Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021 Bike to the Sea’s trail targeted for completion N By Christopher Roberson 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. Stephen Winslow, 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 ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.759 Mid Unleaded $2.879 Super $3.019 Diesel Fuel $2.899 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.569 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A DA SPRING Go GREEN LANDSCAPING & CONSTRUCTION LLC Lawns Cut CLEANUPS CHEAP FREE Estimates and Fully Insured $100 (COUPON YOUR CHOICE * THESE SERVICES ONLY * LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER) NEW SPRING OR FALL FLOWERS * NEW SHRUBS * TREE REMOVAL OUTSIDE PAINTING * JUNK REMOVAL * SIMPLE HANDYMAN REPAIRS * COUPON IS REDEEMABLE FOR NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Services include: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Fertilization * Mulching *Junk Removed * Aeration * New Shrubs/Trees * Demolition * Irrigation Systems * New Lawns/Sod/Seed * Dog Poop Scoping * Dethatching * Tree Removal * Masonry * Lawn Cutting * Stump Removal * Landscaping * Spring/Fall Clean Ups * Gutter Cleaning * Sealcoating * Pruning * New Fences SERVING THE NORTH SHORE 877-688-7667 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) complete the 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.” STEPHEN WINSLOW Malden City Councillor Co-Founder Bike to the Sea 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 off ered 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 eff ort 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 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 Prices subject to change around FLEET
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