WOW Trail 1st Phase Dedication Set

[Shore Driver]

I ran the WOW as part of a 6+ mile loop recently. Added greatly to the enjoyment of the run and it kept me away from would have been an annoyingly traffic-filled portion of town.

Really looking forward to Phase II as it will include a nice scenic portion alongside Winnisquam towards the Mosquito Bridge.

[joey2665]

You can try to make this into and obesity and exercise issue all you want (I think that is a ridiculous argument) it is just a mascarade. The real issue here is that for anyone that lives along the trail and Rail Road will now have a cyclone fence between themselves and the lake especially if phase three is completed as this is where most of the homes impacted by the trail are located (how estetically pleasing can it be to have a fence obstructing a view of the lake whether public or private property).

Right now phase one is hiden behind mostly commercial building wait until phase to and three when many more passers by will be able to see the fence from the street. I think the trail will actually become a deterant and by they way reduce home values on the lake which will then result in lower assessed values and lower real estate taxes to the city.

Also, I dont think it is right to deny people that have lake access to cut it off in the name of an exercise trail. Many people walk and run beside the tracks and lake the way it exists now there is no need for a change.

In full disclosure I have a house in Long Bay and it will effect my lake access and no one from my broker, attorney or title company informed me that someday this might be a issue as I expect with most people (old and new) that have lake access.

I also beleive that over time the fence will become an eye soar as it rusts and deteriorates because as we all know as goverment funds get tight these types of projects are the first to have funds pulled.

Arent ther more pressing issue related to the lake that fund should be used for than a trail. How about the ever increasing Millfoil issue for one thing?

[fatlazyless]

Here's a thought; there are fences and then again, there are other fences, with some fences allowing a greater degree of "see through" than others. Hopefully, the engineer who designs the five foot high fence will be mindfull that the abutter homeowner wants to keep their waterfront view and can plan for a fence with a lot of transparancy.

Hey, if the U.S. could send a man to the moon in July of 1969, then maybe the WOW Trail can find a mostly transparent fence that is attractive and acceptable to opposing factions on both sides of the fence.

Here's my two cents.....how about an all clear plastic-translucent & almost totally transparent chain link, constructed from recyled, clear, ground-up old shower curtains and water bottles and refabricated into a see-through chain link. Just picture that.....W.O.W. ....what a view!

How about that ski area, snow fencing, that's usually orange.....could be that's available in clear-see-through? Not such a hot idea....ok...how about planting tomato vines to pretty up the fence and just get used to it? It's only five feet high, or four feet high or something....besides by planting tomato vines, the fence will grow on you over time! Besides, having a five foot high chain link fence all covered with tomato vines would increase the privacy from the prying eyes of bicyclers and pedestrians out using the trail. Who knows....maybe after the trail gets all built out, you'll be very happy to have a fence...and you'll wish for an even taller fence with that barbed wire on top?

[jetskier]

Fundamentally, the fence is an issue both from the standpoint of marring the frontage and intefereing with access to the shorefront. There are a number of busy cross points including marinas. To top things off, the fence will preclude some of the current recreational use...in the winter the tracks are part of the snowmobile trail system. That is going to be untenable with fencing. As a snowmobiler, I find that problematic.

So, the suggestion... Decide the use for the property without fences. Either there is a trail or a train. Not both. Without the train, the trail can be built along the current right of way without fencing. I don't think that most folks disapprove of the use, it is the fence that is a huge issue. Even a clear fence is going to be problematic (not to mention, extremely costly).

Alternatively, the trail could go around this portion of the bay. This is going to be extremely expensive to build along the shorefront as it will involve construction of bridges etc...

Jetskier

[fatlazyless]

Hey, how about an invisible fence just like for Barney the Basset Hound! Get too close to the invisible line and you get a good sharp electric jolt in your neck. Trail users would need to poney up twenty bucks or so to pay for their invisible fence-personal people collars.........ZAP!

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Hey, how about an invisible fence just like for Barney the Basset Hound! Get too close to the invisible line and you get a good sharp electric jolt in your neck. Trail users would need to poney up twenty bucks or so to pay for their invisible fence-personal people collars.........ZAP!

