DCR released this announcement on January 12th, 2012 on the approval of the Fells RMP (click here for a PDF of the original email):

January 12, 2012

DCR Stewardship Council Approves Middlesex Fells Reservation Resource Management Plan (RMP)

On January 6, 2012, the DCR Stewardship Council unanimously approved the Middlesex Fells Planning Unit RMP after careful consideration and deliberation. With this approval, the RMP (available at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/rmp/rmp-midfells.htm) becomes the official adopted management document for the Middlesex Fells Reservation.  Recognizing that plans are living documents and that adaptive management is an important goal, the Stewardship Council also asked the DCR to monitor its progress in implementing the plan and report back in one year.

The DCR would like to thank all those who participated in this extensive and deliberative planning process over the past two years. Management of this important state property is challenged by a host of complex and sometimes controversial issues, but we also know that users and stakeholders care deeply about the future of the DCR Middlesex Fells Reservation, and we look forward to working with partners, stakeholders, users and volunteers to protect, promote and enhance the natural, cultural and recreational resources at this special place.

What You Can Expect

With the adoption of the Middlesex Fells RMP, users should be prepared for some changes at the reservation.  We ask for your help and patience as we begin to implement this management plan.

User Etiquette: The DCR Middlesex Fells is a popular urban reservation with a variety of uses and users.  The DCR asks all users to practice the following etiquette.

• Respect other users, expect other users.
• Be friendly and courteous.
• Share the trails. Ride, walk or run on the right, pass on the left.
• Stay on the official trails. Going off trail or on user-created trails creates erosion, damages habitat and causes new trails which can't be maintained.
• Bicyclists yield to equestrians, runners and hikers.
• All users yield to equestrians.  When a horse approaches, move off the trail and ask the rider for instructions.
• Always ride within your ability, under control and at a safe speed.
• Avoid unpaved trails when they are muddy or wet.
• Warn people when you are planning to pass. Bells or horns may frighten horses.
• Anticipate other trail users around corners and blind spots.
• Respect wildlife.
• Leave no trace. Pack out your litter.
• Dogs should be kept on leashes and under control on all trails.
• Pick up and properly dispose of all dog waste.
• Respect private and posted property.

Enforcement: The DCR will be continuing its outreach and educational efforts to ensure that users understand and are aware of all the rules at the reservation.  DCR will also be devoting additional resources toward increasing enforcement of these rules and regulations.  Users are expected to follow the rules, and those who don’t may be subject to fines, expulsion or other citations.  These rules and regulations include:

• The DCR Middlesex Reservation is open dawn to dusk only.
• Dogs must be on leash at all times in the reservation, outside of the designated area at the Sheepfold.  Dogs at the Sheepfold must be under voice control of their owner.
• No more than three dogs per-person in the reservation.
• All dog waste must be properly picked up and disposed of.
• All off-trail uses, including nature study and geo-caching, are prohibited without a permit.
• No Trespassing means no trespassing! Do not hike, walk or ride on trails or roads posted as no public access by the Town of Winchester.
• Mountain biking is allowed only on designated trails, and not in Virginia Woods or the Long Pond areas.
• Mountain biking is prohibited on unpaved trails from March 1 to March 31 or as posted.
• Fire, camping, swimming, and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the Fells.
• Users must obey all posted signs.

Trail Closures: In order to protect natural and cultural resources and enhance the user experience at the DCR Middlesex Fells, DCR will be closing many redundant, illegal, user-created and poor-condition trails.  Some users may have a personal attachment to some of these trails, but we ask all who care about the Middlesex Fells to help us by respecting trail closures.

Please stay only on official, marked trails.

Trail Map and Signage: DCR will be working over the next several months to improve trail signage and develop a new public trail map.  A draft trail system map is available on-line at our DCR Middlesex Fells Reservation web page. A revised map and hard copy versions will be available soon on-line and at various locations at the Fells.

For Additional Information: please visit the DCR Middlesex Fells Reservation web page at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/fells.htm.

Links and Resources
Information on the Middlesex Fells RMP is at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/rmp/rmp-midfells.htm.

Please forward to others who might be interested in the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

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This Middlesex Fells update is an electronic newsletter from the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Resource Management Planning Program, in the Bureau of Planning and Resource Protection

Deval Patrick, Governor
Tim Murray, Lieutenant Governor
Richard K. Sullivan Jr., Secretary, Energy and Environmental Affairs
Edward M. Lambert Jr., Commissioner, Department of Conservation and Recreation



DCR Greenways