Trail Improvements

Trail Projects completed in 2019:

  1. Paving the last unpaved section of rail trail in Leeds. Grant and CPA funded
  2. Removal of about 40 hazard trees in Florence and Leeds. Grant funded
  3. Repair worst of root damage and drainage problems between King Street and Earle Street. Grant funded
  4. Built 1 mile of trail from Burts Pit Road to Overlook to Sandy Hill. Grant and CPA funded
  5. Advance trail from Route 10 to Route 66 to get on the TIP. Federal and state funding line
  6. Began shared use bicycle/pedestrian path from Bridge Street to the MassCentral. Part of the Exit 19 roundabout

Trail Projects completed in 2020:

  1. With help from the Saw Mill Hill fundraiser, the City of Northampton purchased a chunk of land to expand the Saw Mill Hill Greenway in Florence.
  2. The City of Northampton purchased the Beaver Brook Greenway between the bike path and Saint Mary’s Cemetery.
  3. Northampton is also about to close on a trail easement from behind Saint Mary’s Cemetery to Haydenville Road/Route 9. It is an extremely generous donation from Peter and Stephanie Flinker. Thank you both for this donation!

Trail Projects completed in 2021:

  1. Roots removal and repaving at two locations: along the train tracks just east of King St, and along the spur to Easthampton near the Smith College stables.
  2. Purchase of 45 acres of conservation land in Leeds that abuts the rail trailwhere it crosses Beaver Brook
  3. Beautification project in Florence consisting of the clearing of brush and planting of 45 native, flowering shrubs
  4. Painting of murals on the rail trail pavement at 4 intersections in Florence
  5. Removal of dead and dangerous trees abutting the trail in Florence between Bardwell St and Bridge Rd

Trail Projects planned for 2021:

  1. Start design and construction of the Northampton One Trail: “Develop a ONE Northampton trail that encircles the city, building on existing trails, adding trails where there are gaps, with a good treadway, consistent signing.”
  2. Edwards Square/North Street bike path access ramp
  3. Design lower Pleasant Street (Hockanum Road to Roundabout) to explore bike lanes
  4. Start redesigning of Main Street, downtown, and explore bicycle accommodations
  5. Complete shared use bicycle/pedestrian path from Bridge Street to MassCentral
  6. Begin bicycle friendly roundabout at North King and Hatfield
  7. Bidding for King Street with bicycle accomodations from North Street to the MassCentral trail crossing
  8. Begin initial design for long term plan of trail from Damon Road to Elm Court in Hatfield
  9. Hadley/Northampton bridge rehabilitation project – the Calvin Coolidge Bridge on Route 9 over the Connecticut River (bike lanes to come!)
  10. Reconstruction of Damon Road, from Route 9 to Route 5. Includes drainage system repairs and slope stabilization at the Norwottuck Rail Trail
  11. Easthampton/Northampton – installation of a shared-use path along Mount Tom Road from the Manhan Trail to Atwood Drive



Updates adapted from:

Wayne Feiden, FAICP
Director of Planning & Sustainability
City of Northampton