Conservation Commission issues Negative 3 determination and agrees to write CPA support letter for Norica/Nordica trail improvements

At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Springfield Conservation Commission issued a Negative 3 determination of applicability for proposed improvements to the Dwayne Avenue (referred to in materials as the Norica/Nordica) trail system, covering sections on private property at 7 Nordica Street and adjoining Springfield Conservation Commission land west of Liberty Street. The commission also agreed that staff would provide a letter of support for the project's Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant application.

Todd Crossett, who identified himself as living at 7 Nordica Street and a co-owner of the adjacent property, presented the plan and said the project aims "to improve these trails" across roughly a mile of informal paths, including a main loop of about "7 tenths of a mile." Crossett described three principal elements: light grading to manage stormwater at the Doyle Street trailhead, a roughly 50-foot boardwalk spanning a drainage that drains to Abbey Brook, and rerouting two spur paths to reduce steep grades and minimize impacts on private yards and wetland areas. He said the applicants intend to keep the CPA-funded portion "under $50,000" but that required helical piers for the boardwalk may raise costs.

Walker Corby, identified as the owner of Terramor LLC and the project's trail contractor, described the grading as shaping the drainage invert so "the water just will always stay off of the trail" and said a typical short boardwalk for the project would be 48 inches outside-to-outside, producing about 40 inches of clear walking space. Corby said gaps between deck boards would likely be about a half-inch because the boardwalk is not planned to be wheelchair accessible.

Neighbors and users spoke in support. George Plasse, a nearby resident, said the proposal "sounds like a great idea" and that the improvements would help reduce erosion at the locations Crossett identified. Hannah Bliss, a neighbor who uses the woods, said she hikes the area regularly and would be "so thrilled" to see those changes for safety and access.

Commission staff and members asked technical questions about drainage, signage and trail width. Commissioners expressed concern about potential increases in nonlocal traffic and motorized use; presenters said they intend signage to discourage motorized vehicles and to favor neighborhood foot traffic. The commission attached the condition that staff (Adam) be notified before any grading or bridge construction so the office can review plans and oversee required work.

A motion to issue the Negative 3 determination with the proviso that commission staff be notified before grading or bridge construction carried on a recorded vote with Commissioners Collins, Miller, Ryan and Bongiovanni voting "yes." The commission directed staff to draft and send a letter of support for the CPA application.

The applicants said they will coordinate knotweed control with Green Springfield (a local conservation group) as part of related work and plan to keep permanent parking expansion out of the project's scope. The commission closed the public hearing and moved on to other business after recording its decision.