wow trail opposed
 

Interesting to see the South Down Shore residents cast a vote yesterday, at their annual meeting, to "oppose the trail coming through anywhere on South Down property."

Front page article in today's Aug
5 Laconia Daily Sun.

The wow trail, Winnisquam-Opechee-Winnipesaukee, www.wowtrail.org, is a proposed 9 mile long, bicycle, walking, cross country skiing, roller skating trail. It will run along the state owned, railroad embankment. directly on the waterfront of the three lakes. It would go from Belmont-Laconia-Weirs Beach-Meredith, almost entirely along the state's railroad right of way.

I think it's an excellent idea because it would create a 9 mile bicycle path. Paved with asphalt, wide enough for a fire truck, and seperated from the existing railroad tracks by a 5' high chain link fence, it would allow the public access to this state owned waterfront access lane.

It is no big surprise that South Down Shore, a gated community, would be opposed and consider it an intrusion onto their leased waterfront area. As an alternative route, South Down could have suggested an alternative route across their property so it would not impact the waterfront. What South Down has suggested, through a vote, is to oppose the trail anywhere on its' property and suggest it get detoured out to Parade Rd, Route 106 with a 45 mph speed limit and heavy traffic. Not too bicycle friendly.

Sounds to me like South Down has an 'it's my way or the highway proposal' attitude.

The three million dollar construction cost is to be shared by federal, state, local, & individual donations.

Depending on the snowfall, it could be used as a nine mile long, asphalt paved, 10' (?) wide, bicycle path from late March to mid-December. It could be a good new venue for safe bicycling along a relative flat path that is entirely on the waterfront.

It would bring a new group of visitors to the Weirs Beach area, bicyclers and roller bladers and walkers-joggers. I suppose it would travel over the already built wood boardwalk as it crosses through the Weirs. People could combine a three hour cruise on the Mount Washington with an 18 mile bike ride, or something. Nine miles of peddling, three hours of eat'n cheeseburgers and watch the views while Cruis'n the Mount, then nine more miles of biking.

Possibly, a bicycle/kayak rental business could succeed at the Weirs? Just like on Martha's Vinyard!

Hopefully, the residents of South Down Shore will reconsider at their upcoming Monday, August 11 meeting.

"(South Down spokesman) acknowledged that the developement does not have the legal authority to prevent the WOW trail from continuing to follow along the state owned railroad corridor."

Hey, it could be a good thing, maybe it's time to give bicycling a try, you might even like it. :):):):):)

I think the folks at SDS need to re-think things a bit.

The WOW is funded to some extent by Fed DOT. I believe that part of the SDS marina is on DOT property that is leased by SDS and that Fed DOT has granted right-of-way to SDS so that they can get to the water. Since Fed DOT has money into this project (Phase 1), I would expect they would like to see the whole project completed, all three phases.

The WOW folks are being very patient here since they really do not need SDS permission to move forward. They want to work with the owners at SDS to solve the real problem which is how to have the DOT required five-foot high fence to seperate the WOW trail from the rail bed and still give the SDS folks right-of-way to the water, without having to climb the fence. With the recent SDS move, I would not be surprised if DOT jumps in and tells the WOW folks to just move forward.

The WOW trail is a great project that will help bring more vacationers and their money into the area. It will also provide locals that like to bike or walk, a nice trail with great views of the lake.

I hope the SDS and WOW groups can come up with something that works for all, but in the end, no SDS permission is required. SDS owners do not own the rail bed. Working with the WOW folks to address the fence issue is the best solution to this issue.

Time to compromise folks!

R2B

I don't think that they object to the trail itself....my guess is that they don't want a chain link fence running the entire lenght of the waterfront,and I don't blame them.They certainly can't be accused of being snobs since they allow a snowmobile trail to go right through the property. I don't understand why a fence is even needed since it ads to the cost and is an eyesore.Maybe they should consult with the engineers that designed the Moultonborough bike path.....no fence and add crushed stone.:D

I don't understand how this 5 foot fence would work. There would have to be a lot of breaks in the fence to allows cars and pedestrians across the tracks. If there are multiple breaks in the fence then what good does the fence do.

How can you expect a land owner to agree to a fence that blocks their access.

How does this trail get past Maiden Lady Cove, Pickerel Cove, and Moulton's cove? The land inside the coves is private property and the tracks go over a very narrow causeway. And how will they keep people using the trail from climbing the fence to swim at these spots?

