The Coastal Trails Coalition (CTC) is a non-profit organization advocating for the Coastal Trails Network, a 30-mile public system of bicycle and pedestrian trails linking the communities of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury.
Newburyport History Ride, Saturday May 24
CTC and Riverside Cycle Co-sponsor Newburyport History Ride
Saturday, May 24, 11 AM - 2 PM
The Coastal Trails Coalition and Riverside Cycle will co-sponsor another Newburyport History ride through Newburyport's South End and into Newbury Old Town. This will be similar to the ride to the North End last summer. The ride will start at the bike shop in the Tannery at 11 AM and end about 2 PM back at the shop. It will be an easy ride, only about 5 miles, with frequent stops to talk about the history of places and buildings we pass. We'll stop about half way for a picnic in a spot of green, so bring along a sandwich and something to drink. There will be some fairly easy unpaved paths, so hybrid or fat tires are a good idea. Kids 14 or older are welcome with an adult. Since historic pictures will be part of the story, rain will cancel. Bike rentals available. Call Riverside Cycle for more information: 978-465-5566. Call after 5 PM the day before for a recorded message in case of doubt about the weather.
CTC 2007 PROGRESS REPORT
COASTAL TRAILS COALITION INSTALLS NEW BICYCLE RACKS ON PLUM ISLAND
During the past year the CTC has
made great strides in continuing to gain the support of the local business
community and the public at large.Most importantly, with CTC’s assistance and with the continuing support
of our Congressman John Tierney, State Senator Steven Baddour and State
Representative Mike Costello, the four local communities have made significant
progress in designing and developing the trails and in obtaining critical
rights-of-way from private landowners.A partial list of accomplishments in 2007 includes:
OLD EASTERN MARSH TRAIL DEVELOPMENT, SALISBURY
The Town of Salisbury completed surveying and preliminary design
work on a 1.3 mile section of Salisbury’s Old Eastern Marsh Trail from the
Merrimack River to Mudnock Road.Mass Highway is providing up to $2 million to design and construct the
trail.When completed, it will be
the first link in Salisbury’s north-south rail trail that will ultimately
extend to the New Hampshire border and connect residential areas with the
town’s parks and elementary school.
OLD EASTERN MARSH TRAIL SIGNAGE, SALISBURY
The Town of Salisbury received a $2,000 grant from the Essex
National Heritage Commission to develop three interpretive signs and two
entrance signs for the Old Eastern Marsh Trail.CTC recently received a $650 grant from the Salisbury
Cultural Council for the signs.CTC will contribute an additional $1,500 to complete funding for the
project.All of the research and
design of the signs is being done by CTC volunteers.The design is nearly complete and the signs should be
installed this summer.
SALISBURY POINT GHOST TRAIL – LIONS PARK CONNECTION
CTC paid for surveying the recreational trail easement donated to
the Town of Salisbury by resident Anne Jones that will connect the Salisbury
Point Ghost Trail directly to Lion’s Park. CTC used funds donated by the
Institution for Savings in Newburyport and the Fields Pond Foundation to pay
for the work needed to complete the survey.
The Town of Salisbury was awarded a $50,000 grant from the
Commonwealth’s Recreational Trails Program to construct an extension of the
Salisbury Point Ghost Trail to Lion’s Park.CTC also was awarded a $5,000 grant by Fields Pond
Foundation to support the trail extension.Work has begun on the extension, including clearing trees
and grading the trail.SPS New
England made a major contribution by removing hundreds of old railroad ties
from the rail bed.A cooperative
workday is planned for Earth Day this spring (April 22) with Timberland
Corporation, local contractors, Salisbury town workers and CTC volunteers.This link will greatly benefit area
children who use Lion’s Park and the Boys and Girls Club, senior citizens who
visit the nearby Hilton Center and residents of the neighborhoods near Salisbury
Square.
SALISBURY POINT GHOST TRAIL – RABBIT ROAD CONNECTION
The Salisbury Planning Board negotiated an agreement with Vaughn
Manufacturing to donate a recreational trail easement to the town to connect
the Ghost Trail to Rabbit Road. That key easement will complete assembly of the
trail’s right-of-way from Lion’s Park to the Salisbury/Amesbury town line.
RIVERWALK EXTENSION, AMESBURY
The Town of Amesbury received a new funding commitment by the
state to move forward with extending Amesbury’s 1.5 mile Riverwalk to
downtown.Agreement was reached to
fund the $177,000 cost of carrying out a state-required revision of the design
for the project, which calls for construction of a 400-foot-long bridge linking
the Riverwalk with Main Street.Future plans include extending the Riverwalk an additional mile to the
Salisbury line, linking the two towns by trail.
CLIPPER CITY RAIL TRAIL, NEWBURYPORT
The City of Newburyport completed the design of the Clipper City
Rail Trail from the MBTA station to the Merrimack River.Construction is scheduled to begin later
this year.Mass Highway is
providing up to $2 million to construct the trail, including a new bridge over
Low Street.
