Worcester, and the Blackstone Valley communities to the south, have a trail that, with public support and leadership, could easily compete with Frederick Law Olmsted’s famous system of parks.
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Metropolitan Boston has it’s Emerald Necklace Trail, Frederick Law Olmsted's famous system of parks running from the shaded boulevard on Commonwealth Avenue to the popular shores of Jamaica Pond to the winding paths of the Arnold Arboretum. It serves as an oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Worcester, and the Blackstone Valley communities to the south, have a trail that, with public support and leadership, could easily compete with Olmsted’s vision.
Worcester’s Emerald Pendant Trail is actually the Blackstone River Bikeway, a 46-mile, as-yet-uncompleted path to connect downtown Worcester with Providence, and then to the East Bay Path to Newport. This vision of a bikeway along the Blackstone River linking New England’s second and third largest cities could bring economic and recreational benefits that accompanied the completion of the Blackstone Canal two centuries ago.
Bicycle riders, walkers, runners, even cross-country skiers have patiently waited for years for Massachusetts to complete the Blackstone River Bikeway. Locals and visitors enjoy small segments in Worcester and Millbury, thanks to the Mass Turnpike when it constructed the Route 146 connector and Worcester’s urban bike paths.
Another popular section was constructed in South Uxbridge, Millville and part of Blackstone a decade ago, thanks to Central Massachusetts champion Timothy Murray, when he was lieutenant governor. In her last year, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, a strong advocate for Central Massachusetts, has an opportunity, as Murray did, to leave a legacy for the voters in our region to benefit the regional economy, as well as the health of all residents.
Congressman Jim McGovern and valley legislators pledged their support for finishing the bikeway, but they need the outgoing Baker-Polito Administration and the rest of the Worcester and Central Mass. delegation to commit state government to the task. There are two important bills under consideration on Beacon Hill that could advance the opportunity to build more miles of the bikeway. House Bill 4336, the Governor’s Capital Outlay Bond bill, and House Bill 2, the FY’23 State Budget, are ideally suited to fund much of the project.
A bikeway segment in Blackstone and the trail in Douglas are both designed and essentially shovel-ready, once the state releases funding. Other segments in Uxbridge need design funds and the towns of Northbridge, Sutton, Grafton, and Millbury must settle on a final route through their communities.
These projects urgently need champions to make them happen. Valley businesses and residents can make these improvements happen by contacting the governor and our local legislators to fight for the needed funding.
Richard T. Moore of Uxbridge is the chair of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor and a former state senator.
