The Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee (FCRTC) has had a productive spring and summer! The big news: You should be able to walk a portion of the trail next spring!

The town of Framingham has obtained an easement for the Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT) from Route 30 to the Massachusetts Turnpike, and a license from the Turnpike to Old Connecticut Path. A “Phase 1” design, which includes two corporate driveway crossings, is nearly complete. Once the design is approved and implemented, we can open the trail from Route 30 to Old Connecticut Path.

Meanwhile, a variety of events increased awareness of the trail and helped people in the community learn more about this unique project.

In this issue of the CRT newsletter:

• Building the Trail
• Events
• Outreach
• Future Concerns
• Helping the CRT

BUILDING THE TRAIL
Progress with the MBTA
As mentioned above, The Mass Bay Transit Authority has granted two short-term licenses to the town. One license will allow the public to use the trail from the Mass Turnpike to Old Connecticut Path, and the other will facilitate the reconstruction of the two bridges north of Old Connecticut Path. The town has hired environmental attorney Stephen Winslow to assist with negotiations for a long-term lease of the Turnpike to School Street section.

Railroad Ties Removed
During May, most of the remaining railroad ties were removed from the trail south of the Mass Turnpike. The Framingham Department of Public Works and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority teamed up to pull seven piles of ties out of the wetlands and transport them to a disposal facility. Our committee assisted with planning, permitting, and wetland mitigation.

Bridge Reconstruction
Reconstruction of the two bridges that cross Cochituate Brook has started. Trinity Industries installed fencing around the bridges and removed the railroad ties. The town of Framingham completed its inspection and has found them to be safe and suitable for reconstruction. If all goes well, the replacement of the decks and railings should take place sometime in 2006.

School Street Gate
During September, the town installed a gate at the School Street trail entrance to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the trail. A "Future CRT" sign and a brochure holder will be added soon.

EVENTS
Spring Clean-Up
Approximately 30 people joined us in May to clear brush, weeds, and trash from the trail. We prepared for the removal of the railroad ties by clearing branches, marking the piles, and installing silt fencing. We could not hold these events without everyone’s help, so THANK YOU!

National Trails Day
In June, Eastern Mountain Sports joined forces with the FCRTC to co-sponsor a trail tour and a slide show at its Natick store. We had a great turnout and introduced many new people to the trail.

Discover Saxonville
We participated in this Framingham community event on a hot day in June. Many people came out early, learned about the trail and picked up copies of our new brochure.

Upcoming CRT Events
Fall Clean Up – Saturday, October 1, 9:00am – 3:00pm. Details at www.CRTrail.org
Tour of the CRT – Sunday, October 16, 10:00am – 11:30am. Details at www.CRTrail.org

OUTREACH
New Brochures
Our new trail brochure debuted in June! This colorful pamphlet highlights the benefits of the CRT and has an easy to read map. Over the summer CRT volunteers constructed brochure holders and placed them on the trail near the TJX driveway and Old Connecticut Path. Brochures are available in these holders as well as at local bike and outdoor shops.

FUTURE CONCERNS
Natick Mall Expansion
Construction of the new Natick Mall has begun and the first phase is expected to be completed in 2007. Our committee has been working hard to ensure that the CRT will be integrated into this project. The developer has agreed to construct a multi-use trail on the Mall property, provide first-class bicycle accommodations, and provide a safe crossing of Speen Street. The old "Wonder Bread Spur" rail line could be used to connect the Natick Mall Trail to the CRT. In March, the town of Framingham reached an agreement with the developer which includes:

• $200,000 for trail development
• $30,000 for improvements to the Route 30/Speen Street intersection. New sidewalks will connect the CRT to Route 30 and Speen Street
• $35,000 to extend the Natick Mall Trail to the AMC Theatres

Other Development
D & D Mulch and Landscaping has proposed building a concrete batch plant next to the CRT at 597 Old Connecticut Path in Framingham. The associated building, conveyer belt, 75-foot silo, sand storage, and truck traffic would be offensive to the neighborhood and surrounding areas causing obnoxious noise, vibration and dust on the trail, Cochituate Brook Reservation, and Reardon Park. In August, committee members attended a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing and spoke against this proposal.

Over the past few months Cumberland Farms and the Framingham Planning Board held preliminary discussions regarding redevelopment of the Exxon Station at the intersection of Speen Street and Route 30 which abuts the trail. If this project moves forward our committee will participate in the Planning Board hearings and advocate for new sidewalks, bike racks, and picnic tables as amenities to the trail.

HELPING THE CRT
We look forward to opening a portion of the Cochituate Rail Trail. While this has been a long process, we are encouraged by the progress that we continue to make and will be thrilled to celebrate the trail opening next spring. Our Web site has all the latest information on the CRT project and details about upcoming events. Check it out at www.CRTrail.org.

Special thanks to the following for their recent contributions to the Cochituate Rail Trail:

• Individual and Anonymous financial donations
• The MathWorks and Lowes for recent financial donations
• Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) for sponsoring our National Trails Day activities
• Charles River Canoe and Kayak, Natural Sound, and Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) for sponsoring our new brochure
• Keefe Technical High School and Framingham Parks and Recreation Department for assistance with the School Street gate
• Friends of Saxonville for assistance with publicity and outreach
• Framingham Planning Board for assistance with the Natick Mall expansion project
• Framingham Department of Public Works for assistance with railroad tie removal

Volunteers and community support are crucial to the development of the Cochituate Rail Trail. There are many ways to help out. For more information contact Mark Lamkin at 774-249-0789 or email us.

Don’t forget: Mark your calendars for these dates!
Saturday, October 1, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Fall Clean Up
Sunday, October 16, 10:00 am – 11:30 am. Tour of the CRT

Thank you,
Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee

Please note that the trail is not yet open to the public - we will keep you posted.