Paved paths, picnic tables, better signage — here's what DCR plans for Sweets Knoll park

DIGHTON — Picture it: fall, sometime in the not-so-distant future. You’re taking a walk, enjoying the foliage, on a wide, paved trail, studded with historic sites, and peppered with benches where you can take a break and enjoy beautiful views of the Segreganset and Taunton rivers.

Those amenities, and more, are all being planned as part of the Sweets Knoll State Park improvement project.

On Sept. 22, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation presented its Sweets Knoll design concepts in a public Zoom meeting.

The meeting was hosted by some of the project’s managers: Amber Christoffersen, a projects and greenways manager at the Department of Conservation and Recreation; Dan Cushing, director of public engagement at DCR; and lead consultants Jennifer Relstab and Nate Kelly of Horsley Witten Group, a collaborative that specializes in sustainable designs.

They went over the changes that will be made to existing trails, the different amenities that will be added, and what the next steps in the design phase are going to be. They also held a short Q&A session.

And they’re taking community input on the design, too, until Oct. 6.

Here’s what DCR is planning for Sweets Knoll:

What is the Sweets Knoll improvement project?

This project is meant to improve a two-mile section of trails, including an abandoned rail bed, from Somerset Avenue to Sandpiper Way. The work includes Sweets Knoll State Park, wetlands and forested areas, and the Central Street crossing.

The goal is to create a shared-use path that everyone can enjoy.

This project ties into the larger Taunton River Trail project, which will be a regional connection between Fall River, Somerset, Dighton, and Taunton, consisting of 22 miles of on- and off-road trails, which will also intersect with the South Coast Bikeway.

While they are making improvements, the team is also focusing on preservation of what is already there.

Relstab noted that, after March’s public meeting discussing the Sweets Knoll plans, more than 60 people gave feedback on their online survey.

Since then, they have also made it a point to prioritize pedestrian access to Sweets Knoll State Park and the Taunton River.

Their project schedule has shifted slightly, due to the impact of snow cover earlier this year, but the next phase of the project, schematic design, will carry on through the end of 2022.

Permitting design is slated to begin in 2023. At the March meeting, then-project manager Gerald Autler, director of trails and greenways at DCR, estimated that, in an ideal scenario, construction could begin in 2024 and be completed within a year, or two at most.

DCR has grant funding for the project from the state, as well as federal grant funding that is covering a portion of the design and permitting process.

In the coming months, the Town of Dighton is also “going to be initiating a town-wide feasibility study of the connections to this trail, and the broader Taunton River Trails network,” Relstab said.

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Concept designs revealed for Sweets Knoll improvement

Using the findings from a typographic survey of the area, DCR presented their plans to improve accessibility on the trails, as well as offer more spaces for “pause moments”: these are moments where trail visitors can pause, and enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings.

The concept design is broken down into six areas: the south trailhead/parking area on Somerset Avenue; the Segreganset River bridge crossing; Sweets Knoll State Park; the Center Street crossing at Bristol County Agricultural High School; the Spratt Park/Town Hall connection; and the Sandpiper Way connection.

The Somerset Avenue parking area and areas at Spratt Park/Town Hall would serve as additional trailheads. Additional parking would be added to both areas, as well as improvements for ADA accessibility.

There are similar plans for Sweets Knoll State Park, including improving the trailhead there.

All designs are taking into consideration: existing historical and cultural areas, existing wetlands, and diamondback terrapin habitats. They are also taking local fishing enthusiasts into consideration, with plans for the abutments and pier near the Segreganset River, which will also serve as an overlook.

As to the pre- and post-Colonial historic significance of the area, Relstab said project managers are seeking input from local Native American tribes.

“There are ongoing conversations that we will have with local tribes to continue to the next phase of design, to coordinate the final path alignment and just confirm what else needs to be done to make sure that we’re being responsive and sensitive to the needs and desires of the local tribes.”

General concept designs aim to increase ADA accessibility, in addition to creating more spots where visitors can immerse themselves in their surroundings.

Concept designs include: a shared-use, accessible path; maximizing river views; using nature-based solutions for stormwater management as well as infrastructure and restoration; and to minimize encroachment into abutting properties.

Paths are planned to be 12 feet wide, and paved. DCR prefers asphalt for paving, but final selection of materials will happen at a later phase.

In addition to improving parking and trailheads, DCR is looking to add benches, wooden rail fencing, picnic tables, signage (both for directions, and educational purposes), bike parking posts, and gathering areas for educational programs, like at Sweets Knoll State Park. There will be bridges put in, and there may also be boardwalks installed in wet areas.

DCR also plans on improving access for EMS vehicles.

For stormwater management, they are considering bioretention (this removes pollutants and sedimentation from stormwater runoff), vegetation, and permeable pavers.

Other than improving accessibility, DCR has also been concentrating on “pause moments,” where visitors can most enjoy the spectacular views the trail offers.

“Over the last six months of being on site, through different seasonal conditions, different weather, we’ve noticed that there are a lot of different sites along the trail that provide these great views of the Taunton River, the Segreganset River … and we think that these opportunities as we go into the future are great for ‘pause moments,’ for overlooks, for educational opportunities, to really appreciate this wild and scenic river.”

Tell DCR what you’d like to see at Sweets Knoll

The presentation, much like the previous one in March, concluded with a Q&A portion, where residents could offer comments and concerns.

This time, concerns included how feasible it will be to access the trail at Sandpiper Way (currently the area is not easily accessible); what improvements could be made to the building at the trailhead at Sweets Knoll State Park (currently home to the Taunton River Watershed Alliance) as well as additional parking there; canoe/kayak access; and whether or not and what kind of bathroom facilities can be added along the trail or at trailheads.

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For the next two weeks, the public will have their chance to offer feedback, voice concerns, and ask questions about the project.

DCR will be in talks with the Town of Dighton over the next few months as well, as they move on to the next design phase. When that is complete, they plan to hold another public meeting.

Community members can voice their opinions at https://www.mass.gov/forms/dcr-public-comments from now until Oct. 6.

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: DCR unveils park improvement plans for Sweets Knoll in Dighton