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Date: 9/20/2022
HATFIELD – Diana Szynal, chair of the Select Board, announced a meeting about the Connecticut River Bike Trail last week by saying, “We know there has been a lot of interest in this – a lot of opposition to this, from what I’m hearing – so we’re holding an informational meeting on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.”
The controversial bike path, part of a 200-mile system of trails under development in the commonwealth, will enter the town in the Elm Court area and follow a course along the river, with a total length of 1.35 miles. Northampton’s former Director of Planning and Sustainability, Wayne Feiden, will lead a discussion about the project that’s been in the planning stages for more than 12 years.
Feiden’s information about the bike path, featured on the town website, lists the benefits of the project, which include access to the trail system and its great beauty. The bike trail may also stimulate home prices and bring business to the town from riders stopping to nosh and buy a drink.
Several new developments energized the proposed bike path project. Hatfield received a Mass Trails grant that will pay for design services until next June. The commonwealth’s transportation funding bill for fiscal year 2023 also included $300,000 toward costs of the project in Hatfield.
The Northampton Shared Use Path Feasibility Study was also completed this year by design firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB). The study concluded the trail will be “a tremendous amenity for residents for both Northampton and Hatfield.”
According to VHB’s information, completing the link between Hatfield and Northampton will extend bicycle access to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Florence, Easthampton and Amherst center. The design firm noted that bicyclists have no safe place to ride on Rt. 5, north of the River Valley Co-op. The proposed trail would link into Damon Road, which then links to King Street or the Norwottuck Rail Trail.
Residents’ concerns about the project may arise from the right-of-way required. According to the information from VHB, the footprint of the rail trail will extend 15 feet from the center of the trail to the outermost fencing to either side. A 30-foot right-of-way is significant and may be considered an unfavorable change in the neighborhood.
A related difficulty may involve two trail bridges that will cross deep gullies. The spans 14 feet wide, with abutments at each end, and reach lengths of 135 feet and 230 feet. The spans clarify the substantial scope of work involved, which concerns local property owners.
Another concern may be the trail alignment. Funding from the commonwealth or federal government will necessitate a shift in the layout away from an existing dirt path. The changeability of the footprint may induce anxiety among homeowners who want to be certain of the location of the path before they support it.
Parking accommodations was a concern among residents who fear bicyclists will be dumped off into public roads and create traffic issues. Town Administrator Marlene Michonski was aware of questions. Michonski was also aware of residents who support the proposed bike path.
“There are people who are in opposition to it,” Michonski said. “I know there are also people who support the idea of a bike path. I’ve spoken with one resident on Elm Court, and he expressed concern about the number of cars that could potentially park there, on Elm Court, and prompt people to hang around in that neighborhood.”
Szynal recognized the need to accommodate the many interested parties. In making her announcement of the Sept. 22 meeting she said, “We’re holding that over at Smith Academy, to accommodate the folks we expect to attend.”
The meeting with Feiden, the Hatfield Select Board and Open Space Committee is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at Smith Academy.