The DCR held a hearing Monday night on connecting the bike trail that runs from Eliot and Central out t Pope John Paul Park to the one under construction that runs from Mattapan Square out Truman Parkway and the overall public response was markedly different from the initial reception a bike path proposal received several years ago.

Overall the public is supportive of the connection. This is in contrast to years ago when their was resistance to the bike path due to security and crime concerns. But now there is a bike path and it is heavily used and greatly appreciated. While one Milton resident did speak and voiced the crime concerns related to the connection made to Mattapan. It was a minority voice.

There are five proposals being reviewed. One would run the path up the Mattapan side, one up the Milton side and a couple involve bridges that would cut over from one side to the other.

There was a sentiment to have it on the Mattapan side as that community does not yet share in the direct benefit of having a portion of the trail in their backyard. Currently Milton, Dorchester, and Hyde Park all have the trail running through a part of their neighborhood. Putting the trail through Mattapan would integrate the trail with that community also. One possible hiccup to that is historic preservation of Native American archeological sites.

Representative Forry and Mattapan Councillor Yancey advocated for a trail that would put a bridge between the communities.

The DCR is allowing for a 30 comment period. You can find their web site here.

You can find a copy of the DCR presentation here.