No, the trail does not need to be plowed and salted - especially salted. Salt is horrible for dogs, if there is a crack in their paw-pads, the salt BURNS! Let's not groom everything - the trail is one place where a dog owner knows their dogs' paws are safe!!

A quick plowing would seem to be so easy (and cheap)- just one quick sweep for the 3 mile length would take maybe 15 minutes at most, and would greatly shorten the downtime of the trail which is so heavily used.
Salt is somewhat unnecessary because the trail in winter gets quite a bit of mid-day sun which melts what's there, and also, salt quickly hastens the aging of the pavement underneath (as well as being a hazard for pets)

The history of this issue goes back to the first winter that the trail was formally in service. At that time the recommendation of the Parks Board was that the Trail is a Park not a sidewalk and as such should not be plowed. This decision was not based on cost but rather on the aesthetic and purpose of the trail. Additional consideration was given to the fact that salt or ice melt chemicals would be hardful to both the trail surface and the surrounding plants and that plowing, without the use of ice melt, would be more hazardous. As mentioned at the BoC meeting, the P&R Board had input from quite a few individuals who wished to use the trail for cross country skiing.

Just put up some warning signs warning about how it is not salted or plowed and to use it at your own risk. In our litigious society, it is only a matter of time before someone who slips on the ice sues everybody

The willows, skunk hollow and Valley Forge park are great places for cross country skiing. Plowing yes, De-icing materials no. These chemicals are harmful to trees and detrimental to the number of water ways which carry runoff from the trail. Think Trees!

Please plow it. I was there the other day after the light snow and there were several treacherous spots that made me walk as though i was walking on eggs. As for cross country skiing, i've not seen that in all the times i've been there shortly after snowfalls. Salt not necessary but plowing is.

No salt please.

Thanks to Susan Michaelson for bringing this to the commissioners. I hope they will reconsider and plow it. No Salt. See the meeting at www.youtube.com/jhainessr

I appreciate the opportunity to have gotten the discussion going.

My primary concern with regard to icy conditions on the Trail is safety for the many year-round users. The problem with doing nothing is that significant sections of the Trail just don't clear when the temperature stays in the 30s and below most of the time. Yesterday morning, for example, despite the warm up, the Trail was the worst I have experienced all season; even the shoulders were slick. The black ice is treacherous, and people ARE at risk. The usual polite smile and pass interactions among walkers got cozier as we were crammed together looking for traction, and all remarking on how dangerous it was.

Plowing would certainly help; so, too, would a green rated, pet-safe ice melt product, or sawdust, or similar.

My hope is that we can quickly devise and implement a plan to improve winter Trail safety in a way that is clean, cost effective, and works for most.

It would NOT take 15 minutes to plow. As someone who has plowed local businesses lots in Wayne the process takes alot longer than you might think. Also where would you like them to pile all the snow? if its on the sides then it will much of it will have to be done by hand as the truck needs a lot more room to push it.

I really have no opinion of plowing it, but remember the cost may be greater than the benefit. We don't get a great deal of snow so the few times that people are are unable to use the trail may not be worth the cost.

I walk the trail almost every day, but I would be opposed to plowing & salting, especially salting. The salt would destroy many of the plants, sicken the wildlife and cripple and possibly poison the dogs that walk there. Plowing just seems unnecessary--the trail might be treacherous for a handful of days out of the year. Maybe post some signs saying "Travel at your own risk--trail not plowed in winter".

No plowing and no salt (hurtful to dog paws). Not a smart use of Radnor tax dollars.

I recall the group of women that drove the creation of the trail stating many times at various Board meetings that the trail should not be plowed or salted. Their comments, I believe, were driven by ongoing maintenance costs of the trail and the fact that the trail is not a road or sidewalk.

Our regular using family of feet and paws would vote no plow and no salt, please.

Agree, plow yes. Salt, NO!

As a regular user of the trail, my vote is to plow! There are many stretches that don't get the sun and are treacherous to walkers. I vote to SKIP the salting or use a product that wouldn't be harmful to dogs.

My little Schnookums doesn't like snow or salt between his toe-pads and I don't like getting my boots wet. I've seen heated driveways. Would it be possible to heat the trail? I'd really like to be able to take a walk through the snow covered landscape without actually touching any snow or ice. Is that asking too much? This isn't Russia, it's Radnor!! Hey, how about treadmills in the township atrium?

Suggestion: You know that "Villanova problem" that some folks talk about? Well how about this. The about to be arrested individual has a choice...get thrown in jail immediately OR be assigned for 2 days of township community service, with no arrest.
Then hand them a shovel, drop them off on Radnor Chester and tell them "see ya at LaMaison".
Two problems solved: 1. Snow clearing of trail. No cost to citizens. 2. Arrest stats are lower due to person taking option B.
Woops, I forgot! You can't do that because.......

It's a real treat to be able to just walk from my home to an area to cross country ski when we do get snow. While this happens infrequently when it does occur I am reminded how fortunate I am to live in a place where I can not only enjoy biking walking and running but enjoy getting out in winter to do something that previous to the trail I would have had to drive to

Someone pointed out to me that you actually can't plow if you don't then salt--it would create a smoother, more hazardous surface. So it does not make sense to pursue this issue any further, except to post signs at all entrances telling folks to "travel at their own risk in inclement weather".