Sturbridge sports roundup, Sept. 28 to Oct. 4

STURBRIDGE -- The Sturbridge Conservation Commission heard a review of the second draft of the Plimpton Community Forest master plan at its Oct. 1 meeting, with the town's Trails Committee stating it does not support the current draft.

COMMUNITY -- Jill Craig of Conservation Works LLC presented the draft master plan, which is meant to guide long-term management of the Plimpton Community Forest around three themes: protecting ecological resources, protecting cultural and historic features, and managing recreation. Craig said the trail recommendations aim not to eliminate recreation but to move toward "a more intentional and sustainable trail system," including closing some routes and improving others.

Discussion centered on an unofficial single-track trail network in the forest's northeastern section that is popular with mountain bikers but sits within what Craig described as an ecologically sensitive area. Commission member Eric Gaspar asked whether the town's mountain biking community had been consulted, noting a public survey showed people "are definitely enjoying those trails."

Trails Committee chair Brandon Goodwin, speaking for the record, said the committee was not supportive of the draft as written and that the single-track trails were created informally by riders rather than planned by the committee. Goodwin said an earlier, committee-approved trail design predated the current draft process.

Commission members said any decision to close or formalize trails would require a separate Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (MESA) review process, and that no final action was being taken on the plan Oct. 1. Members also discussed the town's limited staff capacity to monitor its more than 2,000 acres of conservation land and reliance on volunteers to help enforce trail closures.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.