Fire pits, debris litter part of conservation area

About 100 acres of open land from Hope Street to Metacom Avenue on the northern end of town is lined with walking paths and foot bridges, designed to let residents experience wild nature in the middle of Bristol.

Unfortunately, some insist on using the land as their own private backyards, creating outdoor living rooms with plastic furniture and large fire pits, and carelessly leaving their trash behind for others to clean up.

The Perry Farm Conservation Area is a natural park in the north-central part of Bristol, containing nearly 100 acres of woodlands and trails that are open to the public. The town-owned property is most easily accessed from Jameson Drive off Metacom Avenue or from Elmwood Drive off Hope Street, where the Public Works Department has installed a pedestrian foot bridge to provide access. The department has also built a foot bridge over a stream in the conservation area, allowing full access even during the spring thaw.

A stroll through the area is an escape from the suburbs. Gone is any traffic noise or any evidence at all of the developed town ringing the woods. It’s a spot to get back in touch with nature, and even see some unexpected wildlife, like the giant owl that swooped over the heads of a small group touring the paths Monday afternoon and took up residence on a nearby branch to keep a close eye on the visitors.

The town acquired most of the land in 2010 and cleared the area of debris, including an old tent city that was populating a clearing in the woods. Town personnel maintains the land, keeping the walking paths accessible and periodically clearing brush, downed tree limbs and any litter left behind.

“The idea is that by opening it up and cleaning it up, people will come out and use it,” said Town Planner and Zoning Enforcement Officer Ed Tanner. “A lot of people don’t know about this here.”

Some do know about it and are creating a bit of a nuisance — and a potential safety hazard — for some neighbors, according to Bill Marshall, who lives on Elmwood Drive right at one of the entrances to the conservation area. Mr. Marshall said he often hears dirtbikes revving their engines (bicycles are allowed; motorized vehicles are not), and he finds debris including liquor bottles, wrappers, even a spoon he suspects is involved in drug use. Teenager often party in the woods on weekends, he said. In one case a couple weeks ago, police chased the teens out of the area, and some of them were so drunk their parents had to be called to pick them up, he said.

Of particular concern to Mr. Marshall are the numerous firepits that have been dug throughout the land. Some are elaborately created, lined with stone and furnished with outdoor chairs, tables and even a couch.

“I’m afraid of the fires. How are you going to get the trucks up here,” Mr. Marshall said. “I’m concerned with the drinking and the fires. If this thing goes up, we have houses here.”

Mr. Tanner and Conservation Commission Chairman Tony Morettini assured Mr. Marshall the town would be coming through within the week to clear up the debris and fill in the fiercest, which are not allowed on public land.

“We’ll knock in the fire pit, take the garbage out and the next time people come back they’ll say, ooh, OK,” Mr. Tanner said.

“It shows people we’re watching,” Mr. Morettini added. “There will be more eyes on it.”

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The town also plans to install signage on Elmwood Drive and on Metacom Avenue to mark the entrances to the park. Mr, Tanner said the town will consider including a “Sunrise to sunset” notation on the sign to deter midnight partiers. The town is also in the process of creating a trail map to direct hikers through the 100-plus acres. For more information, visit the Conservation Commission section of Bristol’s town website, www.bristolri.us.