams span between stone and mortar abutments • good condition overall • no guard rails DOES NOT MEET CODE ---PAGE BREAK--- " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Signage " Proposed " Blank Post " Aluminum Rules Sign " Interp - Historical & Ecological " Interp - Ecological Tall Wood Sign Existing Trails SIGNAGE • 14 signs or sign remnants currently • 10 wayfinding markers (signs or blazes) proposed ---PAGE BREAK--- Pickman Rd Intervale Rd MBTA C om muter Line Loring Ave H aye s R d SALEM STATE Site Entrance SALEM WOODS EAGLE HILL Bridge 1% Annual Chance of Flooding Cub Scout Bridge Volunteer Bridge Eagle Scout Bridge College Student Bridge 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4