Several sections of trails need bridges to replace old planks or span muddy areas. Former Chairman Charlie Bradley came up with a great way to build a bunch of bridges simultaneously by building a 12x12 foot "deck" then cutting it into 2 or 3 foot sections to form the bridge.

If you want to help build a deck or two, meet in the parking lot behind the Northborough police station at 1:00 pm this Saturday (October 23rd) and we can build some bridges. We have the tools, but a few volunteers will be very helpful.

If anyone is inclined to mow the meadow section of Stirrup Brook, it really needs it.

I had the trimmer serviced at Boston Lawnmower. Once I got it back, I cleared the very end of Cold Harbor Trail with it, from West St. up to the first bridge. That was almost impassable.

I tried the trimmer at Stirrup Brook, but the grass is too tall and it tangles up the blade. Bring on the bush hog!

A volunteer, John Murphy, is organizing a group to replace some boards at Little Chauncy.

I'd like to get a few volunteers to help move some sections of boardwalk from Overlock Drive into the Edmunds Woods. The Northborough DPW kindly dropped off these sections for us, so all we need to do is position them over the swampy sections. Let's meet at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at Overlock Dr.

The trails have mostly dried up from the record setting spring rain and are in fine hiking/biking condition.

We have a couple projects that need volunteers: on Bird Song trail, there's a long (three section) bridge that floated off it's blocks, so we're going to have to move that back. There are wood planks on Tall Grass trail near the Assabet River that need to be moved into the muddy areas of Bird Song/Coyote trails.

There was some vandalism of trailhead kiosks at Edmunds Woods and Cold Harbor. NTC volunteers will be working this summer to fix those. If you want to help, send an e-mail to ntc01532@gmail.com.

The Northborough Trail Committee booth at Applefest attracted a lot of people yesterday. Some folks were from neighboring towns who were unaware of the extensive trail system in Northborough, and others were long-time hikers on one particular trail looking to expand their repertoire. We talked to mountain bikers, snow shoers, skiers, walkers, people with pups, etc. I was handing out maps left and right and sensed a great deal of enthusiasm.

I was out yesterday with the trimmer, clearing the weeds, grass, etc from Coyote Trail, Bird Song Trail and Tall Grass trail. I saw a few people on the trail and let them know they could stop by the NTC table at Applefest to get maps of all the trails and expert advice on pretty much anything.

When: Saturday October 24th, 9:00 a.m. (rain date: Sunday)