Is the boat tunnel at Pickerel Cove going to be twice as long? None of these answers are available at their website.

Today's Citizen has an article on it.

That's true, a 5' chain link fence positioned between the waterfront homes and the view out to the water is a major reason to oppose the trail. Replacing the proposed fence with say an 8" high curb made of granite cobbles, or wood, would seem better. Probably, the fence is required by safety rules or insurance rules. ....an invisible fence...how's that work?

These same issues will probably be presented by Grousse Point in Meredith, since that is similar to South Down in Laconia.

The 5 foot high fence is a Fed DOT requirement. It is meant to keep the people using the WOW trail away from the train using the state-owned rail bed. I understand the DOT is very rigid on this safety-related directive.

In other such applications, walkway tunnels and in a few cases walkway bridges have been constructed to provide access.

R2B

How will they address the many snowmobile access points from the lake? This is starting to look like a bad idea.

Even worse
 

I believe that the issues are even more complex:

Since SDC is a private community, a second fence would be required to prevent access to the community. In addition, there is a marina operating heavy equipment to put boats in an out of the water. This operation would have to work with a gate and cross the path. This is a tricky situation, at best. With bicycles etc...that is going to be exceedingly difficult.

It is my understanding that the trail would have to be 12' wide to allow ambulance access and that likely infringes on private property.

There are a number of areas where the trail can not follow the tracks, such as trestles bridges and berms.

Overall, this is an ill considered plan. Running this across the frontage of SDC is problematic from the standpoint of safety and it creates a complete eye sore for a community that is a primary tax contributer to Laconia. A number of properties in SDC are taxes as waterfront and I am sure that with a fence between them and the water, filings for abatements will follow.

I think that SDC has been reasonable visa vi the snowmobile access, but who wants two chain link fences blocking the view and access to the lake. That kinda defeats the purpose of being on/at the lake.

I am sure that SDC is not going to be the only community with this type of issue. A pragmatic solution that circumvents the frontage issue should be worked out. It is in the best interest of everyone involved.

Jetskier:cool:

What about the rail road tracks? I believe the tracks run from Meredith to the Weirs to Laconia to Belmont and to Franklin, and the Hobo Railroad runs from May to October.

If a railroad train is operating thru the right of way along the South Down waterfront, then a fence for the tracks would seem practical.

Not correct
 

No, there are issues:

There have to be gates to allow the marina to function and access to the beach areas. The heavy machinery that runs the boats is going to have to be wary of pedestrians, bicycles, skate boards etc... When the current train comes to SDC, it blows the whistle well in advance of crossing. Pedestrians do not have a whistle. Most users of the trail will not be expecting crossing traffic. This is a safety issue.

In addition, there are crossings all along the route with folks needing to gain access to the waterfront. That crossing traffic will be people, but it begs the opportunity for someone on a bike to run over a child.

This is a bad idea any way you slice it. It would be best to go around.

Jetskier:cool:

Boston, Newton, & Watertown, Massachusetts share a 12 mile long bicycle path that runs next to the Charles River. It has been there for many years. Other than no motorized vehicles like mopeds, it allows pedestrians, joggers, roller-bladers, skateboarders, bicyclists, unicycles, and pogo sticks. It can get crowded at times, too, especially along the Storrow Drive embankment near the Hatch Shell. It all manages to fit and work. Every once in a blue moon, someone gets creamed by a bicycle and they get hauled off in an ambulance, but not too often.

Are you talking about the loading ramp at Paugus Bay Marina, where it loads boats down its' ramp with a marina forklift from boat rack storage? Does South Down Shore have a boat ramp with rack storage too, or just a launch ramp for boats on trailers?

It would seem that the boat ramps are part of the embankment and that belongs to the state, when it was abandoned, years ago, by the railroad.

South Down Shores has a private marina with a fork lift (boat lift) that transports boats from the racks to the lake.

I assure you that if someone gets hurt on the trail due to a bike or other means, there will be litigation. That is the world in which we live. Why put someone at risk for this type of endeavor...it is more pragmatic to go around and not have the issue.

Jetskier:cool:

So, as it exists now, there is occaisionally a train pulling passenger cars that travel across the South Shore Down embankment. It goes slowly, and sounds a whistle when crossing.

The problem is the proposed 12' asphalt path, 5' high, chain link, safety fence and attendant walkers, runners, bicyclers, & cross country skiers.

