Riverwalk: Ashland’s Green Pathway

Among the articles presented at Town Meeting on May 3 will be one with proposed enhancements for the Riverwalk Trail Project and an affiliated capital budget cost of $280,000. The project is being sponsored by the Ashland Open Space and Recreation Committee.
The Riverwalk is an existing wooded trail along the Sudbury River and north side of Mill Pond near the downtown district. Currently, trail access is restricted due to traffic safety hazards at and near the VFW and Marathon Park, private land ownership at the Mill Pond-end of the trail and limited parking and accessibility. Mill Pond Park is marginally accessible to people with disabilities, but no part of the trail is ADA-compliant.
“These enhancements are critically important and will greatly benefit our community,” Roberta Soolman, chair of the Ashland Open Space Committee explained. “The trail will extend pedestrian access to downtown and connect existing recreational areas which is a great way to promote physical activity and recreation by residents of all ages and abilities. We envision it an excellent location for nature lectures, outdoor science classes, observation of wildlife and overall enjoyment of the natural environment. The Riverwalk could also be one of the economic drivers to revitalize our downtown district.”
The four major enhancements planned include:
Handicap-accessible observation platform at the northwest end of Mill Pond, handicap-accessible parking and handicap-accessible trail to the observation platform from Ponderosa Road
Handicap-accessible pedestrian bridge crossing the Sudbury River from behind the VFW on Pleasant Street to the Ashland Fish and Game on Ponderosa Road and a trail extension from Marathon Park.
Trail improvements, including privacy screening behind homes along Sudbury Road, and creation of a spur trail from a proposed parking area at the Sudbury Road DPW secondary access point.
A large span pedestrian bridge across the Mill Pond inlet to Mill Pond Park providing direct access to the Bay Circuit Trail (a 200-mile regional trail extending from Duxbury to Kingston, Mass.) and Mill Pond Park.
“Overall, studies have shown the far-reaching benefits of trails,” Soolman added. “They promote healthy recreation and safe, multi-modal transportation including Safe Routes to School for our children, conservation and preservation of open space, an improved sense of community and connectivity, and educational opportunities like guided nature walks. Property values will increase as the Riverwalk will be a valued community amenity and overall, it will enhance the quality of life for all residents.”
With a total estimated project cost of $1.2 million, the Riverwalk enhancements may have to be completed in various phases, as funding becomes available.
Ashland’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has pledged a commitment of $300,000, pending an affirmative vote at Town Meeting. Other tentative funding sources, beyond the town’s capital budget investment, include $350,000 from the state’s economic development bond bill, “An Act to Provide Opportunities for All,” and a federal grant of $300,000 from the U.S. Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Once the CPC monies are in place, Soolman believes the first phase of enhancements will most likely be the development of the trail from Ponderosa Road (near the animal kennel) and creation of the handicap-accessible observation platform, trail and parking area. Committee members are anxious to see continued progress in reaching their goal of making Ashland a vital destination as a result of an enhanced Riverwalk.