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Coastal Trails Coalition, Inc. (CTC) is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to assist in
developing the Coastal Trails Network, an over 30-mile system of trails and bikeways connecting
the communities of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury. Formed in 2004 with the
support of the Essex National Heritage Commission, the National Park Service Rivers and Trails
Program, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, CTC continues to be a tax-exempt
501(c)(3) organization with no paid employees. Donations to CTC are tax deductible as
charitable donations. CTC invests 100% of donations, grants and membership contributions in
the trail network.
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 are
continuing to make major progress in building the trail network.
1. Salisbury Rail Trail Connector to be Built in 2012
To supply a missing link in the trail network and solve a major
safety problem, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation
(MassDOT) has awarded a contract to build a trail connection
between the south end of the Old Eastern Marsh Trail and the east
side of the Gillis Bridge. The project will allow walkers and
bicyclists to travel safely from Ring’s Island and Newburyport to
the Marsh Trail by using a new trail loop under the highway
bridge. The new trail will be built with 100% Federal and State
highway funds. CTC advocated for the connector and contributed
funds to the Town of Salisbury for environmental permitting.
2. New Salisbury Ghost Trail Connection to Route 110 to be Completed in 2012
The Town of Salisbury received a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Recreational Trails
Program to construct a Ghost Trail connection to Extra Innings on Elm Street (Route 110),
improve drainage and add a finished gravel surface to the western section of the trail. The
work began in the fall of 2011 and will be completed in the spring of 2012. The project will
provide trail parking at Extra Innings and access from the trail to businesses along Route 110.
3. MassDOT to Build a Shared Use Path on
the new I-95 Whittier Bridge by 2016
MassDOT will be replacing the Whittier Bridge
over the Merrimack River as part of its
accelerated bridge program. The $300 million
project will widen the northern section of I-95
through Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury
to four lanes in each direction. Leaders of the
local communities, CTC and others convinced
1
MassDOT to include a shared use path on the new bridge and alongside I-95. The shared use
path will permit pedestrians and bicyclists to travel across the Merrimack River between
Amesbury, Salisbury and Newburyport and to have safe and easy access to key destinations
such as Maudslay State Park, the Route 113 Park and Ride Facility, Route 110 and the
Salisbury Ghost Trail. Construction is expected to begin in 2013 and to be completed in 2016.
CTC is continuing to advocate for making a connection between the shared use path and
Main Street in Amesbury and is seeking MassDOT support to acquire the right of way for a
connection between the Salisbury Ghost Trail and Amesbury.
4. Northern Section of the Border to Boston Trail Being
Designed
Work is underway on designing 16 miles of the northern section of
the Border to Boston Trail. This effort will design Salisbury’s 2.3-
mile north-south trail between Mudnock Road and the
Massachusetts/New Hampshire state line, an on-road link from the
MBTA commuter rail station in Newburyport to Byfield in
Newbury and a 7.2-mile trail from Byfield all the way through
Georgetown and Boxford. The design will be paid for with $718,000
of federal funds, supplemented with $343,000 of state highway funds and $192,000 of
matching funds from the four towns. CTC contributed $5,000 toward Salisbury’s $59,000
match and $3,000 toward Newbury’s $12,000 match. CTC also raised $44,000 of additional
funds for Salisbury’s match. The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, Institution for
Savings Charitable Foundation, TD Bank Foundation, SPS New England and CTC Board
members all made grants to CTC toward design of the trail in Salisbury. The design should
be completed in 2013. CTC and the towns will work on securing construction funding in the
meantime.
5. Work on Amesbury Riverwalk Extensions Continuing
The Town of Amesbury is completing designs to extend the 1.5-mile Riverwalk into
downtown. In addition, CTC is working with town officials and residents on developing a
connection between the Riverwalk and the Salisbury Ghost Trail. CTC, the local towns and
other advocates have asked MassDOT to acquire the right of way beneath I-95 to facilitate
the connection. CTC paid for a title search of the right of way and has committed funds for
any necessary appraisals. The Amesbury
Council held a workshop on this subject and
more work is planned.
