Hubbardston committee finalizes ribbon-cutting and signage for new Dottie Rock accessible trail

The Town of Hubbardston Open Space Committee on Aug. 28 set a ribbon-cutting for the new Dottie Rock accessible trail for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, with a rain date of Wednesday, Sept. 24, and agreed on signage and several trail names tied to the new network.

Committee members said Mark Kresge will introduce representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and MassTrails at the event and that the North County Land Trust will help publicize it. Organizers plan a staggered walk after a brief ribbon-cutting and will offer GRIT chairs for visitors with mobility limitations to try on-site.

The committee emphasized accessibility in signage. Members agreed to add a standard accessibility symbol (a combined hiker/wheelchair icon used by Massachusetts trail programs) on trail signage rather than changing the trail name to include the word “accessible.” They also discussed adding a symbol to the Dottie Rock Trail entrance so users can identify the accessible surface before starting the loop.

Committee members also finalized practical event details: Katie (town events) will post notices on the town sign and social media and put information on the town website; volunteers will provide trail mix and water in bulk containers and enforce carry-in/carry-out trash rules; Claudia, director of the senior center, provided shuttle-contact information as a contingency; and Ryan Couture (police) will be asked to advise on traffic control if attendance exceeds parking capacity. The committee said attendees could park at nearby Mount Jeff and be shuttled down if needed.

The meeting also recorded naming decisions for several new or reworked trails near Dottie Rock. The committee agreed on the following names by consensus: the main accessible route will remain “Dottie Rock Trail” (marked with the accessibility symbol), a short field-edge connector will be called “Athens Way,” an Eagle Scout project loop will be named the “Scout Trail,” a ridge route will be the “Northridge Loop,” and a rocky section will be named “Moose Track Trail.” For one small connector trail members favored “Headwater Trail” over “Connector” but said they would finalize wording on the maps and signs.

Committee members discussed event accessibility features: a portable battery-powered microphone (Katie may supply one), an available platform (a 4-step mounting block normally used in the barn) as an optional stage, and the possibility of hay-wagon seating or a megaphone as backups. The committee also agreed the land trust would issue a press email and that the Merry Gazette would be notified.

Members raised enforcement and stewardship concerns: they asked the press and social posts to request that ATVs not be used on the trail and asked volunteers and local media to include this in event communications. The committee discussed using temporary posts or a banner at the trail entrance to help direct visitors and reduce congestion.

The meeting closed with logistical follow-up: event invitations will go out to about two dozen stakeholders including DCR/MassTrails contacts; Mark will lead introductions; and the committee will coordinate parking, shuttle and a request for police traffic support if needed. The committee intends the ribbon-cutting to be brief and to highlight the trail’s availability for people with mobility limitations and the partners who helped build it.