MERRIMACK RIVER BOARDWALK – CLIPPER CITY RAIL TRAIL
CONNECTION, NEWBURYPORT
The
Massachusetts Seaport Advisory Council made a commitment to give the City of
Newburyport $450,000 to help develop a new section of its boardwalk along the
Merrimack River.That
connection will link the Clipper City Rail Trail and the MBTA commuter rail station
to the downtown and the harbor.
REPRINTING
OF CTC TRAIL GUIDE
CTC secured
commitments from advertisers and completed printing 1,500 additional copies of
our successful Coastal Trails Guide, to be sold through local retail
outlets.The Guide also may be
purchased on line at this website.
NEW SALISBURY COASTAL TRAIL BROCHURE
Salisbury Coastal Trails designed and printed 1,500 Salisbury
Coastal Trails brochures featuring Salisbury’s growing trail system as well as
the entire Coastal Trails Network.The Salisbury Chamber of Commerce donated $1,000 for printing costs.
BIKE RACK INSTALLATION
CTC
installed two bicycle racks for the use of the public on Plum Island.The racks were purchased and installed
with funds that CTC obtained through a grant from Bikes Belong.The installation is part of CTC’s
ongoing program to promote bicycle access to Plum Island, which has included
contributions toward paving and marking the bike lanes on the Plum Island
Turnpike.
TRAIL WALKS
CTC raised public awareness of our goals and the evolving
recreational trail system by hosting a trail walk and picnic in June on the
Salisbury Point Ghost Trail and its proposed connection to Lion’s Park.The event was sponsored by the Institution
for Savings.
CTC hosted a second trail walk in September on the Old Eastern
Marsh Trail as part of the Essex National Heritage Commission’s Trails and
Sails Weekend.
BORDER TO BOSTON TRAIL RELAY
CTC helped to organize the Border to Boston Trail Relay in
October.Conceived as an opportunity
to showcase the benefits and challenges of trail building, over 40 trail
advocates and community leaders walked or biked up to half of the proposed rail
trail’s 28 miles, including sections in Salisbury, Newburyport and Newbury.
PARKER RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ACCESS PROJECT
CTC participated as a core advisor in the Parker River National
Wildlife Refuge Access Project, a planning effort to develop safe,
non-motorized connections between Newburyport’s MBTA commuter rail station and
the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and Visitor Center—key
destinations in the Coastal Trails Network.
RECOGNITION
FROM NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR CTC PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT
CTC received recognition from
the National Park Service for its ROVER Project.The project, created to engage the public’s interest in the
trail network, enlisted the community to explore and photograph the trail
system.The resulting images were
posted on the ROVER sculpture. The
sculpture has subsequently been taken on tour and served as a rallying point
for later trail events.The
report is available at: http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/news&events/ACL_Final_small.pdf
WalMart Donation
Walmart's Joan Tessier presents CTC's Jerry Klima a $350 donation check.
Salisbury Trail Update
Salisbury Trail-Building Event
April 2007
On April 19, 2007, buoyed by the sight of the sun for the first time in five days, a 50-person team of Timberland Company employees and trail-building volunteers from Salisbury, CityYear and Americorps made significant progress in opening another section of Salisbury’s trail system. This is the 5th time Timberland has provided manpower, equipment, and materials to improve the trails in Salisbury, and once again the work day was a resounding success.
The event was organized by Timberland’s Tom Roberts working with Lisa Pearson, Salisbury Planning Director, and Ray Cote, Salisbury DPW. Originally, an ambitious schedule was planned to extend the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail another 1000 feet westward, but the rain and tidal flooding resulting in a state-of-emergency in Salisbury fully occupied the town’s DPW personnel. An alternative plan was quickly made and the assembled crew spent the day building six planters for the trail section between Bartlett and Cushing Streets and clearing trees and brush from the section east of Cushing Street that will eventually connect to Lion’s Park.
The work began at 9:00 A.M. preceded by a brief introduction given by Steve Golden of the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program and Jerry Klima, Salisbury Selectman. Mr. Golden praised the Timberland Company for its dedication to preserving the environment and its skill in organizing and completing beneficial projects. Mr. Klima thanked Timberland and the town employees and volunteers for their efforts on behalf of Salisbury’s trails, and noted that Salisbury’s Ghost Trail had been built almost completely using volunteer labor and donated materials.
The Salisbury DPW, whose personnel had been working non-stop for four days, were nevertheless able to provide the Town’s much-needed wood-chipper so that the clearing of felled trees and brush could be completed. The volunteers used wheelbarrows to spread the wood chips produced by the chipper alongside the trail as mulch. After a morning of hard work, the volunteers enjoyed a tasty picnic lunch provided by Timberland and local businesses. By the end of the day, the clearing and mulching made for a much more open and attractive trail.
Thanks to the Timberland Company for their generous efforts and also a special thanks to all of the Salisbury residents who helped organize the event and clear the trail. Finally, thanks to the following local businesses whose contributions helped make the day enjoyable and successful: Emergency Ice, Elm Street Dunkin Donuts, Market Basket and Shaw’s of Newburyport, Stop & Shop of Amesbury, and Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart of Seabrook.
