Welcome to the Mason Square Community Rail-Trail

In the heart of Springfield’s McKnight Neighborhood there is a long-forgotten railroad corridor that stretches around the neighborhood like a lucky horseshoe. Nestled between dozens of homes and Oak Grove Cemetery, industrial areas, and long tracts of hidden woods, lies a great opportunity for the McKnight Neighborood , the Mason Square Community, and the City of Springfield.

The abandoned rail corridor, now called the Mason Square Community Rail-Trail, is approximately two miles in length. The tracks have been removed, but the wooden rail ties still remain—now almost entirely hidden beneath the flora and fauna.

The former corridor is a testament to the great possibilities and diversity of the neighborhood and city. On portions of the trail there are no visible structures—only trees rise up quietly from rail banks that once rumbled with passing freight cars. What a blessing to be surrounded by nature, and to feel alone in a city of 150,000. Walk a little farther, and giant blue industrial fuel storage tanks rise up, a reminder of our city’s industrial past and present. An old train bridge still stands on its granite foundation, its steel girders waiting for new wooden planks to hold up hikers and bikers. A hawk circles over the dry grass and disappears into the woods. In a sense, the corridor is a linear park that gets few visitors, but has a growing fan base.

In brief, what we’re trying to do is to turn the abandoned rail line into a hiking and biking trail. A task no doubt easier said than done. We can do it, but we cannot do it alone. Go for a hike on this blog to learn more about the trail. If you would like to learn how you can get involved, please contact us—and don’t forget to take a virtual tour of the trail while you’re here.



The Arch of Recreation as seen by Urban Design Students

Students at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst — Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, have provided the below images. Dubbed the Arch of Recreation by the urban design students, their representations of the trail reflect a creative and thoughtful approach to the corridor's full potential.

To see more of their work, scroll down and click on the slideshow.

This is a sketch of the gas storage tank between the trail and Albany Street. Like the slide show on this blog that has photos of the gas tank, this sketch also shows the potential beauty of the tanks.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Why Does Springfield Need a Rail-Trail

Springfield and Massachusetts Need Exercise

Exercise can help fight obesity and improve general health. For example, walking the rail trail twice, at a moderate pace, could burn approximately 400 calories. Not to mention that you’ll enjoy the fresh air and have a good time in your
community and city.

Why Fight obesity

* People who are overweight are more likely to develop disabling conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, and other disorders.

*Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise amongst young children.

*If something doesn’t change, obesity will overtake smoking as the number one cause of preventable deaths in Massachusetts.

Our effort to create a rail-trail is in sync with the Commonwealth’s effort to fight obesity with a healthier and more active lifestyle. Massachusetts recently created, Mass in Motion, a program that aims to promote wellness, and prevent obesity by focusing on healthy eating and physical activity. Springfield subsequently received a grant that helped create the Wellness Council. The Council’s primary task is to prioritize wellness initiatives that support healthy eating and active living.


Reduce Pollution and Automobile Congestion

The City of Springfield is the only municipality in the Pioneer Valley still in non-compliance with the federal Clean Air Act, both for carbon monoxide and ozone.

A rail trail would offer a non-motorized alternative to get from one place to another. Fewer cars on the road means less pollution in the air—less pollution equals fewer kids exposed to harmful pollutants

A Place to Exercise and Ride Your Bike Safely

There is a need for bike paths in the city. It doesn’t make sense to leave the city by car just so you can ride your bike safely. And if you’ve ridden a bike in Springfield, you know just how dangerous it can be: constantly looking over your shoulder for cars; watching out for people opening their doors into the bike’s right of way; nervously scanning the pockmarked street for a pothole deep enough to swallow bicycle and rider.The rail-trail offers the potential to safely ride your bike within your community.

Quality of Life

Springfield blends big city lights with small town charm. The McKnight neighborhood is a perfect example of this—Victorian homes close to downtown retain their old-time grandeur on stately tree-lined streets. The people in the McKnight neighborhood want to be able to exercise and move within their community safely. A rail-trail is a quality of life amenity that can retain and attract residents to Springfield.
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