CPA CT River Greenway Application
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Title: Connecticut River Greenway Multiuse Trail
Project Summary: CPA Funding is sought to advance the design and construction of
the Connecticut River Greenway Trail, from the Mass Central/Norwottuck Rail Trail
access on Damon Road to the historic New Haven/Northampton Canal and the new
Connecticut River Greenway riverfront park. CPA funds will be used for the design
and construction of the entire length of trail.
Estimated start date: Summer, 2013 Estimated completion date: December, 2016
(for this phase)
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
Open Space � Historic Preservation
� Community Housing Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Wayne Feiden
Property Owner (if applicable): Northampton Conservation Commission and
Northampton Recreation Commission
Organization (if applicable): Northampton Office of Planning and Development
Mailing Address: 210 Main Street, City Hall, Northampton MA 01060
Daytime phone #: 413-587-1265 Fax #: 413-587-1264
E-mail address: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
III: Budget Summary
Total budget for project: $600,000
CPA funding request: $300,000
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 50%
Applicant’s Signature: __________
Date Submitted: February 5, 2013________________
Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 1
CONNECTICUT RIVER GREENWAY CPA APPLICATION
Narrative:
CPA Funding is sought to advance the design and construction of the Connecticut River
Greenway Trail from the Mass Central/Norwottuck Rail Trail to the new Connecticut
River Greenway riverfront park. Damon Road is an especially treacherous route for
bicyclists and those on foot, and the project will create a safe and scenic connection.
CPA funds will be used to complete design and engineering of this complete section of
the trail, including a bridge over the New Haven and Northampton Canal, to install
wetland crossing boardwalks, install a soft surface If the City is successful in a planned
PARC grant application, CPA funds will be used as the local match for construction of
the bridge.
Community Preservation Criteria
The project meets several Community Preservation general criteria:
Serves more than one CPA program area
The project serves both Open Space and Recreation.
Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of
the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents
Northampton is known for its network of multi-use trails, and this trail will be a
valuable addition to this resource. The trail will connect the Mass
Central/Norwottuck Rail Trail with River Run condominiums, the historic Canal,
and, if PARC funds are received, the CT River Greenway riverfront park via a
bridge. The trail will greatly expand the amount of trails and bicycle-friendly
roads available to Northampton residents and visitors.
Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive
plan and/or the Northampton Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011-
2018 or is consistent with other city-wide planning efforts that have received broad-
based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide community support
Multi-use paths were identified as a primary objective in the Open Space,
Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan, so much so that the Plan’s name was
changed to include them. The Plan noted that “opportunities for new or
expanded connections to existing trail networks for alternative transportation,
walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and other recreational opportunities”
are priorities when considering sites for recreation. The Connecticut River
Greenway Trail was called out as a specific goal as well: “Extending a trail 1.5
miles from Damon Road or 1.3 miles from River Run Access Road to Elm Court in
Hatfield would dramatically open up multi-use trail opportunities. It would connect
a new town to the growing rail trail network and provide easy access to Hatfield’s
safe back roads for Northampton bicyclists. It would also be a spectacular trail
with great Connecticut River vistas and it would be anchored by the south by the
new greenway community boathouse park and on the north by the Connecticut
Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 2
River Greenway parcel with frontage on the river.” This trail is a first step toward
connecting realizing this larger goal.
Serves under-served populations
The Trail will provide access to River Run condominiums, the largest low income
condominium complex in the city. The condos are currently isolated from the trail
network, as well as the rest of the City, by busy, unsafe roads. Safe alternative
travel from this area to shopping, schools, and downtown is not possible, despite
a short distance. This project will create a direct link for bike and pedestrian
travel.
Places high value on sustainable, ecologically responsible, energy-conserving structures,
locations, and materials; demonstrates that the project minimizes the ecological
footprint
The project will create additional connections for alternative modes of travel, and
provide new opportunities to bike and walk to shopping areas and the
downtown, potentially reducing vehicle trips.
Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments and
City residents.
The project is supported by the Office of Planning and Development, Recreation
Commission, Conservation Commission, Transportation and Parking Commission,
and Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee. Support letters for the project will follow.
Leverages additional public and/or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding
sources are not readily available or sufficient
While this segment of the trail construction will not have the same high level of
matching funds for construction that past trail projects have included. However,
since the land is owned by the Conservation Commission, these funding avenues
are not available, and no other funding source is readily available.
Demonstrates a high benefit/cost value
Multi-use trail projects have typically received tremendous public support in
Northampton, and this trail will be a very visible, highly traveled, scenic addition
to the trail network.
Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget
Bids can be sought for project consultants as soon as a grant is awarded.
Experience with other trails and oversight the multi-year process that led to our
current $13 million of construction funding and all of our current construction
projects, we know that this is achievable.
The project also meets many of the specific criteria for Open Space and Recreation
projects:
Open Space Criteria:
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education
Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 3
Provide connections with existing non-motorized multi-use trails or potential trail
linkages
Preserve valuable surface water resources, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds,
wetlands, buffer zones, vernal pools and riparian zones
Recreation Criteria:
Support multiple active and passive recreation uses;
Serve a significant number of residents;
Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to Northampton residents of
all ages
Enhance the appreciation of the natural world and its conservation
Contribute to the positive health status of its citizens
Benefit conservation and recreation initiatives
Maximize the utility of land already owned by Northampton (e.g. school property)
Promote the creative use of former railway, waterways and other corridors, including
connecting corridors, to create safe and healthful non-motorized transportation
and exercise opportunities
Incorporate environmentally friendly design and long-term maintenance
Project Timeline (Entire project):
Task Timeline from
spring CPA
award
Hire design and engineering consultants immediately
PARC announcement 9 months
Design complete 1 year
Wetlands Permits Received 1 year
Preliminary sitework 15 months
Boardwalk installation and TRG creation 18 months
Hire bridge engineer 20 months
Canal bridge construction (IF PARC grant 2 years
received)
Project Budget:
OPD plans to apply for a PARC grant in Summer, 2013, to pursue funds for design and
construction of a bridge over the historic canal. This would connect the trail with the
Connecticut River Greenway Park and river access point. At this point it is not yet
known the funding level of the PARC program, or the likelihood of success. If PARC
funds are received, CPA funds will be used as the required local match. A great deal of
engineering and design for the bridge could be completed using CPA funds even if the
PARC grant is not received. However, if the Committee were to award a portion of the
Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 4
requested amount, the engineering and construction portion would also create a stand-
alone trail.
CPA Portion Match Total
PHASE 1: Damon Road to Historic Canal
Design: Includes $70,000 $70,000
Surveying,
Engineering and
Other Consulting
Right of Way $10,000 $10,000
Donation by
Conservation
Commission
Project Oversight, $25,000 $25,000
Community
Outreach, Wetlands
Flagging and
Permitting, Mapping
Construction: to $90,000 $90,000
include soft surface
path, and
boardwalks over
wetlands
Phase 1 Totals: $160,000 $35,000 $195,000
PHASE 2: Canal Bridge to Greenway Park
Canal Bridge (if $140,000 IF PARC grant $405,000
PARC grant received:
received, unless
$265,000
designer identifies a
low budget version
without PARC grant)
Phase 2 Totals: $140,000 $265,000 $405,000
Project Total: $300,000 $300,000 $600,000
Attachments:
Rough Trail Layout Map
Support letters to follow
Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 5
Connecticut River Greenway Multiuse Trail
Norwottuck Rail Trail to Historic Canal