Mills to Miles Launches, Holliston Advances, $30K Approved
On Sunday, February 9th, the BVNEMBA chapter gathered for our Winter Chapter Meeting. The room filled with familiar faces and first-time attendees eager to connect over local trails. It’s these connections — people showing up to ride and build — that keep the chapter moving forward, even when snow blankets the trails.
Leadership Updates
The meeting opened with approval of fall minutes, quickly moved and passed. President Pat Drumm reminded members that chapter elections took place at the previous meeting, establishing the current leadership team. Looking ahead, the focus shifts to execution: supporting ongoing projects, improving accessibility, and building the next generation of riders. These three goals are highlighted in the 2026 Winter Chapter Meeting presentation deck, and expanded on below.
Finances & the Year Ahead
Treasurer Josh Handverger walked through the numbers. The chapter’s account balance has dropped to around $10,000 as of February 1st, down from $25,000 at the start of 2025. The decline reflects planned spending on trail work and equipment, but regional NEMBA remains behind on rebates and Best Dam Ride proceeds — roughly $14,000 owed. Once those payments arrive, the account should stabilize near $24,000.
Members unanimously approved the 2026 budget: $30,000 in planned spending, matched by expected income from rebates, donations, events, and $15,000 drawn from existing funds. The largest line items cover long-term projects in Holliston, Northborough, Millbury, and Vietnam ($13,000), plus equipment and tools ($5,000).
The chapter maintains a donation policy allocating 10% of annual revenue to community organizations and land managers.
For 2026, that totals $1,500: 75% to trail associations and land trusts, 25% to local nonprofits promoting cycling. Recommendations will be presented in November, with member input welcomed starting in September.
2026 Vision
Pat Drumm followed and outlined three priorities shaping the year from a leadership team perspective:
- Accessibility: Uniform signage, updated maps, and consistent kiosks across trail systems. The goal is easier onboarding for new riders and families — clear markers showing NEMBA’s stewardship role.
- Youth & Family Engagement: Expanding family-friendly programming and events. Skills parks, pump tracks, and youth-focused rides aim to grow the next generation and keep families involved without requiring separation from kids.
- Advocacy & Stewardship: Protecting existing trails, growing access responsibly, and maintaining strong relationships with land managers. Area reps continue to serve as front-line contacts, but leadership emphasized that stewardship is a shared effort.
State of the Trails
Trail updates covered nearly every active parcel in the chapter’s footprint:
Northborough
In Northborough as updated by Brian Belfer, work advances across three parcels. Barefoot Brook Woods, newly acquired two years ago, connects the Aqueduct Trail between Edmund Hill and Mount Pisgah. Three trail bridges secured funding to cross wetlands and link to DCR property. Adaptive trail rehab continues at Edmund Hill, adding curves and graded transitions to existing routes.
Douglas
Keevan Conservation Property (Douglas): Becky Callagher from the Douglas Open Space Committee presented plans for a 60-acre parcel sitting unused since 2016. The property holds a 451-foot trail easement and parking rights off Southeast Main Street. A Mass Trails grant application seeks funding to clear access, install a kiosk, and open existing trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. Phase two will address stream and wetland crossings requiring bridges up to 100 feet. Dense stone walls trace former agricultural use across the property.
Callahan
Callahan State Park: Fall boardwalk work drew positive community response, as mentioned by Barry Kosherick, including a $1,000 donation tied directly to the project. A spring bridge build will replace deteriorating pallet sections. DCR failed to deliver promised materials, so the chapter purchased lumber independently.
Millbury
Kyle Grendell outlined the most ambitious project in chapter history. Millbury partnered with IMBA to develop a master plan targeting five miles of new or improved machine-built trail. Total cost: $550,000. The analysis phase alone requires $50,000. Funding strategy includes a GoFundMe campaign (targeting $15,000), IMBA TAG Grant submission, and NEMBA Signature Grant application.
Mills to Miles | Millbury
Millbury is shifting from isolated fixes to a long-range trail plan. Mills to Miles is now in the IMBA master planning phase, focused on building or upgrading five miles of trail across town-owned networks.
The first step is a full trail analysis and concept plan at $50,000. Total build-out is estimated at $550,000. The near-term goal is to raise $15,000 to complete the analysis and unlock next steps.
Fundraising is underway through a public GoFundMe campaign. A community screening of Biketown at The Elm in Millbury is also planned, supported by IMBA and Freehub, with a 50/50 raffle to help move the project forward.
The 50-foot Stowe Meadows Bridge nears completion, locked out by snow until spring. Millbury Lions Club donated a crawler carrier valued at $3,500, delivered last month to move materials through wetland corridors. The Brierly/Chestnut Extension has been roughed in, awaiting final work once conditions clear. Three additional bridges are planned.
Community support extends beyond BVNEMBA. The Friends of Millbury Nature Trails nonprofit formed to diversify funding. The Elm Drafthouse in Millbury will host a fundraiser screening of “Biketown,” a film documenting trail development and land manager partnerships. IMBA’s executive director and trails development coordinator both backed the Mills to Miles vision. Philip Melbourne, IMBA’s president of philanthropy and a local resident, connected Grendell with the Boston Foundation.
