70 years? A blink of the eye in time and they want to "honor" that particular blink forever? I don't get it.

Finally !

Westford Woods, because it now is part of Westford for Westford public recreation. Identify it as such!

Did anyone suggest to put a sign under the East Boston Camps Sign saying something along the lines of "Westford Conservation Land open to the Public", or "Conservation Land managed by the Town of Westford". That seem like it would clear up the confusion and be an easier solution than renaming the property, renaming the committees that manage it, etc.

The Camps are a pretty identifiable feature of the property just like the pond is at Grassy Pond. It distinguishes it from the other conservation lands in town, meaning that even if it is renamed, people are probably going to still refer to it as East Boston Camps.

Boonstra doesn't want to rename it because it sounds like a development of McMansions. What a snobby elitist to knock those whom lived in a named development! At least he realizes it needs to be clearer that it is Westford property. Perhaps he can provide some examples that are less Mcdevelopment.

.... maybe Boonstra would go for Westford Camps. That doesn't sound like a development and pays homage to the history.

I suggest that all you name change folks show at TM. The "Friends" have already sent out their "stop the evil empire email" to their followers. This combined with the straw hats and their forces will make this seemingly simple thing very hard to get through.

Sounds like the "friends" of the rail trail are similar to these "friends". The rail trail "friends" are insistent upon putting parking in our residential neighborhoods when the extension and associated parking in Acton's industrial area will be built in short order.

Bam! You got it and they will not stop until they get their way.

The so-called freinds of east boston camps want to raffle off naming rights to one or more of the trails in Westford Woods. I heard the bidding starts at $1000. Maybe a "McKay's Hardware Trail" or an "Ernie Boch West Trail". For them to harp on 70 years of tradition to justify holding on to the EBC name is a bit hypocritical on their part.

I would rather see the sign reflect Westford ownership and unrestricted access so there will be no confusion to people who are new to Westford.

How about:

Privatized Town Camps
Only in Westford Woods
Holiday Trees
The New Nashua Camps
Cameron Six Mil Sticks
WA Red Solo Camps

If it ain't broke, fix it.

Voters...marketing 101. If you name it Westford woods it sounds like a development...and some may buy into it. Bad name...bad idea. One will buy and profit just from a marketing game. My friend 7 feathers was talking to me . he lives in Westford and is very quiet on the subject. He made it clear east Boston camps, nor Westford woods is the right name... algonquin is. The true ambassadors of the land!

Algonquin woods...is the right name. Who could argue?

I have this thing - it's hard to describe; but whenever I kick it I always break my foot. You have this thing - that you can't really describe either; and whenever you punch it, you break your hand. I call it a foot breaker, you call it a hand hurter. What's it matter it's still just a rock.

I'm new to the town, moved here just a few years ago. Already I have been welcomed by the warmth of this town. One of the things that warms the cockles of my heart is driving past that lovely hand carved sign every day.

So I'd be remiss if I at least didn't say this - East Boston Camps or simply the camps has a meaning, is (kind of) descriptive of its (former) use and of its location. Westford Woods - is something generic and brand-able; what is it? that old folks home across the street from corner stone? no no no it's that new development over by Laughton Farms...No it's that wood workers craft store going in where the Blockbuster used to be. No - it's that place we want leaf peepers to go and spend a lazy fall day, where we'll hawk tee shirts and coffee cups and sell cider donuts and hot coco. I'm willing to be, someone where already has a logo picked out for it too.

The short of it comes down to this would you rename Granetville, forge village, or Nabnasset? Then why this?

Westford woods sounds like a building project. I have always known it to be what it is today, EBC. And we have spent to much time and energy on a name change....so many other challenges in this town. If we must Push for the the name of the original tribe that had the land first...if not if its not broken. Some in the town need to make the name more "ritzy".....no need, just walk the paths and be happy we have them!

One recommendation -- if the goal here is to drive more use of East Boston Camps, it would be smart to look at the usage policies for the site as well. While the site is open to individual use for hiking, I've found it is almost impossible to ever use EBC for any larger groups in town. This is a huge site that once had three separate "camps" operating on site -- yet only one group is allowed to have a function on site at a given time? I understand we're looking to summer camp rental for added revenue, and the camp runs events of their own for Friends of EBC and the town events. That leaves no opportunity for the town's clubs, organizations, neighborhood groups, etc. to hold events. Knowing we have a limited number of summer weekends to leverage the site, lets consider how to open up use of multiple areas in the EBC at the same time.

I have no opinion for or against the name change... to me a name is just a name. But I'd love to see greater flexibility in letting more groups in town use the space. I know several groups in town have been told there is no availability this summer at EBC.