A new zipline and bumper cars are planned for next summer at Kimball Farm, but the town of Westford is examining how future visitors to the attractions will get there from their cars.
At the Planning Board’s July 21 meeting they took another step in the review process for those site plan changes that would add an estimated one percent increase in Kimball’s annual visitor tally.
Although the zip line and bumper boats will be located far inside the interior of the property, most of these projected changes will impact the area near the ice cream stand
According to reports given by consultant Kien Ho of the Beta Group, that entrance area has an average of .78 crashes per million cars, a rate higher than the state recommended average of .68 per million.
In particular, the board heard recommendations that would replace the two crosswalks bridging Route 110 with a centralized crosswalk that would have a “rectangular rapid flashing beacon” to help slow drivers along the area.
Consultants from the town as well as Kimball Farm also discussed other potential recommendations such more standardization of Kimball’s parking lots and changing the entranceway to the “Cruise Night” grass parking lot near Acorn Plaza.
An analysis of vehicle speed along Route 110 in front of Kimball’s was also approved 4-1 by the board, with Planning Board member Mike Green voting in opposition, citing the study as not critical to the overall site changes.
Plainclothes Westford Police officers have been on the site in the past to catch motorists potentially endangering pedestrians heading in and out of the area.
The Planning Board will continue its discussion regarding the proposed site changes on August 4.
A set of the submitted plans for the zip line and bumper cars are available on the town website.
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