6. Design of Clipper City Rail Trail (Phase
II) on City Branch Rail Line Underway
The City of Newburyport secured two more
crucial easements along the old City Branch
corridor, and contracted with Stantec at the
end of the year to begin preliminary design
and permitting for Phase II of the Clipper
City Rail Trail and Harborwalk. The
preliminary design process is supported
primarily by Community Preservation Act
(CPA) funding, and will facilitate securing a
long-term 99-year lease from National Grid for the remaining portions of the corridor. This
phase of the Rail Trail and Harborwalk will provide an off-road pathway for pedestrians and
2
Joppa Park
Market Landing Park
Cashman Park
March's Hill Park
Commuter Rail Station
Clipper City Rail Trail
B O R D E R
B O S T O N
to
bicyclists to travel along the Merrimack River shoreline, connecting the City’s downtown and
central waterfront with Joppa Park at the seawall. The pathway will continue through the
South End neighborhood and the tranquil woodlands south of March’s Hill Park to Parker
Street in Newbury. The City anticipates installing additional sculpture and public art along the
trail, as in the first phase. Additional funding will be required to complete final design and
specifications, as well as to construct the trail and install enhancements.
7. Salisbury and Amesbury Adopt-a-Trail Programs Successful
With CTC’s leadership both Salisbury and Amesbury implemented Adopt-a-Trail Programs
during 2011. The two towns’ rail trails now have mileposts every 1/10th mile along a total of
over four miles of trails. Each post has a sign showing its exact location and a local sponsor’s
name and logo. The sponsoring businesses are making annual contributions to CTC toward
maintaining and improving the trails. The mileposts allow people who need help while on
the trails to call 911 and give their exact location. People feel safer and first responders can
get to the scene quickly when help is needed.
8. CTC Designs and Installs Wayfinding Signs on Salisbury’s Coastal
Trails
To help people navigate Salisbury’s Coastal Trails
CTC designed and installed Wayfinding Signs on both
the Marsh Trail and the Ghost Trail. With the help of
the Salisbury DPW we installed signposts at each trail
entrance that include a map of the trail system and
give directions and distances to key destinations. We
used Salisbury Adopt-a-Trail funds for the signs and
posts.
9. CTC Presents “Riding Bikes with the Dutch” at the Firehouse Center for the Arts
CTC sponsored the East Coast premiere of the documentary “Riding Bikes with the Dutch” at
the Firehouse Center for the Arts on March 3. This inspirational and fun film showed how
riding bikes is integrated into everyday life in Holland while highlighting Long Beach,
California’s efforts to shift from a car-centered lifestyle.
10. CTC Sponsors First Slow Bike Race Fundraiser
Young and old alike had fun at CTC’s and the region’s first Slow
Bike Race Fundraiser on May 1. This “How Slow Can You Go?”
race featured slow motion “racing” and last minute surprises. The
winner was the last “racer” over the finish line who did not touch a
foot to the ground. Prizes were awarded for the slowest racer, most
fundraising and best costume.
3
Merrimack River
PARKER STREET
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MERRIMAC STREET
ELM STREET
MUDNOCK ROAD
BRIDGE ROAD
BAKER ROAD
CUSHING ST
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BEACH ROAD
WATER STREET
FRIEDENFELS
HIGH STREET
Clipper
City
Trail STATE STREET
Ghost Trail
MAPLE ST
PLEASANT ST
Lion’s
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ELM ST
LION’S WY
MERRILL STREET
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Marsh
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P
FERRY ROAD
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113
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LOW STREET
113
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P P
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coastaltrails.org
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Salisbur y
Newburyport
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Salisbury
Beach
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11. CTC Co-sponsors 5K Fun Run and Walk on the Marsh Trail
CTC and the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Commission co-sponsored a second annual 5K
Fun Run and Walk on the Marsh Trail on May 1. Participants enjoyed a run or a brisk walk
along the trail on a beautiful spring day.
12. CTC Fundraiser at Flatbread Company
CTC sponsored another fundraiser at Flatbread Company in Amesbury on June 7. Lots of
people turned out and had a good time eating pizza and meeting and greeting each other. We
are very appreciative of Flatbread Company’s support of CTC and other community groups
through its pizza revenue-sharing fundraisers.
13. CTC Provides Funds to Support Trail Development
CTC uses its funds to assist in developing and improving our trails. During 2011 CTC made
the following grants.
a.) $10,000 paid toward Salisbury’s matching funds for Border to Boston Trail design
($5,000 from CTC and $5,000 from grants made to CTC for the trail design),
b.) $3,000 paid toward Newbury’s matching funds for Border to Boston Trail design,
c.) $1,100 paid for Salisbury’s Wayfinding Signs from Salisbury Adopt-a-Trail funds,
d.) $600 paid for Amesbury’s Adopt-a-Trail sign program,
e.) $390 grant to the Town of Salisbury for third party review of Salisbury Rail Trail
Connector plans for conservation permitting, and
f.) $200 to search the title to the right of way needed to make a trail connection between
Salisbury and Amesbury.
