Community Corner
MBTA and Town of Medfield Sign Medfield Rail Trail Lease
The MassDOT Board has approved a 99-year lease with the Town of Medfield for a 1.3 mile segment of the former Bay Colony Railroad line
MBTA and Town of Medfield Sign Medfield Rail Trail Lease
Construction of the Rail Trail Scheduled for Summer 2021
The MassDOT Board has approved a 99-year lease with the Town of Medfield for a 1.3 mile segment of the former Bay Colony Railroad line. The town plans to build a multi-use trail along the unused rail corridor, from Ice House Road to the Dover Town Line.
The lease agreement transfers maintenance of the property to the Town of Medfield, and the Town, in turn, will dispose of the existing rail and ties and oversee the construction of the rail trail.
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The rail trail project in Medfield was initiated by the Friends of the Medfield Rail Trail (FMRT), a group of Medfield residents who, along with the Bay Colony Rail Trail Association (BCRTA), proposed the building of the trail, conducted feasibility studies, and brought the initiative to a town vote which was approved in May 2018. The group raised funds from private donations via the Medfield Foundation and submitted grants to pay for the entire cost of construction and additional insurance. The FMRT is helping the town manage the bid process and building projects.
The Medfield Board of Selectmen applied for a Determination of Applicability to the Medfield Conservation Commission to ensure that wetlands near the trail path are protected throughout the building of the trail and beyond. The Conservation Commission granted approval of the application in February of this year.
Find out what's happening in Medfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
With the signing of the lease, the Town will purchase insurance required by the MBTA, with funds provided by the FMRT. The Town of Medfield will put the project out for bid through an invitation for bid process and construction is planned for this summer. Once started, construction could be completed within two months.
The Medfield Rail Trail will provide a flat, easy walking, running, horse riding and biking trail for people of all ages. The trail, along with its connection to the Bay Circuit Trail, opens up safe links to hundreds of acres of town-owned recreation areas, and the former Medfield State Hospital campus.
The FMRT will update the Bay Colony Rail Trail Facebook page with progress and milestones on the project.
About the Friends of Medfield Rail Trail
The Friends of Medfield Rail Trail (FMRT) is a volunteer group of residents working toward the implementation of the Medfield Rail Trail. The mission of the FMRT is to make the Medfield Rail Trail a reality. FMRT welcomes volunteers to help with this effort. If interested please contact FMRT at medfieldrailtrail@gmail.com.
The FMRT, a Medfield Foundation initiative, is seeking additional private donations so construction of the Rail Trail can commence in 2021. Tax-deductible donations can be made either online at Medfieldfoundation.org, or checks can be mailed to MFi, Medfield Town Hall, 459 Main St, Medfield, MA 02052. Please contact Abby Marble at (508) 359-5370 with any questions regarding the Medfield Foundation, or Michael Taylor at (508) 878-6599 to learn more about the Friends of Medfield Rail Trail.