MAY 5, 2005
PEABODY & LYNNFIELD WEEKLY NEWS
by Bella Travaglini
Editor, Meadow Views, Reedy Meadow Foundation
LYNNFIELD -- Local residents filled the Old Lynnfield Meeting House on the Lynnfield Commons on Thursday, April 21 for a public presentation on rails-to-trails conversion of abandoned railroad tracks that run from Wakefield to Lynnfield through Reedy Meadow.
Sponsored by the Reedy Meadow Foundation and hosted by Lynnfield and Wakefield's Rails-to-Trails and Recreational Path Committees, the production by expert and nationally known speaker Craig Della Penna showcased success stories and the communal value of smart growth development and rails-to-trails programs throughout New England and abroad.
Both communities have been consulting with the Northampton native and drawing on his extensive knowledge in abandoned railroad track conversion as part of an expansive effort to resurrect the 550-acre Reedy Meadow and the 3.5 miles of railroad tracks that run between.
Founders of the Reedy Meadow Foundation foresee the development of Reedy Meadow into a recreational destination with paths for biking, running, and walking as well as an educational wildlife habitat.
Acquiring the rights of way for the abandoned tracks from the MBTA, owners of the track, is the first step toward that goal.
Della Penna detailed a variety of construction choices, which have been used successfully in other locations. He refers to abandoned tracks as "nuggets and jewels" ripe for conversion.
According to Della Penna and contrary to some opponents' views, these "dead corridor" conversions to public pathways increase assessed property values.
In Lynnfield, the proposed path will provide a connective corridor for students who choose to walk to school since the tracks run from Route 128 behind the Middle School, across Summer Street to the High School and into Peabody. Additionally, pedestrian travel between Lynn-field and Wakefield will be provided.
Some federal and state funding is available, but requires local backing.
Della Penna admits the majority of funding would have to come from donations. On average, a rails-to-trail conversion runs $300,000 per mile for a stone-dust path.
The project could take up to ten years and will require the dedication and support of the community says Della Penna. However, the benefits for the community are boundless he says.
Participating in the presentation were Reedy Meadow Executive Director Ken Rowland, Lynnfield Historical Society Chair Donald Harriss, Lynnfield Recreation Path Chair Dick Simmons, and Wakefield Rail Trail Committee Chair Kevin Scott.