2012 Meeting Schedule
The public is cordially invited to our monthly meetings. All meetings are on Thursday evenings
at 7:00 p.m. Please check the CTC website to confirm date, time, and location.
You can also use our website to share any comments or questions and to make donations.
Coastal Trails Coalition
P.O. Box 1016
Newburyport, MA 01950
www.coastaltrails.org
December 2011
4
CTC 2011 Progress Report
Coastal Trails Coalition, Inc. (CTC) is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to assist indeveloping the Coastal Trails Network, an over 30-mile system of trails and bikeways connecting the communities of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury. Formed in 2004 with the support of the Essex National Heritage Commission, the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, CTC continues to be a tax-exempt501(c)(3) organization with no paid employees. Donations to CTC are tax deductible as charitable donations. CTC invests 100% of donations, grants and membership contributions in the trail network.
With CTC’s assistance and with the continuing support of our Congressman John Tierney, StateSenator Steven Baddour and State Representative Mike Costello, the four local communities arecontinuing to make major progress in building the trail network.
*SALISBURY RAIL TRAIL CONNECTOR TO BE BUILT IN 2012
To supply a missing link in the trail network and solve a majorsafety problem, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has awarded a contract to build a trail connection between the south end of the Old Eastern Marsh Trail and the east side of the Gillis Bridge. The project will allow walkers and bicyclists to travel safely from Ring’s Island and Newburyport to the Marsh Trail by using a new trail loop under the highway bridge. The new trail will be built with 100% Federal and State highway funds. CTC advocated for the connector and contributed funds to the Town of Salisbury for environmental permitting.
*NEW SALISBURY GHOST TRAIL CONNECTION TO ROUTE 110 TO BE COMPLETED IN 2012
The Town of Salisbury received a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program to construct a Ghost Trail connection to Extra Innings on Elm Street (Route 110), improve drainage and add a finished gravel surface to the western section of the trail. The work began in the fall of 2011 and will be completed in the spring of 2012. The project will provide trail parking at Extra Innings and access from the trail to businesses along Route 110.
*MASSDOT TO BUILD A SHARED USE PATH ON THE NEW I-95 WHITTIER BRIDGE BY 2016
MassDOT will be replacing the Whittier Bridgeover the Merrimack River as part of its accelerated bridge program. The $300 million project will widen the northern section of I-95 through Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury to four lanes in each direction. Leaders of the local communities, CTC and others convinced MassDOT to include a shared use path on the new bridge and alongside I-95. The shared use path will permit pedestrians and bicyclists to travel across the Merrimack River between Amesbury, Salisbury and Newburyport and to have safe and easy access to key destinations such as Maudslay State Park, the Route 113 Park and Ride Facility, Route 110 and the Salisbury Ghost Trail. Construction is expected to begin in 2013 and to be completed in 2016. CTC is continuing to advocate for making a connection between the shared use path and Main Street in Amesbury and is seeking MassDOT support to acquire the right of way for a connection between the Salisbury Ghost Trail and Amesbury.
*NORTHERN SECTION OF THE BORDER TO BOSTON TRAIL BEING DESIGNED
Work is underway on designing 16 miles of the northern section of the Border to Boston Trail. This effort will design Salisbury’s 2.3-mile north-south trail between Mudnock Road and the Massachusetts/New Hampshire state line, an on-road link from the MBTA commuter rail station in Newburyport to Byfield in Newbury and a 7.2-mile trail from Byfield all the way through Georgetown and Boxford. The design will be paid for with $718,000 of federal funds, supplemented with $343,000 of state highway funds and $192,000 of matching funds from the four towns. CTC contributed $5,000 toward Salisbury’s $59,000 match and $3,000 toward Newbury’s $12,000 match. CTC also raised $44,000 of additional funds for Salisbury’s match. The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation, TD Bank Foundation, SPS New England and CTC Board members all made grants to CTC toward design of the trail in Salisbury. The design should be completed in 2013. CTC and the towns will work on securing construction funding in the meantime.
*WORK ON AMESBURY RIVERWALK EXTENSIONS CONTINUING
The Town of Amesbury is completing designs to extend the 1.5-mile Riverwalk into downtown. In addition, CTC is working with town officials and residents on developing a connection between the Riverwalk and the Salisbury Ghost Trail. CTC, the local towns and other advocates have asked MassDOT to acquire the right of way beneath I-95 to facilitate the connection. CTC paid for a title search of the right of way and has committed funds for any necessary appraisals. The Amesbury Council held a workshop on this subject and more work is planned.