Seriously, why don't you try contributing something of value for once.

[trfour]

From the Citizen;

http://citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...-1/citnews1403



Terry
________________________________

[john60ri]

Looking forward to walking the trail. I usually visit the Laconia Library a couple of times when on vacation, and I'm curious to see where the trail begins. I get so much info from you guys on the forum! I wanna check out the new Fiddlehead Farms in Alton Bay, too.

[webmaster]

Here's an interesting article about a community that removed the fencing along their bike trail. It seems like removing the fence would eliminate many objections and should be considered.

http://www.americantrails.org/resour...avonfence.html

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Here's an interesting article about a community that removed the fencing along their bike trail. It seems like removing the fence would eliminate many objections and should be considered.

http://www.americantrails.org/resour...avonfence.html

Hi Don,

Please note that in the article the Boston-Maine railroad is not an active railway along this trail. In the case of the WOW trail, there is an active railway operating along a proposed route as a potential adjacency. I think that this is the crux of the issue. The railway does not want to operate next to the trail without a barrier as a matter of safety. The barrier is an issue for everyone else. So, if everyone is hell bent on this route, displace the railroad. That would save huge money and remove a significant safety issue. For my money, I would reroute...but, that is me.

Jetskier

[brk-lnt]

Not to get off-topic, but I'm surprised the railroad is still in business. Every time it comes by it seems like the cars are 80% empty.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Not to get off-topic, but I'm surprised the railroad is still in business. Every time it comes by it seems like the cars are 80% empty.

WOW... You really know how to hurt a guy!
Hay, I'll take 20% of that, any day!...

[trfour]

Originally Posted by jetskier

Hi Don,

Please note that in the article the Boston-Maine railroad is not an active railway along this trail. In the case of the WOW trail, there is an active railway operating along a proposed route as a potential adjacency. I think that this is the crux of the issue. The railway does not want to operate next to the trail without a barrier as a matter of safety. The barrier is an issue for everyone else. So, if everyone is hell bent on this route, displace the railroad. That would save huge money and remove a significant safety issue. For my money, I would reroute...but, that is me.

Jetskier

Deafunct Railroad?

Reminds me of living in Vermont when we used to open the front and back doors to let the 3 AM train go through...
We adapted well to our close proximity, and learned to use the ground shake to rock us to sleep, after a bit.

I honestly don't know where you came from, however I do know that the railroad traffic in this topic area, is nil to none most of the year round. Now here again, picture yourself at a baseball game at Fenway Park, for instance. When you should hear a very LOUD CROWD noise, put your hotdog down for just a moment, and pay attention! A fast ball could be headed your way...

Okay, I have lived in Laconia since years, and the WOW trail is one of many improvements to this area that I totally agree with!

Folks here have been putting up with me for many long years as well.
Even though I'm a little dislectic, and spell WOW backwords, it's still a good thing!



Terry
___________________________________________

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by jetskier

Fundamentally, the fence is an issue both from the standpoint of marring the frontage and intefereing with access to the shorefront. There are a number of busy cross points including marinas. To top things off, the fence will preclude some of the current recreational use...in the winter the tracks are part of the snowmobile trail system. That is going to be untenable with fencing. As a snowmobiler, I find that problematic.

So, the suggestion... Decide the use for the property without fences. Either there is a trail or a train. Not both. Without the train, the trail can be built along the current right of way without fencing. I don't think that most folks disapprove of the use, it is the fence that is a huge issue. Even a clear fence is going to be problematic (not to mention, extremely costly).

Alternatively, the trail could go around this portion of the bay. This is going to be extremely expensive to build along the shorefront as it will involve construction of bridges etc...

Jetskier

Jetskier I probably would have agreed with you three month ago but I do not know. I am in Long Bay and I opose anything that brings more traffic into our comminity.

My house was one of the homes burglarized recently and I had losses and damages exceeding 5000.00 and after speaking to the detective they stated that the criminals came in from and left via the rail road tracks.

A public trail that goes through our beautiful community although on the surface sounds great would only invite more ciminal activity especially during the off season.

