Metro Boston Regional Trails and Greenway Summit

The Rails to Trails Conservancy has assisted communities throughout the US in developing hundreds of rail trails.  With the completion of many of these trails, particularly in urban areas, interest is rising to connect the disparate trails into a complete network of greenways.  The Boston region, led by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and Livable Streets Alliance with numerous other partners, is working toward once such vision, to develop a regional “GreenRoutes” network.

The MAPC and RTC have partnered to present a two day Metro Boston Greenway Summit on December 11 and 12.  This summit will provide the opportunity for the RTC to meet with communities and trail groups throughout the region.  Key components to the summit include:

-          Technical assistance to the communities regarding trail initiation, funding, and development

-          RTC will provide an update of the future of federal trail policy and funding and share practices from other cities around the nation and MAP21

-          Workshop to strategize on developing a vision for a regional greenway and trail system (GreenRoutes) throughout metro Boston.

-          Field visits to regional trail projects. 

Agenda

Tuesday December 11

10:30 - 12:00       Seminar on national trail development, policy, and funding.  This meeting will focus on federal legislation related to trail development, as well the status of rail trail development regionally and nationally.  Kevin Mills, RTC Vice President for policy , will provide an update on federal issues related to trail development including MAP21.   RTC will also present examples of their trail development projects.  Open discussion will follow.  Communities interested in developing new trails are especially urged to attend.  (MAPC 3^rd floor conference room)

12:00 - 12:30       Travel to Malden.  (15 min to Malden via the Orange Line accross from MAPC offices)

12:30 - 1:30         Lunch in Malden at a FuLoon Restaurant (Chinese buffet), 375 Main St (2 blocks north of the trail, several blocks east of the Malden T station).

1:30- 3:30             Walking tour of a section of the new Northern Strand Trail from Malden to Wellington Station (Depart from just outside FuLoon at 375 Main St several blocks east of the Malden T).  The Northern Strand Trail project highlights the opportunity for communities to develop trails at a relatively low cost and quick timeline using the value of the steel in the rails.  Additionally the focus of this walk will be to view not only new trail construction but to see one example of a key gap in our regional trail system between this trail and the Mystic River paths, and the upcoming projects that have the potential to close the gaps.

4:00 – 6:00           GreenRoutes working session on mapping a regional vision.  GreenRoutes is a proposed connected high quality cycling and walking network encompassing metro Boston.   A coordinating committee lead by the Livable Streets Alliance and MAPC along with a number of advocacy groups and public officials has been meeting periodically for a year or so to develop a vision plan and implementation plan.   The focus of this meeting is to learn about the existing trail networks in the region, so see how they can potentially connect to each other with key projects, and to review and provided detailed input on a proposed map.  We will break out into smaller groups  to look at sections of region to review and discuss in greater detail.    (MAPC) 3^rd floor conference room)

Wednesday December 12

Trail site visits.  The Rails to Trails Conservancy is interested in conducting site visits and meeting with trail groups around the region.  This is an opportunity to help move trail projects forward.  Site visits are planned as follows and all are welcome to join in.  Please provide your own transportation to these locations.  Dress for walking in the woods.

8:00 -    Proposed Needham/Newton Greenway walking tour.  Meet at Depot Café in Newton (1225 Chestnut St, Newton) – Focus on trail development including the Charles River connections and crossing of I-95. (Tom Connors)

9:30 -    Proposed Bay Colony Rail Trail walking tour.   Meet at Needham Junction Train Station (Junction St off Chestnut St) (Tad Staley)

11:00 – Proposed Dedham Greenway walking tour.  Meet at Avery School (336 High St,, though enter parking lot from Whiting Ave side) in Dedham.  Walk with town officials to Dedham Square (Virginia LeClair)

12:30 – Lunch (on your own) in Dedham Square

2:00 –   Somerville Community Path bicycle tour.  Departing from 7 Hills Park in Davis Sq (at the west Red Line station headhouse). .  Please bring your own bike as we ride along the proposed route of the path, outlining key challenges. Continuing along the Grand Junction Path in Cambridge if time permits.  (Alan Moore)

 

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