Dear Editor:

As Chairman of the Milton Bicycle Advisory Committee, I have been involved in parts of the process to complete the Neponset River Greenway.  The Greenway is a multi-use trail that follows the Neponset River, and is a resource for recreation and transportation.  It’s maintained by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, and is patrolled by the State Police.

The original section, from Central Avenue to Dorchester, is very popular and is used by cyclists, walkers, joggers, dog owners, and rollerbladers, among others. The newest section of the trail, completed last year, connects Mattapan, Milton and Hyde Park along Truman Highway.  It also offers scenic views of the river and is used for exercise and for commuter access to train stations.  The Greenway already connects our community to boat launches, playgrounds, fountains, ball fields, a beach, five train stations, the Farmers Market, many local businesses, Pope John Paul II Park and the Martini Shell, where the DCR shows movies and holds other public events.

The section of the trail between Central and Blue Hill Avenues, as proposed several years ago, would have followed the trolley tracks.  The right-of way already exists, and it would be the most cost-effective solution.  However, many residents of the Capen Street neighborhood voiced concerns, citing added traffic, loss of privacy, the risk of damage from rock blasting, and potential security issues.  So, last year the DCR presented five route options, some of which bypassed the neighborhood entirely.

The Boston Natural Areas Network and the Greenway Council proposed a similar plan, except the trail would cross the trolley tracks at Mattapan Station.  This would protect trail users from River Street, which is narrow and has heavy traffic.  The Milton Bike Committee also supports this plan.

The DCR listened to everybody’s comments.  Since then, they’ve conducted environmental and archaeological studies and met other stakeholders.  They’ll present their new proposal at 7:30 PM on August 30th at the Foley Senior Center, at 249 River Street in Mattapan.  While the DCR hasn’t disclosed details of the plan, I believe that they’ve made every effort possible to meet neighbors’ requests.

It should be noted that MBTA General Manager Richard Davey has stated that the trail will pass through Mattapan.  And Senator Brian Joyce has insisted that the trail will not include Capen Street. More importantly, the DCR recently purchased a property next to the Mattapan Station to serve as a trailhead welcome center.  Given all this, I suspect that we can make an educated guess as to where they plan to build the trail – and I think that it will satisfy the majority of residents on both sides of the river.

For more information, please visit this page at the Bike Milton website:
http://www.bikemilton.org/projects/neponset-greenway-phase-iii