LYNNFIELD — Three years ago, Michael Madden, a member of the Lynnfield High School cross country team and Troop 48 Boy Scouts, submitted a proposal to the Conservation Commission for the creation of a cross country trail in the Pine Hill Conservation Area.
Today, along with the cross country team, the trail aids the town’s runners and walkers, providing them with an ideal soft surface for practice and recreation.
Lynnfield High cross country coach Bill Wallace said that the trail has been beneficial for his players. Before the addition of the trail, Wallace’s team was the only one in the Cape Ann League that lacked access to soft surfaces for cross country practices.
“The grounds are relatively soft and we’ll do loops in the woods,” Wallace said. “It’s been a great experience because there’s not many places in Lynnfield to run on trails and get used to running on trails. It’s different than running on the road, and a lot of our away meets are on trails. So it’s good practice for that, too.”
According to Wallace, the trail allows the team to use different styles of running during practices.
“It has really helped us out in getting prepared to run some of these courses that are on trails around the Cape Ann League,” he added.
Wallace said that this season, the trail has helped the team beat the heat during practices.
“It’s been a great addition to our practices,” he said. “We use that as an interval type of practice. It’s been especially helpful this year because when it’s so hot, there’s a lot of shade over there.”
As the new season begins, Wallace is optimistic about his team and its ability to get positive results.
“The last couple of seasons, the team has made it all the way to the state championship,” he said. “This is a very difficult thing to do, especially for a small school, and we’re hoping to get a third straight entry to that meet, and the trail is certainly helping.”
