Chebacco Woods offers 365 acres of protected land, including hiking trails.

The Hamilton Community Preservation Committee initiated the Chebacco Woods Trail Restoration Project last June. The project was funded with $25,000 from the Hamilton Community Preservation Act and a $50,000 grant from the commonwealth.

Gordon College donated an in-kind contribution. Ralph Smith, chairman of Chebacco Woods Land Management Committee, said Gordon College’s in-kind contribution is worth an estimated $8,000 to $9,000.

Smith said $15,000 was used to survey the property, determine the boundary lines and assess the wetlands. The remaining $35,000 is being applied to the trail restoration project.

The project agenda included rerouting the White Dot Trail. Stendahl Tree Service cut a new section of trees to reroute the White Dot Trail out of an intermittent stream, reducing erosion.

“The White Dot trail is bordered on both sides by wetlands,” Smith said. “Diverting the trail would be expensive and not guaranteed to work. The new section of the trail parallels the old section.”

Smith said the length of the White Dot Trail remains the same. The goal of improving the White Dot Trail is to make the western section of the woods accessible year round for passive recreation.

“We want to make the trails more accessible for everyone, including handicapped and elderly visitors,” Smith said. “We want to improve the environmental significance of (Chebacco Woods). The area is a huge asset to the community.”

Beverly resident Kim Bolognese said she hikes through eight miles of Chebacco Woods every day. Bolognese discourages any changes to the wooded area.

“If people step in and start changing the woods their efforts become invasive,” Bolognese said. “The only necessary change is to have more rules pertaining to aggressive dogs. The philosophy of the woods should be to enjoy and tread lightly.”

Hamilton resident Christa Mente said she hikes in Chebacco Woods regularly. Mente said the trail map should be updated to alleviate hikers’ confusion on the trails.

Smith said hikers and bikers venture off the trails to avoid mud.

“The unintended consequence of going off the trails exacerbates erosion,” Smith said.

The increased erosion was threatening the Manchester water supply. Smith said 60 to 80 percent of Manchester’s water supply is bordered by Chebacco Woods.

CPA funding allows for community housing, open space protection, historic preservation and recreation. In 2005 voters opted for CPA, whose funding is allocated from a two percent property tax surcharge.

Smith said the Hamilton Conservation Commission has encouraged trail maintenance to be halted until the drier summer months. Weather dependency has interfered with a projected completion date for the Chebacco Woods Trail Restoration Project.

“Anyone from Hamilton or Wenham who hasn’t been out (in Chebacco Woods) needs to get out and experience it,” Smith said.