Coastal Trails: 10 Self-Guided Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Paddling
Coastal Trails: 10 Self-Guided Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Paddling
The CTC has created Coastal Trails, a 20-page, full color booklet containing 10 self-guided biking, hiking and paddling trails. The guide is your invitation to enjoy some of the wonderful half-day outings available in the region. Included are easy to intermediate level trips, with key features, trail length and condition, and a list of highlights provided for each trail. These trips were selected by active members of the CTC and describe some of their favorite outings. All proceeds benefit the Coastal Trails Coalition.
The guides are available for $7.00 at the following retail locations:
Alliance for Amesbury, Market Square, Amesbury
Alpine Shop, Liberty St, Newburyport
Amesbury Skate Shop, Route 110, Amesbury
Bird Watcher's Supply & Gift, 190 State St, Newburyport
Jabberwocky Book Shop, 50 Water St, Newburyport
Mr. Moe's Package Store, Plum Island Blvd, Newbury
Moor & Mountain, 3 Railroad St, Andover
Natural Grocer, High Street, Newburyport
Nature Shop at Joppa Flats, Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, 38 R Merrimac St, Newburyport
To order by mail, send check or money order (no cash) to:
Trail Guide
Coastal Trails Coalition
PO Box 1016
Newburyport, MA 01950
Price $9.00 ($7.00 + $2.00 shipping & handling)
Welcome to the CTC website!
Coastal Trails Coalition
Who is the Coastal Trails Coalition?
The Coastal Trails Coalition (CTC) is composed of citizens and communities in the Lower Merrimack Valley whose mission is to advocate for the Coastal Trails Network, a public system of interconnected bicycle and pedestrian trails that will enhance local recreation, conservation, education, and tourism opportunities. The CTC receives technical assistance and support from the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program, the Essex National Heritage Commission and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Coastal Trails Network
Imagine being able to travel from the revitalized
mill village of Amesbury to the
beaches of the Salisbury Beach State
Reservation; from shopping in historic
Newburyport to the natural sites of the
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in
Newbury - all without getting in your car.
The Coastal Trails Network is an emerging
30-mile, public system of bicycle and
pedestrian trails linking the unique coastal
features, town centers, neighborhoods and
transportation hubs in the communities of
Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and
Salisbury. With several
miles currently in public
ownership, the trail network
has already begun
to offer residents and
visitors a healthy, alternative
means of exercising,
shopping, commuting
or simply enjoying
the region's abundant
natural, historic and
cultural resources.
Activities and sites along the trail
The Coastal Trail Network is ideal for walkers,
runners, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, wheelchair
users, hikers and others who want to enjoy
the region's natural beauty and historic resources.
Wildlife and Wetlands Passing through one of
the most pristine natural areas on the East Coast,
the trails offer tremendous opportunity to observe
a variety of animal and bird species and plant life.
Beaches and Recreation The trails connect
miles of pristine beach that offer swimming, fishing,
camping, hiking, canoeing and kayaking.
Historic Treasures Lying within the federallydesignated
Essex National Heritage Area, historic
and natural sites along the trail illuminate nearly
400 years of our nation's history.
Dining & More Delightful regional dining offerings
& a large arts community provide unique trailside
shopping & cultural activities.
Current Status of Trails
The CTC is an active advocate and
promoter of the Coastal Trails Network
whose activities include:
Working with Massachusetts Electric to
secure long term licenses and easements
along the rail corridor and trails.
Leading negotiations with the MBTA on
the transfer and long term lease options
for inactive rail lines.
Initiating advocacy and fundraising efforts
for construction of bicycling lanes on
Plum Island.
Organizing trail enhancement projects in
Salisbury with Timberland Company.
Initiating a public awareness campaign to
engage the communities and build awareness
of the Coastal Trails Network.
Establishing relationships with elected
officials to elevate visibility and further
trails work.
How will trail development and
related projects be funded?
The Coastal Trails Network will be built using
a combination of federal, state, local and private
funds, including foundation grants and
donations from corporations and individuals.
How You Can Help
Join CTC Become a member of Costal Trails Coalition
(CTC) and demonstrate your support and
enthusiasm for this project and help get
the trail completed in the shortest possible
time. Members receive a semi-annual
newsletter with updates on trail progress
and trail related activities. All funds raised
by the CTC are used to seed fundraising
activities for trail building and for
brochures, mailings and website maintenance.
The CTC is a non-profit organization
and contributions are tax deductible.
Volunteer
We have many opportunities for volunteers,
from trail building to staffing an
information booth to helping with fundraising
activities.
For more information about CTC, including how to join and volunteer, please see our brochure in the section to the left.
Future Meetings
CTC Monthly Meetings
Thursday, May 8
Business Meeting at 6:30 pm
Program at 7:00 pm
Newburyport Public Library
Program Room
94 State Street
Newburyport
Thursday, June 12
7:00 pm
PITA Hall
Plum Island Boulevard
Plum Island
Thursday, July 10
7:00 pm
Salisbury Town Hall
2nd Floor
5 Beach Road
Salisbury
Walmart's Joan Tessier presents CTC's Jerry Klima a $350 donation check.
