Friends of the Community Path

Friends of the
Community Path
112 Belmont St., #2
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 776-7769
friendspath@yahoo.com

"To Lechmere ... and beyond!!"
What the future of the path can be!

More than a Bicycle Path

The City of Somerville has completed the 1st step - producing a feasibility study for the Community Path. Back in fall of 2000, the city hired Rizzo Associates to identify potential bike routes from Cedar St. to Lechmere, with active support from the Somerville Bicycle Committee. But public meetings soon made it clear that this project can be much more than a bicycle path. Like the Minuteman/ Linear Park, this project could have playgrounds, benches, and gardens - to create a Community Path for all. Rizzo's May 2001 feasibility study proposes rough plans for an easy-access Community Path. The recommended plan calls for a path running safely alongside and above the cut of the MBTA's railroad corridor. In general the path is proposed for the top of the bank at the side of the tracks, well out of the way of trains.

What's left is to design and construct the Community Path. This depends on public support!

Finding Design Funds
The cost of designing the Community Path is about $130,000. Due to strong local support, the City of Somerville has already pledged $30,000 for path design.
In May of 2001, Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay asked Massachusetts Senate leaders to appropriate the needed design funds in the state's annual budget, without success. So what now?
The Friends of the Community Path aim to raise the other $100,000 for Community Path design. We've got $65,000 so far.

Reaching the Goal: Path Building

Community Path construction will require funding. We expect:

Federal funds to cover ~80% of the estimated $1.55 million construction costs, and
State funds to cover the remaining ~20% of the costs for construction.

Making it Happen
To make the Community Path extension from the Minuteman to Lechmere a reality, the Friends of the Community Path are:

Providing information and outreach to walkers, runners, rollers, businesses, organizers, neighbors, schools, and other stakeholders.
Garnering support from political leaders and the MBTA
Seeking funding sources for path design and construction

What You Can Do:

Stay informed - Use this Web site, get on our e-mail list
Support us in word and deed - Make phone calls, write to political leaders, and talk to friends, singing out your support for the path -- especially when we ask for your help.
Back us with your donations - We invite your contributions to defray the costs of mail campaigns, printing, etc.
Join our Action Group!


	Friends of the Community Path 112 Belmont St., #2 Somerville, MA 02143 (617) 776-7769 friendspath@yahoo.com		"To Lechmere ... and beyond!!" More than a Bicycle Path The City of Somerville has completed the 1st step - producing a feasibility study for the Community Path. Back in fall of 2000, the city hired Rizzo Associates to identify potential bike routes from Cedar St. to Lechmere, with active support from the Somerville Bicycle Committee. But public meetings soon made it clear that this project can be much more than a bicycle path. Like the Minuteman/ Linear Park, this project could have playgrounds, benches, and gardens - to create a Community Path for all. Rizzo's May 2001 feasibility study proposes rough plans for an easy-access Community Path. The recommended plan calls for a path running safely alongside and above the cut of the MBTA's railroad corridor. In general the path is proposed for the top of the bank at the side of the tracks, well out of the way of trains. What's left is to design and construct the Community Path. This depends on public support! Finding Design Funds The cost of designing the Community Path is about $130,000. Due to strong local support, the City of Somerville has already pledged $30,000 for path design. In May of 2001, Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay asked Massachusetts Senate leaders to appropriate the needed design funds in the state's annual budget, without success. So what now? The Friends of the Community Path aim to raise the other $100,000 for Community Path design. We've got $65,000 so far. Reaching the Goal: Path Building Community Path construction will require funding. We expect: Federal funds to cover ~80% of the estimated $1.55 million construction costs, and State funds to cover the remaining ~20% of the costs for construction. Making it Happen To make the Community Path extension from the Minuteman to Lechmere a reality, the Friends of the Community Path are: Providing information and outreach to walkers, runners, rollers, businesses, organizers, neighbors, schools, and other stakeholders. Garnering support from political leaders and the MBTA Seeking funding sources for path design and construction What You Can Do: Stay informed - Use this Web site, get on our e-mail list Support us in word and deed - Make phone calls, write to political leaders, and talk to friends, singing out your support for the path -- especially when we ask for your help. Back us with your donations - We invite your contributions to defray the costs of mail campaigns, printing, etc. Join our Action Group!


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