Coastal Trails Grand Opening

A Hearty Thank You from the Planning Committee!

The Daily News of Newburyport , June 9, 2010
Rail trails lead to community pride

To the editor:

Oh, what a day it was. Blessed by sunshine and a cool sea breeze, an estimated 4,000 area residents and visitors discovered the new rail trails in Newburyport and Salisbury during the Coastal Trails Grand Opening on Sunday, May 23. All who walked or rode experienced the health and quality of life benefits these dynamic linear parks have instantly bestowed upon our communities. Whether exploring the Clipper City Rail Trail or the Old Eastern Marsh Trail, trail users had their senses stimulated by an array of food, music, history, art and children's activities provided by local organizations and businesses.

On that day, too, the long labors of many were roundly recognized by U.S. Congressman John Tierney, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, state Rep. Michael Costello, Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday, Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington, MassDOT project manager Al Miller, and City of Newburyport senior project manager Geordie Vining, whose daughter did what many have eagerly anticipated for years: She cut the ribbon officially opening the trails.

For their heroic work preparing the trails and related areas for the grand opening event, our deepest gratitude goes to MassDOT and its contractors, Newburyport Department of Public Services and its director Tony Furnari, Salisbury Department of Public Works and its director Donald Levesque, Salisbury Fire Department, Doody Calls, Battis Grove neighbors, and especially Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins Jr. and Joseph Furnari, superintendent of the Lawrence Correctional Alternative Center.

For their sponsorship, we thank The Institution for Savings, Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank and The Provident Bank.

For their promotional support, our thanks go to The Daily News of Newburyport, WNBP Radio, Change Artist, Jen Wright Signs, Domino's Pizza and Newburyport Pioneer League.

For their recording of the event, we thank Salisbury Community TV and Port Media.

For their role in providing nourishment for body and mind, we thank Chococoa Baking Company, Haley's Ice Cream, Domino's Pizza, Riverside Cafe, Warren Street Market & Deli, Nick's Pizza, Michael's Harborside, Cafe Venturelli, Seaglass Restaurant, Capri Seaside Italian Grille, Blue Ocean Music Hall, Salisbury Parks & Recreation Committee, Heat Event Management, Newburyport Art Association, Fay, Spofford and Thorndike, Salisbury Historical Society, Salisbury Point Railroad Historical Society, Salisbury Beach Partnership, Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center, The Musical Suite, Newburyport Preservation Trust, Green Artists League, Bob Kimball Designs, MetroRock, Anna Jaques Hospital, Riverside Cycle, Newburyport Carbon Challenge, Essex National Heritage Commission, David Davies and the friends of CTC Rover, and the Coastal Trails Coalition.

For his extraordinary contribution, we thank Captain Bill Taplin of Plum Island EcoTours who ferried more than 850 intrepid trail users between the Newburyport and Salisbury trails. Thanks, too, to Brian Mullen of Cove Marina, as well as Salisbury Harbormaster Ray Pike and Newburyport Harbormaster Paul Hogg and their assistants.

For their safety and logistical support, we extend our thanks to the Salisbury Police Department, Newburyport Police Department, MBTA, Stripers Grille & Inn, The First Republic Corporation of America/Towle Building, John Golden, Jeff and Steff Melanson and Joan Stevens, and Tannery Marketplace.

Finally, as no event of this scale could possibly succeed without sufficient manpower, we offer our heartfelt thanks to the Coastal Trails Coalition, Salisbury Coastal Trails, Salisbury Planning Department, Newburyport High School and the nearly 50 event-day volunteers who ensured everyone enjoyed fun and safe afternoon discovering our rail trails.

Coastal Trails Grand Opening Planning Committee
Jerry Klima, Town of Salisbury; Geordie Vining, City of Newburyport; Bill Steelman , Essex National Heritage Commission; Lise Reid, Newburyport Parks Commission; Julie Ganong, Chococoa Baking Company; James Shanley, B Designs, Inc.; Ann Ormond, Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Kathy Aiello, Salisbury Beach Partnership; and Tracey Chalifour , Coastal Trails Coalition