THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021 Page 15 Bike to the Sea’s trail targeted for completion 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. 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 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 SACHEM | FROM PAGE 14 poor who need medical care. Pujols by the end of the nity Parks program as well as additional funding from Malden and Everett. However, another financial push will be needed to 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 The Northern Strand Community Trail begins in Everett and travels through Malden, Revere and Saugus. The final 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) 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 first community to sign a lease with the MBTA, which allowed construction of the trail to begin. 2018 season ranked in the top ten players in major league history in four career statistical categories: home runs Malden, Saugus and Revere joined the effort soon thereafter. Between 2010 and 2015, Winslow said, officials 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 (fifth), runs batted in (third), total bases (fifth), and doubles (fifth). He was ranked ninth in career batting averMalden City Councillor and co-Founder of Bike to the Sea Stephen Winslow 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 Commuage (.302), second in slugging percentages (.554). He has been named by many as one of the all-time 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.” greatest hitters. Maybe if we are lucky, he will join the Red Sox and end his career in Boston.
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