THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 21, 2021 Page 3 Bike to the Sea’s trail targeted for completion trail. “An additional $8 million investment will be necessary to connect the trail along Lynn Common, Market Street and Lynn Shore Drive to the beach,” said Winslow. Speaking about the number of residents who use the trail, Winslow said a counter was installed in Malden and recorded 50,000 pedestrians and bicyclists in July 2020. In addition, Winslow said residents can use the trail to access the Mystic River Trail in Everett. “The Northern Strand has been designated to be part of the East Coast Greenway/Bike Route 1 which extends off and on-road from Maine to Key West, Florida,” he said. Looking ahead, Jonah Chiarenza, executive director of Bike to the Sea, said he would like to have ongoing trail runs and clean ups to “develop synergies for economic investment and improved access to recreation.” The Northern Strand Community Trail begins in Everett and travels through Malden, Revere and Saugus. The fi nal leg of the trail is expected to be completed by the end of the year, taking it to Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservation. (Photo Courtesy of Bike to the Sea) By Christopher Roberson N early 30 years after it was established, Bike to the Sea is expected to have its rail trail project, the Northern Strand Community Trail, mostly completed by the end of the year. S t ephen Winslo w , co-founder of Bike to the Sea, said he and his wife Helen created the organization in 1993 after discovering that the roads and drivers in Malden were “very hostile to bicyclists.” “When we moved to Malden we found the roads and drivers were very hostile to bicyclists and no real convenient trails,” he said. “About the same time, the Minuteman Trail was being built along a former rail line through Arlington and proved popular with people of all ages. We thought that the overgrown and little-used Saugus Branch Rail Line offered the same opportunity, so Helen and I formed Bike to the Sea to pursue the idea.” In 1996, the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization determined that using the Saugus Branch Rail Line to Lynn would be the best option for the trail rather than running it along Rumney Marsh to Revere. Winslow said that in 2005, “after a decade of study and negotiations,” Everett was the fi rst community to sign a lease with the MBTA, which allowed construction of the trail to begin. Malden, Saugus and Revere joined the effort soon thereafter. Between 2010 and 2015, Winslow said, offi cials in Everett, Malden, Saugus and Revere worked to clear the railbed and convert it into a bike trail. He said that earlier this year a bridge was installed over the Saugus River, and the section of the trail under Route 1 in Revere was paved. In addition, he said construction is underway in Everett to connect the trail to the Mystic River. The last leg of the project will be to bring the trail to an end at Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservation. Winslow said that over the Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow Co-Founder of Bike to the Sea years Bike to the Sea has received approximately $18 million from the Gateway Community Parks program as well as additional funding from Malden and Everett. However, another fi nancial push will be needed to complete the AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is your vehicle ready for the Summer Season?!! Recharge your vehicle's AC for the warm weather! Includes up to 1 LB. of Refrigerant* (*Most Vehicles/Some Restrictions May Apply) AC SPECIAL Only $69.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2005 FORD F-150 XLT Excellent Vehicle Inside & Out!, Leather Interior, Fully Loaded, Clean Title, Warranty, Only 68,000 Miles! TRADES WELCOME! X-CAB EDITION, 4X4, Most Power Options, Clean Title, Warranty, Only 105K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! TRADES WELCOME! $5,300 $7,995 (781) 321-8841 • (617) 571-9869 Easy Financing Available! 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com Vehicle! We Pay Cash For Your 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA LTZ
4 Publizr Home