With Phase 2 construction of the Milford Upper Charles Trail on schedule for a September 2011 completion, and the final phase in design, supporters are focusing on how best to maintain the recreational asset while making it widely accessible.

The Milford portion of the trail, part of an ambitious regional plan to connect five communities, opened to bikers, runners, walkers and inline skaters three years ago. The $3.5 million Phase 2 is on schedule to be completed in less than a year. This milestone has some eagerly looking ahead to the finished product, which will include a link downtown.

The full, 27-mile trail will run through Milford, Sherborn, Holliston, Framingham and Hopkinton. When finished, Milford's portion will be 6.4 miles.

"We've been at this for more than 12 years," said Reno DeLuzio, chairman of the Upper Charles Trail Committee. "We're almost to the point where it's time to start thinking about turning the completed trail over to the Friends group. That has been the plan all along."

The Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail is a volunteer group that supports the trail and helps with maintenance and cleanup. The Friends have planned a cleanup for 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. The focus is on removing leaves, acorns and other debris from the trail, as well as upkeep on bird houses near the path. Volunteers will gather at the Fino Field parking lot. The committee will provide gloves and bags for trash pickup and is encouraging volunteers to bring rakes, brooms and leaf blowers.

One of the Friends' goals is to enhance the trail's handicap accessibility. While all but one section of the trail complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are other considerations, noted Nancy Wojick, secretary for the Friends. 
For example, the group learned during a recent meeting with the Committee on Disabilities that the trail could benefit from guideposts to help blind users find nearby benches. Meanwhile, a section near Louisa Lake poses a risk, as it lacks a fence or rail.

"The primary role of the Friends is to provide support to the Parks Department in maintenance issues," Wojick said. "As we anticipate the completion of Phase 2 and the doubling of the length of the trail, there is much discussion about how best to accomplish this."

Phase 1 of the trail is 2.8 miles, while the in-progress Phase 2 is about 3 miles.

Even as construction continues on Phase 2, which is being funded through the state's Transportation Improvement Program, officials are designing Phase 3, which includes the link downtown. The trail committee hopes the final phase could be completed through in-kind donations from a developer, or with financial support from the community.

One potential complication for Phase 3 is a wetlands area along the former railroad right-of-way where the trail will run. Supporters are optimistic that hurdle can be overcome, however, and to keep the third phase moving forward, the committee is sponsoring a Special Town Meeting article requesting $40,000 for environmental design. A local developer may be willing to perform some of the work as a community project, DeLuzio said, but the plan would have to be largely in place first.

"I recognize that it might be a hard sell in these times, but spending $40,000 to get $400,000 to $500,000 worth of work seems like a good investment to me," DeLuzio said.