Wellesley must strive to make more trails accessible so more people can enjoy them

To the editor:

Currently in the town of Wellesley there are a reported 48 miles of trails. Only two of them are accessible according to standards set by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that everyone can use and enjoy them. On the state level, the Trails For All organization notes that only 10% of trails on state land in Massachusetts are accessible. We believe that everyone should be able to access the outdoors and that Wellesley should make a goal of making more trails accessible.

The Fuller Brook Path, one of the major walking trails in Wellesley according to the Trails Committee, is the town’s most walked trail. At 2.2 miles long, the stone dust path is ADA approved and was recently renovated in 2017. With the new gravel material it was made a friendly option for bikers, walkers, families and anyone who wants a breath of fresh air. The other accessible trail in Wellesley is the Charles River Path located in. Wellesley Office Park. This path is a mix of asphalt and some boardwalks so it is easy to cross the wetlands. Additionally, this trail crosses through many towns in Massachusetts and is another great option that meets ADA standards.

Clearly, Wellesley has two already amazing trails that are fully accessible, so if the town has done it before then surely they can do it again. Additionally Ezra Englebardt, chair of the Wellesley Trails Committee, says that people often forget the fact that the town has many miles of trails to offer besides the Brook Path. We think the Town needs to make more of these other trails accessible as well. Good candidates would be the Longfellow Pond Trail or some sections of the Centennial Park Trail. By making even just one more trail accessible it opens up a whole new area that people can enjoy.

Everyone in Wellesley should have equal opportunities when being outdoors and when we say these trails could become more accessible it doesn’t just benefit people in wheelchairs. According to Unpaved Trails For All—an organization that advocates for more accessible trails in Massachusetts—these trails can help the elderly, young children, people with blindness or vision issues, people that have sensory issues or people with any other type of mobility issue. They also report that this group of people represents around 36-49% of Massachusetts’ population,  which is more than you may realize. If we strive to make more trails and paths accessible, then people can enjoy them.

People often don’t like change or construction, which can be necessary to change a trail surface. It can cost more money to make a change. But this is worth it to make sure that everyone can experience trails and be outdoors.

Wellesley’s Trail Committee and Natural Resource Commission should make more of Wellesley’s trails accessible for everyone.

WMS grade 8 students,

Sage Benjamin
Emmie Elboim
Sienna Broggi
Paige Tortora