A representative for The Glen outlined a request on Oct. 8 for Community Preservation Act open‑space funds to design universally accessible trails on former golf‑course land held under a permanent recreation easement.

Nate, speaking for the project proponents, said the immediate request is $20,000 "for engineering and design" of accessible trails and a potential small bridge, with a future funding request possible after the design stage. "So right now, there's, there's trails there, but they wanna expand on the trails that exist. And, they need $20,000 for engineering and design on these existing sites," Nate said.

Committee members asked about public access, parking and maintenance. Nate said the site includes a small gravel parking area with roughly eight to 10 spaces and is open to the public; the landowner (The Glen) pays for routine maintenance and has a maintenance fund for the property. The committee discussed whether the project would increase usage and how success would be measured. Nate and committee members said accessible trails would likely broaden use by people who need a firm, traversable surface.

Finance staff provided account context: the open‑space reserve balance cited in committee discussion was about $72,874; other Community Preservation Committee balances mentioned during the meeting included an undesignated fund balance and community‑housing and historic‑resources subaccounts. Committee members noted the request as design funding only; subsequent construction costs could be requested later and might come from the open‑space fund or other town resources.

Why this matters: The Glen property is under a permanent recreation easement and is open to town residents; building ADA‑accessible crossings and compacted trail surfacing could expand recreational opportunities for older residents and people with mobility limitations.

What’s next: If the Finance Committee and Community Preservation Committee recommend the design appropriation, the request would go to fall town meeting; a subsequent appropriation would be needed for construction if the design shows construction costs that the town agrees to fund.