Wilbraham committee readies new trail maps, kiosks and controls for rogue trails

Wilbraham — May 26, 2026

The Wilbraham Open Space and Recreation Committee on May 26 approved updated trail maps for upcoming kiosks and outlined steps to discourage unauthorized "rogue" trails, including signage and physical blocking of unapproved paths.

The committee said Bill Michels and Joe Calabrese have prepared the next-to-last set of maps for use in kiosk panels covering Thayer Brook, Crane Hill and Rice Field, and that kiosks at Thayer Brook, McDonald's and Crane Hill will be refurbished and moved to more accessible, visible locations. "The only place left is McDonald's," the committee reported in its meeting minutes, noting McDonald's work will follow completion and marking of a new loop.

Members agreed to defer active remediation of rogue trails until the coming fall. At that time the committee plans to post "Do Not Enter" signs at trail entrances and exits and place downed branches and limbs to discourage access. The committee said it will seek help from the local biking community and the Conservation Commission to implement the work.

Joe Calabrese described several website and map updates: splitting combined pages (Twelve Mile and Crane Hill; Easy Trail and Thayer Brook) into separate pages, adding accessibility information for the Easy and Sawmill trails, replacing outdated maps with new maps created by Bill Michels that include QR codes and identification numbers, and updating loop directions. The minutes note McDonald's kiosk remains pending until the new loop is marked.

Jay Taylor presented mockups for identification hats and business cards to be used while members and volunteers are working on trails. Production estimates discussed at the meeting were $45 for setup and $30 per 100 two-sided cards; members agreed to purchase hats and cards and individually contribute about $20–$30 toward a hat. Taylor also reported volunteer help from middle school students who used a leaf blower to clear portions of the Easy Trail.

Taylor said he will ask John Walsh, the town ADA compliance officer, to evaluate whether the Easy and Sawmill trails meet ADA accessibility requirements. No formal determination was recorded at the meeting.

The committee listed several items to keep on its "back burner" for future meetings, including trail street signs, ongoing rogue-trails work, newspaper article outreach, Rice Field, and recruiting new members. The committee set its next meeting for June 30, 2026.

The meeting minutes record no formal votes on ordinances or budgets; the prior meeting minutes were approved unanimously at the start of the meeting.