JAY – About 35 people turned out Wednesday to hear about proposed improvements to town-owned recreation land, ask questions and give their opinions on what they would like to see there.

Rob Taylor, a Recreation Committee member, gave an overview on what is planned for the land behind the schools.

The nearly 200-acre plot includes school buildings, athletic fields, parking lots and other areas.

“There is a pretty extensive trail network that already exists,” Taylor said, and the Recreation Committee would like to see more trails added.

One idea is to make one existing trail for foot traffic only. There is also talk about adding a stroller loop, near the field hockey field, where people could take leisurely walks.

Cindy Bennett asked if the loop would be pet-friendly.

Taylor said one of the goals of the Recreation Committee is to make the trails as inclusive as possible.

The committee has to come up with a plan, which would go before selectmen for approval, Taylor said.

“It’s open to pets now. I don’t see that as an issue in the future,” he said.

Other proposals include a cross country ski trail, a sledding area and a long-range plan to build a manmade pond.

The next piece to the project is to have the land harvested. There is over-mature timber that would rot on the stump if it is not cut, Taylor said. The committee would like to see harvesting done this winter.

Taylor, who is also a teacher, received a $5,000 Project Learning Tree grant to develop school programs. Among the ideas proposed are a Christmas tree planting area for students to plant trees, take care of them throughout their school years and harvest in their senior year.

Other proposals are to refurbish the Project Adventure Course and expand it, monitor forest inventory growth by measurements and digital photography, and build a 12- by 12-foot butterfly garden.

One member of Webelos 1 Den of Cub Scout Pack 599 asked how much land would be cut. Forester Steve Gettle said about 40 percent of what is there. There are 155 acres of actual woodland acreage, Gettle said, and he anticipates 1,400 to 1,600 cords to be cut.

Other Webelos members added their ideas of putting in a nine-hole golf course, swimming pool, nature walk, go-carts, hockey rink, Outward Bound course, fishing pond and community center.

One person asked about hunting.

The law says firearms are not allowed to be discharged within 500 feet of school property, Taylor said. As it stands that prohibits hunting in a lot of areas. If school consolidation to unite the Jay and SAD 36 school systems passes in January, the school property line would be expanded and that would put about half the land off limits to hunting.

“The rest would be up to selectmen,” Taylor said.