Despite the dreary weather, attendees of the Minot Forest Committee’s dedication of three new trails on Saturday, June 17 were all smiles.

The trails, which were refurbished over the past year, are now officially open to the public.

All three trails are now looped and have been cleared, smoothed out and widened. There is also a new parking lot, as well as new maps, kiosks, benches and trail markers.

They are named for the late Marjorie Teitelbaum, Anne Campbell and Donald Hall, Wareham residents who were committed to preserving the town's natural resources. 

Attorney and former Select Board member Peter Teitelbaum, Marjorie’s son, cut the ceremonial ribbon. 

Teitelbaum said he felt proud to cut the ribbon — not only on behalf of his mother, but also for Campbell and Hall. 

“Something people might not know was that these people were all part of the Minot Forest Committee at the same time,” he said. “And in addition to that, they were great friends.”

Current Minot Forest Committee Chair Sandra Slavin explained the history of Minot Forest, including its acquisition and the formation of the first committee in 1951.

“The trails are absolutely beautiful,” she said. “Well-marked and maintained.”

Before now, Slavin said, people were at risk of getting lost on the trails. Once, Wareham Department of Natural Resources Director Garry Buckminster and another worker went on one of the trails and did not know how to get out.

Buckminster said that a $50,000 MassTrails grant, and $8,500 in Community Preservation Act funding, allowed his department to make necessary changes to the trails.

This funding paid for tools to help revitalize the area, including a Mini Bobcat skid-steer loader that Slavin jokingly called Buckminster’s “little toy.”

Teitelbaum said that in order to open up the trails, the organizations and agencies involved needed to make accessibility a priority.

By widening the paths, clearing roots and keeping up with maintenance, he said, everyone can access and enjoy the trails. 

Buckminister said the project as a whole was a “sound investment” and he is grateful to have been a part of making it happen.

Slavin encouraged everyone to check out the trails.

“Get out and use them,” she said. “They’re here.”