I don't know, but just like the water in Lake Winnipesaukee belongs to the people of New Hampshire, the embankment railroad right-of-way does, too. The right-of-way gets leased by South Down Shore. When the lease agreement runs out, couldn't the state decide to just not allow South Down to use the state's embankment? Who own's the embankment?

let me throw another monkey wrench in here. How does the new Shoreline Protection act allow a Paved surface along the shoreline of Paugus Bay?

FLL,

Some of the shorefront is owned by SDS and the rest is owned by fed DOT and leased to SDS.

WBB,

I think they are considering this a project that was in the planning stages, therefore underway, when the July 1st date activated the new CSPA rules. However, that is a great question! I would guess a private landowner would have a hard time doing this.

I personally like the concept of the WOW trail and I have made a few contributions to the cause, but the questions being raised are great questions that I do not have answers for.

We almost bought at SDS/Long Bay several years ago, but during our "due diligence" phase, our lawyer warned us about the potential for water access issues in the future. His opinion was the shorefront leases were at risk of being discontinued and that the right-of-way across the tracks may also be lost, in time. That impacted our buying at SDS/Long Bay. Personally, I really liked it there, but if the access and docking was lost, it would no longer work for us.

For me, replacing the train with the WOW trail, without a fence and without the access restrictions, is better than having the train, the fence and and the WOW trail. That train makes a lot of noise! Since the state owns the rail bed and the DOT owns some of the waterfront and is insisting on the 5' fence, perhaps they can join in the discussions along with WOW and SDS and get this project moving.

R2B

R2B,

I don't think you will see the train going away, If anything with the renewed interest in Railroads, you may see a push from the south to reopen the tracks to passenger service. I think there was talk about this in another thread. The state owns the rails, the Hobo leases them, I can't see the state giving up that money to put in a wow trail that will pay 0. I like the idea of rail trails, but down in MA, they used extinct RR lines, pulled up tracks and ties, and they have done well. The sticking point is all the lakefront that WOW wants to use. My .02, It won't happen. You will see phase 1, which goes through the city, and maybe phase 2 as it borders mostly commercial or state owned property, But Phase 3 from Lakeport north, Not so Much. It will prove too costly with permitting, lawsuits etc.....

WBB

WBB,

You are probably right. Too bad, as that is the nicest part of the proposed WOW trail.

It is very dangerous to mix people and kids with trains without a barrier. Trains cannot stop on a dime! I believe that is why the Fed DOT said that there had to be a 5' fence. And, I can understand and appreciate the SDS folks opinion. Although they do not own the rail bed, they currently have a right-to-cross this rail bed. I realize the SDS is gated, but there are ungated access points through the development that they do not control. So, I see it as mostly gated, or almost gated.

I still hope that some sort of compromise can be reached as I have been looking forward to all three phases being built and biking from the Weirs to Lakeport on the WOW trail. I feel strongly that state resources should be open to as many people as possible, as the land and the lake should be open for all to enjoy. I think the WOW folks have tried to accomplish this with this project.

R2B

I have x-c skied along the SDS RR tracks in winter, from Laconia Country Club to Hilliard Road I think it's called. One can not be stopped for trespassing. Does the sewer line follow the tracks, as I do not recall there. It does in Meredith to Weirs! From there it must be along that side of Paugus Bay! Where else, but the tracks for the interceptor line to the Winnipesaukee River Basin Regional Treatment Plant in Franklin?

Far too numerous to count, I have been on the tracks & adjacent sewer line from Meredith to Weirs and along Scenic Road to Lakeside Road in to the heart of "Weirs" area. All public ways through Grousse Point, Needle Eye Road, Neal Shores areas and other sites along the route. I even chatted with home owners. The time of year has been summer on a bicycle or walking, and winter on X-C skis or snowshoes - never motorized, but there are also snow machines in winter and off road dirt motorbikes bikes in summer. All users I've seen treat neighboring private property with respect, staying on the public ways!

I don't think any land-owner association, land owner, community, or whatever group can possibly say no trespassing, along the RR and/or sewer right of ways.

I've also been on the former tracks now multi-use path in Somerville, Arlington, Watertown, etc. Very nice for all uses!

WOW should move forward and the SDS communities should agree and join in peacefully; in the end it'll actually benefit those unit owners, with the abundance of uses to enjoy!

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but....

I have ridden the tracks in the winter on my snowmobile and they are not groomed. The only thing to watch out for is other snowmobiles and x-country skiiers.

