NRT-MassCentral Trail applicationNorwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail Improvements 1
I: Project Information
Project Title: Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail Improvements
Project Summary: CPA Funding is sought for two projects to improve the Norwottuck/Mass
Central Rail Trail
1) Fully extend the in Leeds 1250 feet north to bring it to the Williamsburg town line.
Work proposed includes final drainage improvements and paving, prior work
included included rough grading and drainage work on this section. This segment of
the trail has been slowly progressing north for many years. It is located along the
beautiful Mill River, and provides a stunning backdrop of the waterfront for bicyclists
and pedestrians alike. CPA Funding will be used as a match for a $50,000 Federal
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant.
2) Creation of a new access ramp to the Trail at the Look Park Access Road. The trail,
which follows the former rail bed, is elevated and inaccessible for much of its path
through Leeds. The ramp will create new neighborhood access for residents of
Leeds and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center to reach the trail safely.
Estimated start date: Autumn 2017
Estimated completion date: Autumn 2018
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): Massachusetts Electric Company (the City has a ROW to
allow for trail work to occur) and Look Park
Organization (if applicable): Office of Planning and Sustainability
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: $500,000
CPA funding request: $50,000 for connection to Williamsburg, $200,000 for Look Park
Access Ramp
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 50%
Applicant’s Signature: __________
Date Submitted: September 15, 2017________________
Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail Improvements 2
Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail CPA Application
Narrative:
The MassCentral trail has been slowly progressing northwest over the years as funding has
become available. In 2014, the CPA, as a match for a Federal Land and Water Conservation
Fund, funded full design and construction to a half mile section of trail immediately north of
Grove Avenue. Work wrapped up in late Fall 2015, and this segment of the trail is now fully
complete and one of the most beautiful parts of the trail network. Trail users are encouraged
to stop off and engage in the many recreational activities made possible by the increased access
the trail provides, including gorgeous views, fishing, and swimming. This recent work also
included rough drainage improvements and grading of the trail up to the Williamsburg line.
That allows this area, which had been formerly very difficult to access, to be used by walkers
and hybrid bicycles. Williamsburg has also been working on the trail north of the town line;
including creation of an access to South Main Street and planning for trail connections even
farther north and west to Williamsburg center and beyond. We are requesting CPA funds to
allow the final 1250 feet of trail in Northampton to be fully completed.
We have applied for (and – just announced on September 19) and received a federal
Recreational Trail Program grant of $50,000, the maximum award allowable, for this project.
CPA funds are proposed as a match for that grant, and CPA funding will only be expended as a
match to this grant program.
We have also applied for a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC)
grant for construction of an access ramp to reach the trail near the northerly entrance to Look
Park. The trail follows a former rail bed, which was elevated through Look Park and much of
the Village of Leeds. Providing access to and from street level has been challenging due to cost,
accessibility, and property ownership concerns. As a result, the trail is elevated and
inaccessible for ¾ of a mile, as it passes stores, schools, conservation areas and neighborhoods.
Desire for opportunities for access are clearly evident, defined desire-line paths cross very
steep slopes and private property in several locations. The proposed new access ramp will
provide an ADA-accessible for those on the trail to visit Look Park or stop at a neighborhood
store, and for residents of Leeds, including the mostly low-income residents of the Veterans
Affairs Medical Center, to reach the trail safely.
CPA funds are requested as the local match for that grant program, to allow the If the
application is not successful (PARC award announcements are expected early this winter, in the
midst of the CPA funding round), we will reduce the CPA request to $50,000 to cover only the
RTP match.
All permitting and due diligence has been completed. Wetlands permits are in-hand, and
necessary signoff from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and Natural heritage and
Endangered Species program have been received. We will be ready to go to bid as soon as
funding is in-hand. If work begins soon, we can utilize the construction documents developed
for the section of trail developed in 2015, which also included the access ramp as an add-
alternate.
Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail Improvements 3
It has been a longstanding goal of both Northampton and Williamsburg to extend the trail
north into Haydenville and points beyond. The project will not only meet those local needs,
but will also connect one more community to the regional long-distance trail network.
Addition of less than one quarter of a mile of trail to Haydenville will immediately connect to
Northampton, Southampton, Easthampton, Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, and Belchertown.
