The
Community Path
of
Lynn
The Community Path of Lynn Coalition is a group of community members, nonprofits, and organizations committed to the revitalization of the abandoned Boston and Maine railroad tracks in Lynn, MA. We have successfully engaged the community over the past 10 years to clean and maintain sections of the tracks, and we are just getting started! We envision the railroad tracks converted into a dynamic community space, a safe way to travel through the city by foot or on a bike, and an interactive green space for the residents.
What We're Doing. . . .
As for now, the majority of the railroad runs parallel to a narrow dirt path, bordered by overgrown wild weeds, brush and trash. In certain areas, the trail is directly adjacent to and or travels straight through residential neighborhoods. Surveys collected in the spring and fall of 2016/2017 show that residents whose properties abut the path would like to see the space used to engage the community and provide safe transportation to the waterfront. The path runs from the Saugus River to the MBTA River Works Station that travels to the NorthShore, Boston and beyond. The path continues on to Lynn's up and coming Waterfront Development featuring Marina Park and access to Lynn's beaches. This path will not only unify our community, it is a safe, scenic and direct route connecting isolated neighborhoods with needed resources, events and transportation to new locations along the waterfront like Marina Park. This area will be home to the new arts and culture project called "The Launch" from our friends at Beyond Walls. There are many efforts in the city to utilize and maintain portions of the abandoned tracks. Together, The Community Path of Lynn Coalition and the City of Lynn will focus on revitalizing the railroad and raising the quality of life for all residents in our neighborhoods. We will be working section by section along the route. We believe that areas like the Brickyard Neighborhood, a historically low-income area, deserves to benefit from this revitalization project. Cleaning up and maintaining this section of the path would increase property values, employment, transportation as well as provide residents a space to walk their dogs, exercise, utilize playgrounds etc. But more importantly the path will engage the community with art, culture and creative thinking therefore providing rapid growth in education. Residents would also have a safe and pleasant avenue to travel and appreciate gardens, visit Lynn's new farm that will have a new home although the path as well as the benefits from more frequent Farmers Market/Bazaars that will include growth for local small businesses.
What's next. . .
We are currently working to find funding for infrastructure as well as Community engagement, building out, clean-ups and continued maintenance for all sections of path. Each section has its own designs and projects based on the feed back from the surrounding residents. We have partnered with local youth programs that have committed to providing labor as part of their community service requirements. Lynn residents from neighborhoods all over as well the abutting resident, local businesses, organizations and city workers are ready to sponsor bricks, volunteer their services, equipment and labor to support the project. By starting with a small section of trail, we want to show that our community can transform a blighted area of our city into a beautiful and useful space. With the help of the community, we want to gradually expand our reach, until we are maintaining the entire path. Our goals include perfecting the path while continuing to add more resources, opportunities, arts and culture and create a model catered to our beautifully unique sense of community. The entrances and art installations will commemorate everyone's commitment and hard work. We can all become a part of our city's history that will tell the story about a pathway that united the entire City Of Lynn.
FOR QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT CPLC AT [email protected]