The unique conversion of abandoned railroad tracks, and the blending of those mosaics for a scenic recreational corridor -- through Wakefield and Lynnfield -- will be the topic of a public presentation Thursday evening, April 21, at the Old Lynnfield Meeting House, Lynnfield Commons. The event, co-hosted by the Rails-to-Trails and Recreational Path committees of their respective communities, under the sponsorship of the ReedyMeadow™ Foundation, will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is free to the public.
Craig Della Penna, a nationally known lecturer, motivational speaker, and authority on the conversion of “forgotten or hidden lands into treasured places” will discuss the communal value of “smart growth development and rails-to-trails programs”. In 2002, THE RIDE magazine named Della Penna “the most effective advocate for bike and rail-to-trail conversion issues on the eastern seaboard”.
Both Lynnfield and Wakefield communities will benefit from Della Penna’s extensive knowledge on the topic. The two communities hold ‘vested value’ in the next generational use for railroad rights of way.
Della Penna is the author of four books and numerous op-ed/guest editorials on the value of varied smart growth issues. Having given over 500 lectures in 16 states and Canadian provinces, he is one of the country’s more dynamic advocates on the community development aspect of rail-trails, and their leveraging of small public dollar amounts for the gentle rejuvenation of those hidden treasures; land corridors for residential, recreational enjoyment.
From 1998-2004, Della Penna worked for the Washington based, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as their New England Field Representative focusing on the smart-growth legislative issue. For 20 years he operated New England’s largest, most successful railroad trans-loading facility, Railroad Distribution Services.
A Northhampton, Massachusetts Realtor®, Della Penna specializes in antique/historic homes and homes near to rail-trails or other greenways. With his wife Kathleen, he also operates Sugar Maple Trailside Inn, an 1865, bed & breakfast located in Northampton. This award winning restoration was featured on HGTV’s Restore America and the Boston Globe's Travel page. It sits just eight-feet away from southern New England’s first municipally built and operated rail trail, the City of Northampton Bikeway. He is also the founder/principal of Northeast Greenway Solutions, a consulting firm working to bring cogent solutions to communities developing rail trails. NEGS collaborates with other non-profits, engineering companies, communities or grass roots trails organizations to assist in their development.
For additional source material please contact:
Ken Rowland, Executive Director,
kdr4@adelphia.net,
(781) 254-5609
Emmett Halpin, Vice Chairman,
emmetthalpin@comcast.net
(781) 246-5268;
Dick Simmons, Chairman,
Lobpine1@comcast.net
(781) 334-7003.
www.craigdp.com
www.greenwaysolutions.org