The Sudbury Rail Trails Advisory Committee convened on November 6, 2024, to discuss the development of wayfinding signs for the Mass Central Rail Trail. The meeting focused on identifying key destinations along the trail and ensuring that signage effectively guides users without cluttering the corridor.

Committee members reviewed existing wayfinding signs from the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, which currently direct users to three main locations: Davis Field parking, Town Center, and Morse Road parking. The discussion emphasized the importance of navigating users to destinations that are accessible and safe, as many areas off the rail trail lack adequate sidewalks and bike lanes.

One proposed addition to the wayfinding plan is to include distances to the Assabet River Rail Trail, which is approximately four miles away. The committee expressed the need to avoid directing users to areas that are currently dead ends, particularly east of the project. Instead, they considered highlighting destinations such as the Wayland town line and Route 20 crossing to provide clear guidance.

The conversation also touched on potential destinations to the west, including Hot Brook Marsh and the Assabet National Wildlife Refuge. The committee noted the significance of these natural areas and discussed the possibility of including interpretive plaques to enhance user experience without favoring one location over another.

Overall, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to creating an effective wayfinding system that enhances the usability of the Mass Central Rail Trail while promoting local conservation areas. The next steps will involve finalizing the wayfinding plan and determining the best approach to communicate these destinations to trail users.