Trails panel approves 2025 meeting calendar, orders volunteer shirts; flags parking misuse at John Clyde preserve

On Nov. 13 the Franklin Township Trails Advisory Committee adopted a 2025 meeting calendar that mixes in-person and virtual sessions (in-person: Jan., Apr., June, Oct.; virtual: most other months; July virtual; August canceled). The motion to adopt the calendar carried by voice vote; staff will advertise dates in the local paper and reserve rooms.

The committee also voted to order short- and long-sleeve volunteer shirts through the Recreation Department’s vendor, at a low per-unit cost reported by staff. Tara said the vendor’s pricing is approximately $4 per short-sleeve shirt, with modestly higher costs for larger sizes and long sleeves, and that staff will coordinate sizes and designs and request OSAC approval of any Open Space Trust Fund expenditure if needed.

In trail reports, members raised maintenance items at Bunker Hill and expressed concern that a private property adjacent to the John Clyde Grassland Preserve appears to have hosted events or short-term rentals that used the preserve’s parking lot. Committee members asked staff to forward the complaint to zoning enforcement and to the township manager; staff noted the preserve was purchased with Green Acres funding, which places limits on allowable private uses and prohibits using the preserve parking lot for private commercial events.

The committee confirmed upcoming hikes and events for November and December (including a daytime storybook walk and a nighttime astronomy/storybook hike), and staff will coordinate registration with Recreation.

Next steps: staff to publicize 2025 calendar, order shirts, follow up with zoning enforcement about unauthorized use of the John Clyde parking area and return with updates at the next meeting.