*DESIGN OF CLIPPER CITY RAIL TRAIL (PHASE II) ON CITY BRANCH RAIL LINE UNDERWAY
The City of Newburyport secured two more crucial easements along the old City Branch corridor, and contracted with Stantec at the end of the year to begin preliminary design and permitting for Phase II of the Clipper City Rail Trail and Harborwalk. The preliminary design process is supported primarily by Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding, and will facilitate securing a long-term 99-year lease from National Grid for the remaining portions of the corridor. This phase of the Rail Trail and Harborwalk will provide an off-road pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel along the Merrimack River shoreline, connecting the City’s downtown and central waterfront with Joppa Park at the seawall. The pathway will continue through the South End neighborhood and the tranquil woodlands south of March’s Hill Park to Parker Street in Newbury. The City anticipates installing additional sculpture and public art along the trail, as in the first phase. Additional funding will be required to complete final design and specifications, as well as to construct the trail and install enhancements.
*SALISBURY AND AMESBURY ADOPT-A-TRAIL PROGRAMS SUCCESSFUL
With CTC’s leadership both Salisbury and Amesbury implemented Adopt-a-Trail Programs during 2011. The two towns’ rail trails now have mileposts every 1/10th mile along a total of over four miles of trails. Each post has a sign showing its exact location and a local sponsor’s name and logo. The sponsoring businesses are making annual contributions to CTC toward maintaining and improving the trails. The mileposts allow people who need help while on the trails to call 911 and give their exact location. People feel safer and first responders can get to the scene quickly when help is needed.
*CTC DESIGNS AND INSTALLS WAYFINDING SIGNS ON SALISBURY'S COASTAL TRAILS
To help people navigate Salisbury’s Coastal Trails CTC designed and installed Wayfinding Signs on both the Marsh Trail and the Ghost Trail. With the help of the Salisbury DPW we installed signposts at each trail entrance that include a map of the trail system and give directions and distances to key destinations. We used Salisbury Adopt-a-Trail funds for the signs and posts.
*CTC PRESENTS "RIDING BIKES WITH THE DUTCH" AT THE FIREHOUSE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
CTC sponsored the East Coast premiere of the documentary “Riding Bikes with the Dutch” at the Firehouse Center for the Arts on March 3. This inspirational and fun film showed how riding bikes is integrated into everyday life in Holland while highlighting Long Beach,California’s efforts to shift from a car-centered lifestyle. If you missed the event, here is a taste of it:
*CTC SPONSORS FIRST SLOW BIKE RACE FUNDRAISER
Young and old alike had fun at CTC’s and the region’s first Slow Bike Race Fundraiser on May 1. This “How Slow Can You Go?”race featured slow motion “racing” and last minute surprises. The winner was the last “racer” over the finish line who did not touch a foot to the ground. Prizes were awarded for the slowest racer, most fundraising and best costume.
*CTC CO-SPONSORS 5K FUN RUN AND WALK ON THE MARSH TRAIL
CTC and the Salisbury Parks and Recreation Commission co-sponsored a second annual 5KFun Run and Walk on the Marsh Trail on May 1. Participants enjoyed a run or a brisk walk along the trail on a beautiful spring day.
*CTC FUNDRAISER AT FLATBREAD COMPANY
CTC sponsored another fundraiser at Flatbread Company in Amesbury on June 7. Lots of people turned out and had a good time eating pizza and meeting and greeting each other. We are very appreciative of Flatbread Company’s support of CTC and other community groups through its pizza revenue-sharing fundraisers.
*CTC PROVIDES FUNDS TO SUPPORT TRAIL DEVELOPMENT
CTC uses its funds to assist in developing and improving our trails. During 2011 CTC made the following grants:
$10,000 paid toward Salisbury’s matching funds for Border to Boston Trail design ($5,000 from CTC and $5,000 from grants made to CTC for the trail design.
$3,000 paid toward Newbury’s matching funds for Border to Boston Trail design
$1,100 paid for Salisbury’s Wayfinding Signs from Salisbury Adopt-a-Trail funds
$600 paid for Amesbury’s Adopt-a-Trail sign program
$390 grant to the Town of Salisbury for third party review of Salisbury Rail Trail Connector plans for conservation permitting, and
$200 to search the title to the right of way needed to make a trail connection between Salisbury and Amesbury.
Coastal Trails Coalition
PO Box 1016
Newburyport, MA 01950 Contact CTC
The Coastal Trails Coalition was formed in 2004 with support from the Essex National Heritage Commission, the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.
*CTC DESIGNS AND INSTALLS WAYFINDING SIGNS ON SALISBURY'S COASTAL TRAILS
