The Town of Lakeville Open Space Committee opened its Dec. 4 meeting by beginning work on a townwide hiking-trails initiative intended to connect several existing sites, Chair David Zolonis said.

Committee members identified four priority locations — Ted Williams Camp, Betty’s Neck, Vigors and Clearpond — and discussed how to move from site visits to a formal plan that the conservation commission will review. Nancy Yates of the conservation commission attended as a guest. Zolonis said Melissa and Lehi are leading the committee’s trail planning effort.

Why it matters: The project aims to create clearer, safer routing and public information for residents while protecting sensitive habitat and neighboring property. Members emphasized that trail routing must avoid private backyards and steep or eroding cliff edges, and that clear signage and kiosks will be essential to reduce trespass and safety problems.

Committee members described two complementary approaches to wayfinding: painted blazes on trees and more durable markers on posts or kiosks. Speaker 2, who has overseen blazing at Betty’s Neck, recommended aluminum markers or posts to avoid damaging trees and noted a successful volunteer model that used Boy Scout crews for blaze maintenance. “If you paint the blazes on the trees, after a while, the bark falls off or they fade,” the member said, urging posts or aluminum markers for longevity.

Members agreed the committee should prepare a simple, written plan for each site before seeking conservation commission sign-off. That plan should include: defined trail routes on town property, a maintenance schedule staffed by volunteers or events, kiosk map content, and phone/contact information for trail concerns. The committee asked Speaker 2 to provide existing map files and sample signage language that could be posted on the town’s website and at kiosks.

Next steps: The committee will produce site-specific plans and bring them to the conservation commission for approval and to the town website for resident access. Members also flagged the need to coordinate with the highway department for large-tree removal and with the town administrator when funding is required.