First, the muckety-muck State-level officials did their jobs. The suits showed up last month at the Rte. 30 bridge that spans Rte. 9, speechified, cut a pretty ribbon, and voila—the Cochituate Rail Trail was officially open.
Next, it was time for the locals to party. At the Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT) Community Celebration last week, community members and civic groups got together on the part of the 4-mile trail that runs in front of Amvets Post 79 to bask in the glory of a project that keeps moving forward. (The crowd thanks your bathrooms for their service, Amvets)
The CRT is a multi-use trail that runs from Saxonville in Framingham to Natick Center. The Natick segment officially opened in late September and currently terminates at Whitney Field at the Navy Yard. But it’s not done yet. The next step is to extend the trail from the Navy Yard to the MBTA commuter rail station in Natick Center.
At the celebration, sponsored by the Solomon Foundation, several organizations set up along the trail, and there was a brief speaking program.
Here are some pics:
It’s not a party without ice cream. Matthew Gioia from Wally’s Ice Cream, based in Auburndale, brought the fun. He says Pumpkin Oreo is a big seller right now. But our money was no good on the trail—the treats were all on Matthew.
Members of Save Lake Cochituate (SOLA), a group dedicated to the renewal and revitalization of Cochituate State Park. From left: Carole Berkowitz; Brian McPherson; Carolyn McPherson
Natick Trails supporters, from left, Town of Natick Conservation Agent and Open Space Planner Claire Rundelli; President of Friends of Natick Trails, Gary Pease; Chair of CRT Advisory and a precinct 6 Town Meeting Member, Josh Ostroff.
Metrowest Free Medical Program provides medical care to uninsured and underinsured patients in the MetroWest area. From left, interpreter Natalia, and nurse practitioner Sandra.
The old Wonder Bread factory may have closed in the late 1990s, but I can still smell the bread baking.
If there was a best-dressed award at the event, these two would have won, hands down.Happy trails to you
If you haven’t checked out the Cochituate Rail Trail yet, a nice access point is the parking lot at Navy Yard Field, 41 Washington Ave., Natick. Parking is also available at or near Home Depot on Route 30.
MORE:
Zipping over Route 30 on the Cochituate Rail Trail
Cochituate Trail ribbon cutting
