Great Brook Farm - Fees & Big Brother?

Fellow Riders,

I haven't been able to confirm this yet, but a co-worker who mtn bikes was walking at Great Brook Farm yesterday and she indicated that she read the following on a sign at the park:

1. There will be an enforced pay to park policy this year at GBF. Not a big deal, but some folks might get offended.

2. All bike riders will be required to acquire ($?) a tag to be displayed on the front of the bike with an identification number. This supposedly will be allow others (walkers, equestrains, etc) to report the ID of "unsafe" bikers.

3. There will be several "speed cameras" set up within in the park to monitor and record the ID's of those bikers who are traveling at an unsafe speed.

As I said, I have not been able to confirm this, but my co-worker is pretty reputable. She left a voice mail message at GBF today asking them to call her back to clarify what she read. I don't want to start a panic, but if this is true, NEMBA has some serious discussions that need to be initiated with GBF. I thought we had a really good reputation with all of our trail building and maintenance activities and am surprised if something like this would be put upon us without any discussion or input from NEMBA.

Of course, if I'm wrong, I'm apologizing in advance for bring this up. I hope I am wrong.

[AA]

Given the relationship between NEMBA and GB I would be suprised if that was true. Perhaps PK can clear this up.

[CouchingTiger]

I know that there will be a charge to park at GreatBrook in the very near future. This will apply to everyone and I'd bet that you will be able to buy a pass.

I highly doubt that they are planning to spend money on a radar trap system, however, given all of the cutbacks of late. PK has mentioned nothing about that, or a pass/tag system for certain users only.

-Couch

[PreservedKillick]

I walk GBF just about every day, but nowhere near where they'd post signs - I'll see if I can find one tomorrow. Our local paper has confirmed the parking charge - IIRC, it was $2 a day or $35 for a year pass.

I have heard nothing about bike tags or speed traps. I can't see the need for either one. I primarily hike the park and have found bikers to be almost universally safe and courteous, and NEMBA's trail and bridge work has been wonderful.

[pk]

DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ!!!

The only change at Great Brook Farm, and a handful of other DEM parks in Massachusetts, is a parking charge. This will take place at GB in about 2 weeks when they install the machines. The daily rate will be $2, a season pass will cost $35 and be valid at any park there they have a parking fee (though this might not include some beaches and Walden Pond--not sure.). You'll be able to get a season pass at the park.

There are NO other plans, and all users who drive to the park will need to pay for parking.

pk

[jaime]

Identity tags and speed monitoring would be a drag, but I don't see the $35 yearly pass as being an issue at all. Based on the amount of fun I have at GBF alone (not to mention any of the other parks administered by the DEM)that might be the best bargain in the commonwealth.

[Adam]

Especially considering a season's XC ski pass was $50+ this year. Biking lasts much longer too

Adam

[T Grimble]

Considering the fiscal problems that the state is having, a parking fee seems to be a fair way to generate funds for the park. I would rather pay a little to park my car then have them cut staff, which would have a major effect on our access. $2 a day is minor for occasional users and $35 a year seems reasonable to me for those of us who use the state parks regularly. NEMBA has a great relationship with the DEM and with Great Brook Farm in particular. I would be very surprised if they did anything that would adversely effect mountain bike usage because there is very little user conflict there compared to other places and I truly believe that they value our participation.

[HarlowJ]

Here is a link to the DEM web site which tells you about the $35 fee for MASS residents to park at MASS Parks

http://www.state.ma.us/dem/fees.htm

[EVIL BOTA]

If you don't want to pay .There are plenty of places to park away from the farm. So you just have to take the chance of getting caught! Since I'm not a big fan of g.b.f. (well except for keys loop) I will ride else where.