Holliston
Vietnam
Vietnam (Holliston): The chapter had previously voted $4,000 toward continued feature construction, with a focus on medium and large jump lines that took shape largely through the efforts of volunteers and BVNEMBA members Kevin Keenan, Biagio Cautilli and previous president Mike Carvalho.
Medium features run as tabletops sized similarly to big features, creating progression pathways. The property draws riders nationally and remains NEMBA-owned, though Blackstone Valley serves as local steward. Regional NEMBA once funded Vietnam exclusively but lacks resources now.
Adopt-a-Trail returns this spring with structured training on permitted maintenance scope.
Holliston Bike Park
Holliston Bike Park: Mike Carvalho reported that the project shifted fully to town Parks & Recreation leadership. Fully detailed site plans define pump track, jump lines, and skills loop integrated with the rail trail. Engineering and permitting raised costs from $470,000 to $680,000 due to municipal bidding requirements. The Community Preservation Committee will review a $630,000 funding request this week.
Town meeting votes in May.
Holliston Bike Park
The Holliston Bike Park has moved out of concept and into formal execution. A fully engineered site plan is complete, with defined features, locations, and construction requirements tied to town approval and bidding processes.
The full build is estimated at $680,000, reflecting municipal construction standards and procurement rules. The town has committed funding capacity through Community Preservation channels, with Parks & Recreation now leading the construction application process.
A parallel community fundraising effort remains active to demonstrate local support and offset costs. Current planning targets construction following Town Meeting approval, with the intent to complete the park within the upcoming build season, pending final bids.
Community fundraising through GoFundMe reached $8,945 within six weeks, targeting $50,000 to demonstrate public backing. Average donations run high, mostly from recognizable NEMBA members. Mike continues outreach to PTOs, school committees, and non-riding families to broaden support. Local bike shops have been unresponsive, likely strained by ongoing industry economics.
If approved, construction could begin immediately after May town meeting. Avid Trails, the preferred vendor, promises completion within two to three months. The goal: opening by summer before school resumes and Celebrate Holliston.
West Hill Dam
West Hill Dam: Biagio Cautilli updated winter grooming efforts. Snowshoeing and snow dog runs packed miles of trail, though dry snow resists compaction. Warm weather may improve conditions.
Adaptive trail work remains on hold due to time constraints. Signage defining trail ratings and pinch points awaits volunteer bandwidth. Small adaptations — bench cuts, rerouted turns around obstacles — require planning to accommodate three-wheeled adaptive bikes that handle off-camber differently than two-wheeled machines.
Hotel trail reroute stays on the wishlist, unfunded and unscheduled.
Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Ron Woodall confirmed parking lot renovation plans: full resurfacing from entrance to dam crest, plus expansion into cleared areas. Estimated cost sits at $1.2 million. Contracts could hit the street in April if bids come in under $1.4 million. Work may close sections for a week, though riders typically find alternate access.
Ron thanked volunteers for snow grooming and asked for advance notice on any night activities.
Looking Ahead: Events & Rides
Winterräden
Winterräden: February 22, 9 AM: Chris Nichols hosts the annual fat bike event at Zigzag Trails in Uxbridge. Miles of groomed trail and shenanigans. BVNEMBA will staff an information tent, though volunteers are welcome to ride rather than table-sit. The chapter donated funds to support the event. You can register HERE.
Register at bikereg.com/winterraden.
Donations of pallets accepted at Henry Street in Uxbridge — 75 pallets collected so far, targeting 150. Heckling groups, snowballs, and pool noodles part of tradition.
Beginning Bridges
Beginning Bridges: March 28 in Whitinsville. BVNEMBA representatives will distribute stickers and keychains, answer trail questions. Bike donations needed!
Spring Social Ride
Spring Social — TBD (April): Location under review. Douglas and Millbury remain under consideration, with Millbury offering chance to showcase recent work. Parking logistics need confirmation.
Fruit Street Farm in Holliston suggested for family-friendly accessibility. April timing avoids Easter conflicts and frozen ground. The chapter expects roughly 100 riders.
Group Rides
Nobscot Friday Morning rides continue when conditions allow.
The VVinter Blackstone ride series runs through the Spring Equinox.
New Business
Project proposals now route through a standardized request form distributed by leadership. The form asks critical questions, including land manager approval status. Leadership reviews requests collectively to allocate funds strategically rather than first-come distribution. Members should contact leadership or email blackstonevalley@nemba.org for form access.
Adopt-A-Trail
Adopt-a-Trail will relaunch with educational components defining permitted work scope. Past iterations at Vietnam lacked clarity on what volunteers could and couldn’t do. This year’s program will train participants before assignments, focusing on basic maintenance like clearing eye-level branches without unauthorized trail modifications.
Wrapping Up
The meeting adjourned after nearly two hours, with members energized despite snow-covered trails. From IMBA partnerships and municipal approvals to bridge builds and feature progression, the chapter’s ambition remains disproportionate to its size. But that ambition rests on community, where and when people are showing up and pitching in.
Thanks to everyone who came out. Our next meeting on May 11, 2026.