[fatlazyless]

You never know....Laconia has a number of bicycle officers who patrol on bicycles, and it could be that a WOW Trail would have more honest citizens and police on the look-out, out your way. Thieves like to have an anonymous setting where there is no one around to see and report suspicious activity, so having a public trail could decrease crime, considering that a little used, unimproved, dirt bicycle-walking trail already exists next to the railroad track.

[no-engine]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

You never know....Laconia has a number of bicycle officers who patrol on bicycles, and it could be that a WOW Trail would have more honest citizens and police on the look-out, out your way. Thieves like to have an anonymous setting where there is no one around to see and report suspicious activity, so having a public trail could decrease crime, considering that a little used, unimproved, dirt bicycle-walking trail already exists next to the railroad track.

Very true, FL. Meredith has bicycle officers also, and I assume Belmont.

A Long Bay person posted that their attorney before settlement, NEVER discussed or disclosed a ROW through property! That legal adviser was negligent! If me, I'd take action. I once worked in real estate sales/brokerage. I also once x-c skiid along tracks within that area, and it can be very quiet area and "anonymous"! Depends on many factors. I'd also review my association's by-laws.

Next, I am unaware of details about "fencing". Did the State Legislature mandate fencing? Just how did that come about? I once observed the MA Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington "Minute Man" railroad bed converted to multi-use. There is fencing, BUT many openings for a person to walk through; there are areas where views exist. It all seems very good for mixed uses. People for the most part respect one another.

If NH Lawmakers said one seamless fence either side, somebody should work with their reps to introduce a bill to correct the problem. If I am wrong, as I wrote in another post, people need to go with the flow.

Do Laconia & Meredith property owners who own adjacent to the path, truly own the Lake sides of the path? Have an easement or what to access Lake side? It must vary. If their property is both sides of the path, I would think they have a right to cross and be given an opening in such fence. If they do not own both sides, then they have no recourse.

Seems that anyone owning land abutting the tracks, should seek legal advice from attorney of choice. Same would be true for those who are part of a condo association that owns land abutting the tracks. I know several people in Meredith who's lands abut the tracks, and they realize they have no legal access to land across the tracks. In many cases, the State's land or ROW includes the waterfront, which often is such a thin strip and of no real value or use.

Let's realize that we as forum people, are not giving legal advice. Please seek it oneself. Thanks!

[birchhaven]

The rail road company is subsidized by the state, so they get paid to run empty or full does not matter.
If they made money I would have a different opinion than the one I am about to express but the rail road cost all us tax payers money. It should be dissolved, and the trail should either go in or the land should go back to the original plot owners (at one point the land that the tracks were on was owned by the abutting property) or some mix of those two ideas.
Food for thought.

[Skip]

Vandals have apparently struck the WOW trail in the Lakeport area.

Article detailing the issue as covered by the Citizen can be read HERE!

[trfour]

Hopefully, children going back to school, and with the economy starting to get back on track, most of the vandalism will go away...

If not, maybe some strategically located surveillance or web-Cameras could help?

Thanks for the article Skip. Public awareness should help out too, in keeping a closer eye on things in any trouble areas.



Terry
______________________________________

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Jetskier I probably would have agreed with you three month ago but I do not know. I am in Long Bay and I opose anything that brings more traffic into our comminity.

My house was one of the homes burglarized recently and I had losses and damages exceeding 5000.00 and after speaking to the detective they stated that the criminals came in from and left via the rail road tracks.

A public trail that goes through our beautiful community although on the surface sounds great would only invite more ciminal activity especially during the off season.

Hi Joey,

I understand...we had some houses broken into in our neighborhood too. Some of our neighbors are actually moving as a result of the robbery. My understanding is that this happened after the snow melted and there was access to lake along the tracks. As I understand it, they caught the kids who did this...all little consolation, I am sure.

The other consideration, based upon your point is all the boats along the shorefront. That is an enormous potential exposure.

One other interesting considerations is actually the tax base. Right now, Laconia assesses property as waterfront if you have an unimpeded path to the water even if you are not directly on the water. With a fence and a trail that is clearly an impediment and waterfront will no longer be waterfront, there are going to be a ton of abatement filings if this all plays out.

Best idea, go around...cheaper, safer for everyone, same amount of exercise.

Jetskier