The ARFRR Blog: October 2022

Barry the owl, seen at Hill's Hill photo courtesy savehillshill.com

Preserve the Woodlands at Hill's Hill

contributed by Beth Melofchik

The Arlington Park and Recreation Commission (PRC) intends to create a mountain bike park at Hill's Hill, and clear the top of the hill for a pump track. They have requested $400,000 for repurposing this woodland, replete with several types of native oak, shagbark hickory, big tooth aspen, and native cherry. During climate breakdown is this the best use of this woodland? Can Arlington afford to lose native trees on public land? What are the high value trees?

An environmental impact study has not been done prior to PRC deciding to move forward with a Community Preservation Act funding request. The location of Hill's Hill woods is in proximity to the Mirak heat island and along the Mill Brook Linear Park. Imagine Arlington Great Meadow heading east to the Reservoir, Hurd Field, Buck Field, Hills Hill Woods, Old Schwamb Mill, Wellington Park and on into Arlington Center. This runs along the Minuteman Bike trail and Mill Brook.

Visit https://savehillshill.com to learn how you can take action.

Why is a luxury mountain biking park an inevitable build for Arlington? They first tried to establish it in the historic Menotomy Rocks Park, then in Crusher Woods. Neighbors and outdoor lovers, those with an understanding of passive recreation and the importance of access to woods and access to green space for all, organized and those parks were preserved. Now Hills Hill Woods is on the drawing board for this bike park, at the behest of PRC.

The proposed Pump Track, photo courtesy savehillshill.com

Has a market survey been done? Why do we need a mountain biking park with a pump track? Who will use it? How much do mountain bikes cost? To what cohort of the population of Arlington would it cater? Are there other sports fields serving this group? Are there other parcels in town of a less strategic value to our tree canopy and habitat preservation?

Is there a better use of $400,000 of CPA funds when Arlington faces colossal overrides?

Has this project been reviewed by the Tree Committee, Sustainable Arlington, Clean Energy Futures Committee, and Open Space Committee for potential impact on extreme heat, storm water retention and habitat loss? I remind the reader that Arlington offered the Reservoir beach with an entry fee and the splash park at the Thompson School as cooling centers last summer during periods of extreme heat. Arlington needs all its shady spots, we cannot afford to lose access to any woodland. Arlington needs trees absorbing storm water.

An image from the website of the project contractor

Trails are already being created at Hill's Hill without PRC authorization. One excavation pit at Hill's Hill is 3 feet deep. This is a hazard to birders, hikers, walkers, anyone out enjoying the sunshine and woodland. An unknowing child on a bike could topple in or even someone's pet. This hazard is on town owned land administered by PRC.

We may need to change how we live and consume. Sustainable Arlington and the Clean Energy Futures Committee informs us of that, but we also simultaneously need to preserve what we have in our parks and green spaces for us and for our children and grandchildren.

Time out. What is the best use of the woodland at Hills Hill?

Tune in. JOIN THE ZOOM CALL FOR THE CPA COMMITTEE, Wednesday Nov. 2, 6pm - 8pm