It also represents a significant milestone and opportunity for the statewide Mass Central Trail,
eventually connecting Boston and the Berkshires. The Leeds Trail is currently the northern
terminus of a trail system that is increasingly used not only as a recreational opportunity, but
for commuting. Connection to Haydenville increases the Trail’s viability as an alternate mode
of transportation for Williamsburg and the hilltowns. Williamsburg has also received a $50,000
RTP grant, which will allow for additional work beyond the town line to also occur this fall.
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, providing access to the Mill River at one of its most beautiful
sections. This project will also bring the trail one step closer to a connection with
Williamsburg.
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.
Serves under-served populations
The trail is within walking distance of an Environmental Justice (EJ) block group, as well as
an EJ housing project. The proposed new access ramp will provide an ADA-accessible
for those on the trail to visit Look Park or stop at a neighborhood store, and for
residents of Leeds, including the mostly low-income residents of the Veterans Affairs
Medical Center, to reach the trail safely.
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
Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail Improvements 4
The project is supported by:
• Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways
• Mill River Greenway Committee, Town of Williamsburg
• Healthy Hampshire, Hampshire Council of Governments
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, City of Northampton
• Northampton Office of Planning and Sustainability
• Northampton Conservation Commission
Leverages additional public and/or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding sources are not
readily available or sufficient
CPA Funds will be used as a match for $50,000 in Recreational Trails Program grant, and
a possible PARC award.
Demonstrates a high benefit/cost value
A relatively small initial investment of CPA funds has already leveraged a great deal of
state and federal funds for construction along the full bike path network, and that can
continue for this trail segment. Multi-use trail projects have typically received
tremendous public support in Northampton, and the trail extension and connector ramp
will both be very visible, highly traveled additions 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, with
construction estimated to be complete in 2018 for the connector, and 2019 for the
access ramp.
Advances a Public Purpose
One of Northampton’s long-standing goals to make 75% of the City easily accessible to
trail systems. Extending the trail north through Leeds will help further this goal. A trail
network that is usable for commuting and recreation is one of the major reasons why
Northampton is recognized as a leader in sustainability.
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
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
Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail Improvements 5
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
Attachments:
Support Letters
Locus Map
Photos
Full plans and bid documents available online
Low Income HousingTax Credit
trail extension
access ramp
EOEEA Environmental Justice Area(Criterion: Minority)
rail trail
Deed Reference:Book 943 Page 297
Parcel ID: 16A-002-001
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Path: N:\GIS_Projects\Projects\Public\MXD\PARC_FY18_20170707.mxdDate: Thursday, July 20, 2017
Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane Massachusetts Mainland FIPS 2001Projection: Lambert Conformal ConicDatum: North American 1983False Easting: 200,000.0000False Northing: 750,000.0000Central Meridian: -71.5000Standard Parallel 1: 41.7167Standard Parallel 2: 42.6833Latitude Of Origin: 41.0000Units: Meter 0 1,000 Feet
Look Park
openspace
Terminus of the
improved trail and
start of project
location
View of the
recently
improved trail
south of the
terminus
Unimproved trail
segment and Mill
River View
January 21, 2017
Amanda Lewis
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Recreational Trails Program
136 Damon Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Dear Friends,
It is our great pleasure to provide an enthusiastic letter of support to the Town of Williamsburg
and City of Northampton for their synergistic proposals to the Recreational Trails Program 2017.
Northampton’s successful 2015 project to extend the bike trail system over a mile west from
Leeds toward the town line laid the foundation for this next phase of the work. Across the town
line, Williamsburg’s Mill River Greenway Committee is providing inspirational leadership and
making extraordinary progress in bringing the dream of a Mill River Greenway to reality. The
project described in the Williamsburg and Northampton RTP proposals will complete the link to
connect the Village of Haydenville into the Pioneer Valley’s Mass Central Rail Trail system.
The South Main Connector component will then set things up for the proposed MA DOT
Greenway project, which will run along the length of Route 9 all the way into downtown
Williamsburg. It’s truly thrilling to see this close collaboration and forward momentum,
especially in light of past controversy and disappointment.
The regional Mill River Greenway Initiative looks forward to supporting Northampton and
Williamsburg in this collaborative effort over the next two years. We intend to partner with the
Williamsburg Historical Commission and Woodland Trails Committees to produce interpretive
signs and brochures for this stretch of the Greenway, which bears the evidence of its water-
powered industrial past.
We eagerly anticipate the increased recreational, ecological, and educational opportunities this
project will create. We are grateful for the vital support provided by the Rec Trails Program in
2014, and ask for your support in bringing this next phase of the project to fruition.
Respectfully,
John Sinton, Co-Moderator