Bring Raceway back to what it was

Recently I was featured in an article focused on my dismay over the rundown condition of the Raceway Woods trail system and the fields surrounding the picnic and rest areas. To restate my position, I along with many others, only want the Raceway to return to the restored condition of a few years ago.

The Raceway was a source of community pride and being used heavily by the community. Our community had a well-maintained trail system that was teeming with families using strollers and bikes, runners choosing its soft paths to stay in condition, and nostalgic racetrack walkers returning to visit a memory of their youth. That has all changed.

Once the wide-path system was safe to use and unencumbered. Now weeds are choking and narrowing the paths to single file use and at places altogether impassable.

In the past two years the original concept plan has lost its compass. We had something wonderful. The concept plan called for a trail system, which was developed. It also called for removal of invasive species. All of this was accomplished or ongoing until the summer of 2009.

From my property, it was a joy to see active families using the fields for picnicking and recreation on the mowed hillside. People of all ages were seen sitting on the beautiful handmade benches overlooking the property below. One is even dedicated to my deceased husband, Dale.

The change of policy in 2009 has caused the downward spiral of maintenance and attention once given to the Raceway Woods. Many of us, myself included, want to see the return of a clean, safe, maintained trail system with mowed field areas for family recreation.

Elaine Rathjen

Dundee