How have our state parks fared in the new state budget?
The good news is the bleeding has been stopped. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (a combination of parks and forests from both the former Metropolitan District Commission and the Department of Environmental Management) has been level-funded, and still has most of the staff it had last year. The merger of the two agencies, and a tighter focus on the core missions of natural and cultural conservation, should save some money that can be used for other purposes.
There are some new projects. Gary Briere, chief of the Bureau of Recreation, specifically mentioned the Canal Side Rail Trail in Turners Falls, and the plan to begin construction this fall on the connector between the Norwottuck Rail Trail and the Northampton Rail Trail – finally we'll be able to bike to Northampton, Florence and Look Park without having to ride on the wrong side of Route 9 under Route 91.
What about resurfacing the Norwottuck Rail Trail? Everyone agrees that tree roots are causing major problems. Congressman John Olver has gotten funds for resurfacing in the federal Transportation Bill. Unfortunately, as with highways, resurfacing may come at a significant price.
Does the term "AASHTO standards" ring a bell? AASHTO is the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; "AASHTO standards" are standards for construction used for projects involving federal money (among other things). Many of us have spent a lot of time fighting to keep stretches of rural roads from being widened, denuded of trees and stone walls, and turned into mini-interstates that encourage speeding. Think of Route 66 in Westhampton, Route 181 in Belchertown, even the "silver bridge" on Leverett Road in Cushman. It turns out there are AASHTO standards for bicycle trails, too, and they call for trails to be at least ten feet wide, preferably twelve. The Norwottuck Trail is eight feet wide. Alexandra Dawson, Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee of the Pioneer Valley Planning Council, recalls that that width was set by the size of the actual railroad embankment, especially in Hadley. Dawson says the paved trail could be ten feet wide if we don't keep the grass on each side. Increasing the total width would affect wetlands in several places. Surely no one is proposing to widen the two tunnels and many bridges? Worst of all, though, widening the trail by two to four feet would destroy much of what makes it so wonderful: the trees and large shrubs that shade the riders, create a breeze on hot days, and provide a visual buffer from the increasing development along the route. According to Dawson, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission did a survey of riders on the Trail a year or two ago, asking if they wanted it widened; 90% said they like it the way it is. A denuded Rail Trail would lose most of its appeal and its users.
Other parks are also losing much of their appeal, generally due to over-use, long-term neglect, and factors beyond the capability of park supervisors to control. The forests and parks agency has been underfunded since the recession of the late 1980s. When I was on the Board of Managers for the Department of Environmental Management (as it was then called) in the late 90s, we saw report after report of what was wrong with the parks, how much money would be required to restore them, etc. It's only gotten worse since. Between FY2001 and FY2002, there was a 30% cut in overall operating appropriations; in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 the budget was cut another 20%. The Commonwealth has not been investing in our common wealth.
What's missing? Staff with time and training to do their jobs of maintaining, protecting and interpreting the parks to visitors. Tools for upkeep. And just about any ability to see the big picture and plan for the future. Hemlocks are dying throughout the woods because of the hemlock woolly adelgid (just look at the trees at the base of Mt Holyoke, on both sides of the road). Years of drought have killed or damaged many mountain laurels. Global warming is altering the habitats that are required by many of our species. Developments hem in parks. What is our Department of Conservation doing to deal with these threats to the actual conservation of our resources?
Among the changes at DCR is new leadership: Kathy Abbott is the Commissioner of DCR and Priscilla Geigis is the Director of State Parks and Recreation. I hear their energy and dedication and openness to staff input encourage many DCR staff. It's been a very demoralized department, so I genuinely hope it's improving as a place to work. I also hope the new leaders have the energy to develop a genuine vision for the future of our parks and forests, one that faces the threats squarely.