Beyond playing fields: We want to diversify what our Parks and Rec can offer.

Why Hill’s Hill?

Hill’s Hill was chosen from a shortlist of recreation department properties based on location, access to residents, and current use.  The land connects directly to the Minuteman bikeway, creating an easy way for youth to travel there without needing to ride in traffic or be driven.  Many residents hope to remediate current illegal activity (vandalism, littering, teen drinking) in the park through positive means; the proposed bike park may accomplish that goal as well. 

How much space does the project use?

The proposed bike usage area of Hills Hill is 0.65 acres (8/2/22 feasibility Study Presentation).  To put that into context, that is the same size as the Robbins Farm playground and slide area.  It is roughly half the size of a typical Arlington soccer field or Little League baseball diamond.

Will any trees be removed?  

The final pump track itself will only take up roughly one third of an acre. The forest within the selected area is fairly sparse which means no mature trees will have to be removed.

We will be able to design the track around the existing trees and geography to minimize our impact on the natural environment.

Additional new trails in the area will be professionally built and will be better able to handle drainage and access issues than the currently existing illegally-built trails.

Who can use these mountain bike facilities?

 Anyone!  Mountain biking on trails is just like hiking but from the seat of a bicycle!  These trails and features can be enjoyed not just on a traditional “mountain bike” but also on a BMX bike, a hybrid bike, pedal bikes with e-assist, or a balance bike or one with training wheels.  Mountain bikers range in age from toddlers to senior citizens.  Youth mountain biking in particular is on the rise, with mountain bike groups for elementary and middle-schoolers growing exponentially.

Isn’t Hill’s Hill conservation land?

Although in recent years, the wooded part of Hill’s Hill has not served any recreational purpose (except for illegal drinking and parties), there was a playground in the clearing at the top many years ago.  The original deed for the land in 1945 stated that it be used by the Town of Arlington for recreation or a public playground. 

Does building a pump track require clear-cutting trees? I’ve seen pictures that suggest this.

Per Will Conroy of Powderhorn Trail Builders, the pictures of the Keene Bike Park shown in the Town of Arlington project page show an “area was a plantation of Red Pine that was planted in the 30’s as a part of the New Deal stimulus that put the unemployed to work on civil projects. The trees were planted in a grid-like pattern with equal spacing, had reached the point of maturity, and were beginning to see the detrimental effects of homogeneous planting patterns as well as disease. The majority of the area was cleared by a professional logger at the start of the project. We used a large amount of the Timber in the construction of the park, and the rest was sold to mills. After the earth work was complete, we planted local Elm varieties that had been bred to be disease/bug-resistant in a local nursery. These trees will hopefully provide shade in the future as well as an aesthetic appeal."

What’s next?  How can I help?

(As of Jan 2023) The Parks and Recreation Commission has submitted a request for funding to the Community Preservation Act committee.  While the comment period for that process has ended, we will need to have neighbors to reach out to their Town Meeting Members in support of the mountain bike project.  To receive occasional updates on how you can help, please add your contact info HERE.

Are there conflicts between mountain bikers and barred owls?

The rallying cry to “save the barred owl” is compelling but not substantive. Barred owls coexist with mountain bikers happily on many other trail networks.

Why is conservation land being developed at all?

The Hill’s Hill parcel does not have any Conservation Commission easements, jurisdiction, or control.  Hill’s Hill is entirely controlled by Parks and Rec, unlike other land in Arlington such as the 10+ acres of Mt Gilboa that is owned by the Conservation Commission. 

How will this facility be maintained?

Maintenance will be assisted by NEMBA as well as the town volunteer groups like the Arlington High School Cycling Club.  The important thing to realize is that typically, dirt pump tracks are maintained by stakeholders other than municipal Public Works Dept.  Importantly, this would have a low burden of maintenance to the Town of Arlington moving forward.