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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK CONIMISSION <br /> MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 6, 1995 <br /> (#6 -Luce Line Proposal - Continued) <br /> The Commissiotters said they had heard from many citizens and the consensus was to keep <br /> the trail limestone. <br /> McDermott said the benefits of the position taken by the Park Commission should be <br /> noted. <br /> White said he would like to maintain the feel of the trail as it is now. <br /> McDermott said, over time, paving of the trail would be cheaper for maintenance. <br /> McMillan said the fatal flaw with paving is the elimination of use by cross-country skiers. <br /> She noted the paving would go against the rural philosophy of Orono and would eliminate <br /> the soft surface used by joggers. <br /> Flint said we need to distinguish why we are paving our other trails. It was noted that the <br /> reason was because the �rono trails follow transportatian corridors. McMillan noted that <br /> by being a railroad bed, the Luce Line has a very good base. She said the newly <br /> constructed Orono trails go over drainage areas that are better suited by a paved trail. <br /> Other benefits for limestone trail or problems with paving w�re noted. The main use of <br /> the Luce Line was by walkers and people walking their dogs. Paving would increase the <br /> danger with use by high speed roller bladers and bikers. It would also change the use and <br /> feel of the trail. The hi�h drop offs were also noted. <br /> Ilse said she was worried that if paving was done, another walking trail would be desired <br /> which would result in the loss of the horse trail. McDermott said he felt the horse trail <br /> would be lost eventually anyway. <br /> Howells said he felt the paving would benefit outlying communities like Watertown. <br /> Wilson moved, McMillan seconded, to recommend the Luce Line remain as a limestone <br /> base. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 1, McDermott, Abstain l, Howells. The Council will be asked <br /> if they would care to be involved in this issue and whether they would approve the <br /> involvement of the Park Commission. <br /> White noted that the trail from Hopkins to Victoria, which follows an abandoned railroad, <br /> is not paved. <br /> McMillan said the Luce Line has been there for many years, adding it would be different if <br /> the trail were new. <br /> 9 <br />