From Press Release Materials
As we approach the end of 2017 and the start of 2018, there is good news to report. We are working to complete the long awaited bike path and to make bicycling more popular in the region. More cycling and walking across our town, region and society creates safer and healthier conditions for everyone!
Construction of the long awaited off-road connection from the Village to Fairhaven should begin in the foreseeable future.
●In November 2017, Town Meeting supported the project with three important votes.
●The outstanding details that needed to be coordinated between various divisions of MassDOT were addressed in the “final comment resolution meeting” held in November 2017. ●The approved MassDOT design schedule shows that bidding should occur in May 2018, leading to a construction contract before October 2018.
Now that we are very sure we will see the Bike Path to the Village, we are setting our sites on connecting to Marion.
The paved, multi-use path will extend an existing bike path in Fairhaven eastward, so that the central village of Mattapoisett will be connected to the town of Fairhaven and points west. This is an extraordinary mile of bike path! It will be scenic and spectacular, crossing the Mattapoisett River estuary, salt marshes, and the Town Beach at the head of Mattapoisett Harbor. It will reconnect neighborhoods and conservation areas with car-free biking and walking.
Known as the “Shining Tides” mile, the exceptional route is only possible because 150 years ago a railroad ran through this lush, environmentally sensitive area. The train stopped running in 1956. To put a bike path here is a rare opportunity, but due to the fragile location, design and construction are quite expensive.
To learn more visit https://mattapoisettrailtrail.com/ or https://www.gofundme.com/Matt-Rail-Trail
For 2018 we are calling on supporters to get involved in several areas, including the Marion Connection. A committee has formed but still needs members for the design/construction oversight subcommittee and the fundraising subcommittee.
The Tour de Crème needs organizers for ride logistics and day-of-ride (Especially ride ambassadors and event set up) so that this family friendly event will fulfill its promise as a signature community awareness and fundraising event. The 2018 Tour de Crème will occur Sunday, May 20, 2018. This is the week before Memorial Day. We have sold out the two previous years, but due to safety and logistics we will keep our participant cap at 300 in 2018.
Supporters who don’t ride and can’t volunteer should consider being part of a fundraising challenge. People have a great time at this event and we look forward to increasing fundraising involvement with Tour de Crème participants. Fundraising at the grass roots level is needed to convince major donors and foundations to support local efforts.
We also are looking for a core group of parents to help develop a consistent program of bike safety in Mattapoisett schools. It is becoming more and more established that safety on the roads is a concerted effort of better engineering, better and more education, and better laws and enforcement of them. Supporters who advocate within our schools will be helping to create a great start for learning the rules of the road and being a savvy cyclist even before the kids get behind the wheel of a car.
And finally, we’d like a few more committee members added to our core group of Directors to help keep things running smoothly at our Harbor Days booth, to represent us at the Town, at statewide and regional advocacy organizations, South Coast Bikeway Alliance; MassBike.
If you are considering a donation you can do so electronically on our Gofundme Page at https://www. gofundme.com/Matt-Rail-Trail
We are a 501c3 Non Profit Corporation. Checks can be sent to Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, PO BOX 1336, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.
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Click here to download the entier 1/11/18 issue: 01-11-18 BoatsInIce
