MassDOT has moved barriers on Old Williamstown Road allowing for pedestrian access again

LANESBOROUGH, Mass.— The state has removed hard barriers on Old Williamstown Road, allowing strictly pedestrian use.

"The limited use of that stretch with no motorized access is now allowed, according to the Department of Transportation," Town Administrator Gina Dario told the Select Board on Monday.

"With the strong stipulation that should there be any further movement by any community member of the blockades that are in place and motorized access on that stretch that they would resume the installation of the hard barriers that would prevent any public access whatsoever."

The road has been closed to vehicles for decades but used for pedestrians, horseback riders, bicyclists, etc.  A couple of months ago, the state blocked it with jersey barriers.

Patty Barnaby, who lives on the road, started a Change.org petition in November that has garnered nearly 500 signatures. She and other residents went before the Select Board in December asking that it be restored for pedestrian use.

"This is a state-owned piece of property, I am aware of that just so that is known," she clarified at the December meeting.

"So the state had come in and fully barricaded off this road. It's a 0.5-mile section of road that you can get through on both ends and the barriers were placed on each side of the road and although I know that this was technically a closed, abandoned road, it was always accessible to many Lanesborough residents, along with many other people who would visit the area to be able to enjoy the road and now we are not able to do so and it's actually very disheartening that this has happened."

The Select Board has discussed the potential of Lanesborough taking ownership of the parcel, which Dario reported is still an option that would have to be voted on at the annual town meeting.

In the interim, she asked the MassDOT if they could open the road for pedestrian, non-motorized access, "And as I understand, they took it to their council and they have put up new signs showing that pedestrian access is now allowed."

"We can still consider what the town may choose to do should the Department of Transportation want to basically offload what is considered a non-active part of their portfolio," Dario said.

"That would have to go to annual town meeting for town endorsement and there would have to be further discussion about what kind of resources would be required."

Abutter William Drescher made a YouTube video to address the situation, outlining the road's origins and his experiences witnessing unauthorized use.

MassDOT discontinued the road about 40 years ago.

In 2024, Drescher said the existing blocks were pulled aside by unsupervised children on ATVs and side by sides. He also reported that people were trespassing on his property.

"For 35 years, my parents and many others have walked, ridden horses, driven carriages, or bikes along this bucolic path," he wrote in a letter to state Rep. John Barrett III.

"Since I moved back, I have seen children racing ATVs and mini bikes up and down it … and in my fields."

He brought concerns and video surveillance to MassDOT and, in early November, staggered jersey barriers and road-closed signs were installed to prevent vehicle access but allow pedestrians.

Drescher has expressed that it would be "wonderful" to see Mass Conservancy take ownership of that space, preserving it as the sanctuary it has been for people and wildlife since 1979.

"No one wanted the road closed to pedestrians, bicycles, or horses, least of all Musicwoods Farm and Willow Hollow who have cared for it for 47 years. The MassDOT's closure is about protecting the state's liability, public safety and preserving the historical and natural integrity of the state property," he wrote on the YouTube video.

"They were going to leave jersey barriers, but due to illegal activities, the state attorneys instructed MassDOT to use stricter measures."

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