Having attended some of the recent Master Plan update sessions, one of the areas of discussion involved connecting the neighborhoods with downtown and vice versa via bike routes and walking paths, and generally improving access across the City. The "Sustainability" theme addresses "walkability" as a critical goal and the City is to be commended for its foresight in this area.So, once again we're seeing the partnership between the City and the LNHP in action as the Riverwalk extension will continue the "walk" from Boott Mills under the Cox (Bridge St.) Bridge along the mills to the Concord River inlet into the Merrimack River (see photo). Plans for the extension to MCC and the Lowell Memorial Auditorium are also in progress, with a total of $2.3 million needed to complete the package. My hope is that a pedestrian access point is planned at the Bridge Street Bridge.
Furthermore, the LNHP also has plans to extend the Riverwalk along Pawtucket Blvd. from the Esplanade to the School Street Bridge, and, to create a park at the Spaulding House grounds with a short extension to the Middlesex Canal area. Work along the downtown "canal walks" also continues. So the LNHP is well ahead of the funding with the planning. Thank you to grantwriter Christina Briggs for keeping an eye out for all available grants, and, to the City and LNHP in general for their foresight and perseverance.
Cross Posts:
City Manager's Blog
Canal and Riverwalk Map
Cross Posts:
City Manager's Blog
Canal and Riverwalk Map