In the summer, there are trains, marina operations and folks crossing to get to the shore line. Add in a trail with cross traffic and you have way too much going on in a restricted area. As I indicated, there will invariably be an accident and litigation. If you add the blight of fencing to a pristine shoreline, it all becomes a very bad idea.

Jetskier:cool:

Looks like the entire issue needs many compromises. Can the State the municipal authorities, leaseholders, abutting land owners, and users meet and plan the benefits to all possible ones involved?

Is WOW, in fact, planning fences along the proposed routes? I wanted to attend one of the hearings, but did not. The section in Somerville & Arlington, MA I have been on is fenced with periodic openings. On Cape Cod, I see multi-use trails paralleling the streets in some places, with appropriate signs at crossings and such.

I think I was stating the facts about my personal uses of the right of ways - rail road and adjacent paths including parallel sewer lines. I think my only opinion was that I envisioned an added benefit to the uses of the multi use trail all year long, if I had access if I was near an entry to the trail, or lived within SDS, or any of the previous mentioned communities. In a way, I do have easy access, but do not abut any track or right of way. One can park at Meredith Marina, or along side roads, the bend in Scenic Road just near Tamarack, Lakeport train station and multitude other spots. I did once live in a water front condo apartment: "our beach" was infringed upon, so I very well understand the concerns of people within any community such as Southdown Shores; I also know people living within SDS, Neal Shore Road, Grousse Point and other areas. All of whom I respect what they have in their private community.

The land owners along the waterfront path in Ogunquit, ME survive jointly with people on the path.

Same goes in Newport, RI, where path users are next to high valued private property.

This thread, like most of FLL's topics, is filled with conjecture and various misunderstandings.

South Down Shores does not oppose the WOW trail, but there is a very strong desire to route the trail in a manner that allows it to fulfill the original spirit of the concept without creating a security risk or major eyesore to the residents and owners of SDS.

There certainly has not been a "my way or the highway" attitude as FLL insinuated in his first post. The WOW project is also very different from the converted tracks in MA where the trains no longer run and an abandoned track was converted into a walking path. There are certainly similarities, I am not arguing that point, but it's far from a 1-1 case study.

As a South Down resident and someone was has been "aware" of this upcoming issue for some time now I don't see the value in debating this topic much more here, but I do know that mutually beneficial compromises are available.

Well we can say this about alot of things on this forum (in someones opinion.) Isn't that what this forum is about, the LAKES REGION?

I think the WOW trail is a great idea...

But then the ugly head of NIMBY appears! The sticky point is the shoreline leases... If the WOW trail reroutes around SDS, thus accomodating the owners @ SDS, then every other owner along the trail expects the same treatment.

But here is the real question....

If the SDS residents oppose the plan, will the state decline to renew thier lease on the PUBLICLY owned shorefront?

This will no doubt cause all sorts of issues among the SDS community. If SDS goes to court to block the trail, the state could choose to play hardball, refuse to renew the shoreline leases and build the trail anyway...

Woodsy

COMPROMISES!
Please. I don't know why I come here to read, and then joined.

Right of ways, easements, paths, etc. all exist from compromises. Look at the amount of land improvement investments made within the Grouse Point area! One can walk, bicycle, or whatever down the tracks from either direction. I do not read or hear those people protesting the use of the tracks and accompanying land where sewer line exists. People used to drive autos down the path from the Meredith RR station to the houses at one-mile point, starting after the sewer line went in - illegal, but they did so. They were stopped; now they drive over the hill from Pemi Glass area on Rt 3. There must have been compromises with the developer of that high priced development!

The people at Meredith, Lake Shore Road, Grouse Point, Neal Shore, Needle Eye Road, Scenic Road, Weirs areas, the marinas, Hilliard Road and others on west side Paugus Bay, South Down Shores, and areas farther south, as Mass. Ave. Lakeport all purchased their properties and should have been well aware of their situations with RR and State sewer line. If they were not made aware by their representatives before taking ownership, they have issues with their advisers or lawyers.

Let's quit speculations, and participate in the compromises for the benefit of all, as was posted and asset to the communities.

You have not answered the question regarding safety, nor the issue regarding the ugly chain link fence. I think that these are the compelling issues. It is easy to discuss the "benefit" to the community and if not for the train and the fence, it might be different. However, they are central to the point. A shoreline with a chain link fence is a blight to all. Today there is grass, trees and the train tracks. It is bucolic. Shall we add a little barbed wire to the top just to complete the effect?

