Resident urges graveling, phased fixes for Carbondale Nature Park to limit trail erosion

Anna Rosenberg, owner of Sneakers and Snouts, told the Carbondale Parks and Recreation Commission on May 14 that her priority for the Carbondale Nature Park is “graveling the nature park” to reduce ongoing trail erosion and to keep the park usable year-round for dog owners.

Rosenberg said she has used the park multiple times per week and described visible trail widening and repeated muddy seasons that, in her view, are creating new, informal trails. She proposed a fenced, rentable “dog training/run” area near the picnic tables and porta-potty, and offered to help fundraise. “I could get about $5,000 this year,” she said, adding that the town’s previously estimated cost to build a crusher-fines loop was “maybe around 34, 30 6 thousand” and, accounting for inflation, “maybe $40,45,000.”

Chair Hollis Sutherland and staff acknowledged the concern but said the nature park needs a broader planning process. Sutherland told Rosenberg the commission has been discussing a dedicated park master plan and that wetlands designations limit some trail options. Sutherland summarized the commission’s interim approach: limited short-term trail maintenance while developing a more formal master plan so community input is incorporated.

Parks and Recreation Director Eric Brenlinger and commission members described several near-term maintenance techniques already tried or available: straw or wood-chip placements in muddy sections, reseeding and temporary fencing of widened edges, and use of engineered materials as an interim surface. Brenlinger said the town has tested straw and wood chips and that “we have a good supplier and the method to deliver” engineered wood fiber used at playgrounds; when compacted and edged it can stabilize trails temporarily without creating permanent infrastructure.

Commissioners discussed phased approaches such as addressing the worst mud-season segments first, testing width (six feet vs. eight feet) and surface options (engineered wood fiber vs. crusher fines), and using short-term edging (straw rolls and borders) to contain loose material. Rosenberg and others suggested community fundraising, corporate donations, and grants (including age-friendly/accessibility grants) as possible funding sources for interim improvements and longer-term master-plan work.

Rosenberg said she would help with outreach and fundraising and requested that the town post project surveys and keep the public informed when the master-plan outreach takes place. The commission encouraged her to watch upcoming agendas and survey notices and to offer further ideas for near-term mitigation that could be tested before a formal, town-funded master plan is completed.

The commission did not take any formal action at the meeting to fund the work; staff said they will report back on cost estimates for targeted, short-term fixes and on options for engineered materials and edging.

Ending: Commissioners and staff asked residents with interest and experience to participate in future outreach and offered to share status updates once staff develops cost and phasing options.