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Date: 6/29/2022
WESTFIELD — A recent survey conducted by the Friends of Columbia Greenway Rail Trail (FOCGRT) indicates that people would like to see an array of programs, improved signage and more amenities on the hiking and biking route.
The results of 119 responses were reported in the group’s June newsletter. Don Podolski, a FOCGRT board member, said the number of responses was in line with expectations, though where they lived surprised him. He said 67 percent of the respondents were Westfield residents, while around 22 percent lived in Connecticut. “That surprised me that so many are from Connecticut,” he said.
The 12-question survey covered questions such as whether people would use the trail in the winter, if FOCGRT should offer children’s activities, if respondents felt downtown Westfield is cycle-friendly, and what would encourage them to visit local attractions from the trail. When asked about amenities, the majority wanted restrooms along the trail, while others chose water fountains, benches, historical information and even a Little Free Library or floral display.
Podolski said the group is still reviewing the responses and seeing what can be done. He said they plan to speak with the city to see about installing restrooms along the trail, but have not done so yet, as the downtown portion of the trail is not complete. Increased signage is also going to wait until the remainder of the trail is finished.
“One of the things we’ll look into is assisting businesses with bike ramps,” said Podolski.
The trail follows a former railroad bed from the Southwick town line to just north of the Westfield River, though the portion between Main Street and the south bank of the river is not yet open. That leg of the project was supposed to be finished by April, but contractor New England Infrastructure ran into delays raising the former railroad bridge over Elm Street, and has received a one-year extension from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), with a revised completion date of April 2023.
In a recent open letter to MassDOT, the Westfield City Council, Mayor Michael McCabe and acting City Engineer Mark Cressotti, FOCGRT publicly asked for an update on progress and a partial opening of the downtown section.
“Since it was announced in April that MassDOT had approved of the extension, there has been no clear plan of action that outlines when work will commence,” the letter read. “We have heard that equipment has been approved to jack up the bridge by NEI and is waiting for MassDOT approval. We have heard speculation that by June we will see active work occurring. However, through the past two construction cycles, there has been negligible work on the Elm Street Bridge. It began last August and abruptly came to a stop. Every day as we pass under the bridge and see no work going on, we have difficulty staying confident that NEI plans to complete the work.”
The group asks that a timeframe for the project be posted to the city’s website outlining when the work will begin and how long it is expected to take. Other bridges have been installed, trail has been paved, and fencing and lighting line the trail between Main Street and the Elm Street access ramp.
“The Columbia Greenway Rail Trail is a beloved resource of the Westfield community, and we feel frustrated that Central Section construction remains at a standstill,” the letter read. “Furthermore, the sections that are unopened are vandalized routinely due to lack of legitimate use. Please provide us with a timetable in which this work will be done, so that we can have some degree of confidence that by next April, the Central Section will indeed be open. In the meantime, we call on you to open the Central Section between Main Street and the Elm Street access ramp.”
Podolski said the ultimate goal is to extend the rail trail north of its current terminus at Women’s Temperance Park on North Elm Street, to connect it with the rail trail network in Easthampton, Northampton and Southampton. The southern end of the Columbia Greenway already connects to the Southwick Rail Trail, which links to rail trails in Connecticut.