In addition, you need to consider the fact that a number of the properties along the route are being taxed by the communities as "shore front". The tax premium tends to run about 30%. When a fence is constructed, this is no longer legally shore front as there is a constructed impediment between the property and the shoreline. All of these properties will have to be adjusted downward and there will be a reduction in the tax base.

Compromises...hmmm, you have not addressed the issues nor offered any compromises. This is not a simple issue and there is more to it than your singular opinion.

Jetskier:cool:

I have no clue that IF the trail path is done, will there definitely be a fence?

There is no fence along tracks/sewer line in many parts that I have personally viewed. Who is saying that I am trespassing if I walk the tracks or sewer line from Meredith to Franklin?

You are right: how can a fence be placed, preventing persons on one side from going to other side of their own property. I know there are some landowners the same on either side of track, but with the easement or right of way through.
I am not a lawyer and never pretended to have an option or a position statement regarding a fence. Just what authority has said that there WILL be fences along all the tracks & sewer line? I have not read that! WHO SAYS THERE MUST OR WILL BE FENCES?

Guess I need to change a thought about cutting one's property in parts; it's been done by placement of an Interstate Highway in places. Of course a whole different matter!

I am not wishing to hold research hearings on all the legalities involved on this forum or any forum; I would like all the issues brought up at the public meetings. Like I said, why is it so difficult for the authorities and informed people to discuss situations and work compromises of differing opinions - yes opinions. Laws and deeds and deed restrictions and easements, etc. need to be made open. I am sure neither I or anyone posting here is aware of all the legal matters involved.

I am fully in favor of the WOW trail and I am glad to say that I have contributed to this project.

I realize that there are SDS/Long Bay owners that oppose this project. However, this project benefits all the people that will use the trail. The SDS/Long Bay owners are trying to restrict ownership of public land that they believe they have an ability to control.

I feel strongly that publically owned land should benefit the public, not the few that have limited, but exclusive rights to access. SDS/Long Bay owners do not own the rail bed in question. The state owns the land and the citizens should be the only people that benefit from this ownership.

Although I have been hoping that a good compromise could be worked out between WOW and SDS/Long Bay, it seems to me that SDS is not in the compromising mood. Therefore, I feel WOW should move forward and begin construction of Phase 3 at once.

SDS/Long Bay owners had their say and they refused to look at the big picture benefits of this project. They seem to think that they have a “gated community” and as such, no one should be able to enter their “gated” area. In fact, SDS/Long Bay has to allow access from the rail bed, land that they do not own, so this is not an infringement on their space. I had hoped that SDS/Long Bay would find a way to compromise in this situation, but based upon private emails to me and other public statements that SDs owners have made, I now feel compromise is not on the SDS/Long Bay agenda. Regardless of what some have said, they are clearly stonewalling this project.

This project is a wonderful project using public land for the good of all tax payers. That is what public land should be used for! The views of the water near Lakeport are wonderful and must be part of this project. It clearly brings value to the entire project.

SDS/Long Bay does not own one square foot of this rail bed, but they seem to think that they can stop the entire Phase 3 of this project, thus significantly weakening the whole project. It is time for those with any interest in this project to step up with their positions and opinions. The lake does not belong to owners at SDS /Long Bay. It is for everyone to enjoy, no matter what their financial means happen to be.

Completion of this project will give all residents and visitors a great path to see the lake with unobstructed views without any obstructions.
The public land in that area should be used for the benefit of the public, not for the few that happen to own property at SDS/Long Bay!

NH voters, please contact your representatives and senators about this issue. Public access must take precedence over privately granted leases and temporary rights-of-way. If leases are not in the best interest of all the citizens, they must not be renewed. The full interest of the public has to be considered. In fact, they own the land, not the few at SDS/Long Bay.

Hopefully, a reasonable compromise can be worked out, but the good of all must be given the strongest consideration! If SDS/Long Bay owners are not willing to compromise, then let us move forward in the best interest of all the folks in the public sector that will benefit from this great project. The personal interests of few should not infringe on the rights of many!

R2B

Over the top
 

Nice diatribe...where in this thread did you read anyone stating that position (SDS and Longbay)? There have been issues pointed out and now espousing anything except complete support for this is an effrontery to god and country. No one has addressed the issues brought up here. It is opinion and opining. Give me a break!


