As you may be aware, the Town has constructed a small parking lot off Whitney Street as well as a trail from the parking lot to the Upper Charles Trail. This now provides access from Sherborn to the trail which extends through both Holliston and Milford. The connecting trail is very nice. This is a great asset for Sherborn and the region.
Unfortunately, there is a down side to this great asset. Both the parking lot and trail are constructed on private property through an easement granted to the Town by the developer of the Meadows Edge at Whitney Farm housing development. The parking lot is accessed via an emergency access road for the benefit of the housing development. Furthermore, the parking lot is limited to 3 spaces plus a handicapped space. We have had several instances of people parking their cars on the emergency access road and even in front of the chain that now blocks access to the housing development. Cars have also been parked on the grass next to the parking lot. This is unacceptable and is an abuse of this great asset. Police have been called multiple times to address the situation.
The Town is taking steps to prevent future abuse, including installation of signs indicating that violators will be towed at owners expense and rules for using the facility, as well as physical barriers. However, this message is an appeal to please use common courtesy and respect for private property when using this awesome Town amenity:
- Park only in the designated spaces.
- Do NOT park on the emergency access road or on the grass.
- Car pool to the parking lot if walking with friends.
- Ride your bicycle to the trail if possible. Whitney Street is marked with sharrows indicating it is a bicycle route.
- Do not enter the private property that is the housing development. The road within the development is private and is owned and maintained by the condominium association. There is no public access to that road. This includes pedestrian and bicycle access as well as vehicular access.