Jetskier:cool:

You have your opinion and I have mine! Thank God we have a free country!

I have no financial interest in SDS or Long Bay.

I believe I am telling it as it really is.

I would like to see the WOW trail built and I have contributed to this endeavor. I believe this is a great project that will benefit the entire area.

SDS/Long Bay folks are opposed, mostly due to their personal financial interests. They should have done a better "due dligence" study when they purchased their property. That is what I did when I decided to pass on a Long Bay property. You need to know what you are buying when you buy!

That is what this is all about, SDS/Long Bay trying to exert rights on land that is not owned by SDS/Long Bay.

I believe this is important for the general public to know and for any potential SDS/Lond Bay buyer to know.

As a Laconia water-front tax payer with a tax bill well over $10,000, I hope to enjoy riding my bike from the Weirs to Lakeport on state owned land, even if it happens to go in front of SDS/Long Bay owned land.

You own what you own and you live with what you do not own!

Therefore, I choose to continue this interesting discussion.

R2B

R2B and others,

Very well stated on both recent counts. I could not have stated better.
I am Meredith property owner and year round resident, whose land happen to abut the tracks, but has no rights across tracks, where it's private property and another short road, and more homes before the Lake.

Do not be hesitant: walk, bicycle, snowshoe, x-c ski the path (sewer line buried) beside the tracks. Public property!

Imagine someone building a 5 foot chain link fence in YOUR front yard (for the enjoyment of the public) ruining the view,that you are heavily taxed for and access to the lake ,which you are heavily taxed for.I know it sounds all fuzzy to think of people jogging and biking along the lake.Seems like those homeowners should have some rights,too. I have never lived in SDS but know a few people who do and they don't object at all to people using the rail bed or trail.It's an ugly chain link fence that they object to,and rightfully so.
If R2B thinks compromise is the answere,let the stae compromise and drop their demand for a fence.

Yes, this is the basic issue behind the opposition. Not only is the fence itself ugly, if you look at some of the existing WOW trail, many portions of the fence are already in disrepair and/or have all kinds of debris caught in the fence.

The WOW trail has a nice concept in spirit, but the implementation of the concept is causing a multi-mile long eyesore all along portions of Lakes Region waterfront.

to much gov
 

I agree that this is owned by the public and we should all have rights to use it but the NH DOT rails, considers it private publicly owned property, aka if a cop is having a bad day he could arrest anyone on the tracks for trespassing. Unless you has a crossing agreement with NH DOT

Extremely Dangerous...Be Careful
 

Not to belabor this discussion, but there are active trains running on the tracks. If you are on the tracks in the active sections, you really are taking your life in your hands. The trains have limited visibility in many sections and they can not stop very easily.

In the winter, the tracks are used for snowmobiling and x-country skiing as there are no trains or groomers. So, the only thing to watch out for is other users.

So, do not go on the tracks in sections where the trains are running. This is extremely dangerous. I don't want to read about anyone losing life or limb.

Jetskier:cool:

It is dangerous, as well as illegal.

Small Correction. In the winter there are trail groomers that service Corridor 15. I know, I used to run one! Belknap Snowmobilers grooms from Court St. North to Ashland RR station.

snowmob
 

I believe the reason the tracks are open in the winter is bc an agreement/use and access agreement in place with the NH DOT and the various Snow Mob. Ass.

Who Can Answer This Quote
 

From a recent post. I asked point blank, and had no answer in this thread! So, is this the agency (THE STATE) that says there will be fence along all WOW trails? Do all the municipalities through which the planned trail passes agree with a fence?
If so, apparently there need to be funding for maintenance, after installations!!!! Where does funding fall? The WOW organization?

No issue please, just answers, Thanks

...the invisable fence!
 

Here's the solution. An invisable fence just like for doggies. Trail users purchase their own collar that gives them a shock should they stray across the line. Sounds like the answer:D.

No ugly fence, no loss of property tax revenue, and the trail costs less to build.

Hey, it works good for dogs so why not people?

Another idea....instead of a five foot, chain link fence...how about those five inch high, granite, rectangular, cobble stones, lined up on the ground without any cement.

A low maintenance, easy to install, almost indestructable, very low profile, landscape fence. Talk about a simple solution.

No train for a while
 

I think I would rather have the WOW trail than the train. With the rail bed washed out in two places, I wonder if God is sending us his idea for the solution. God and I often see eye-to-eye. :) :)

I think if the train goes, the fence goes.

R2B