By Liz King
Staff Writer
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NEWBURYPORT — The official opening of the Newburyport and Salisbury rail trails was a celebration of connections, local and state officials said yesterday.
Newburyport's Clipper City Rail Trail connects the downtown and North End neighborhoods; it connects outsiders to the city via the commuter rail; it connects to the neighboring town of Salisbury; it connects residents to the trail's past history as a freight train line; and the work itself was done through connections between city and state officials, as well as local organizations, businesses and residents.
"The community can walk safely from the North End to downtown to the Black Cow restaurant to the Firehouse, down the boardwalk to Michael's Harborside," state Rep. Michael Costello said. "It's transforming — this trail."
Hundreds gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the harbor overlook near the Gillis Bridge, where citations were given to Jerry Klima, Bill Steelman and Geordie Vining, who all worked tirelessly on the project, Costello said.
"I've been working on the trail longer than my daughter has been alive," Vining said. "Seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of people enjoying it makes it all worthwhile."
His daughter, Madelyn, 7, and son, Jesse, 12, accompanied him to the ribbon-cutting of the project he's been working on nearly every day for the past decade.
"We live in a beautiful, historic community," Vining said. "This modern rail trail fits right in and is help making Newburyport a better place to live and visit."
Costello said the trail is one of the best projects he's worked on. And the hard work is paying off — he's on the trail almost every day, often biking with his children or going on early morning runs.
"It was a labor of love for 10 years," Costello said. "I must have looked at the plans 1 million times, but when I walk around and see families and children using this, it's better than I could have imagined."
Costello said the project was a partnership between the city, state and federal governments.
The state and federal government contributed approximately $1.6 million in transportation funding and various other grants for the Clipper City Rail Trail.
The Old Eastern Marsh Trail in Salisbury was designed and built with $1.3 million of federal and state highway funds.
A $50,000 Recreational Trails Grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation funded rail trail finishing touches, like benches and other amenities.
"On behalf of DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr., we're privileged and delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate along with the municipalities and state for such a momentous occasion," said Gary Davis Jr., general counsel of DCR.
The Seaport Advisory Council, chaired by Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, contributed $450,000 for the Harborwalk Extension linking Cashman Park and the downtown.
A $50,000 DCR Recreational Trails Grant supported the Harborwalk Extension.
The painting and rehab of the Route 1 Andrew J. Gillis Bridge cost approximately $2.6 million.
Local businesses sponsor and take part in upkeep for the trail, including ENPRO Services, Inc.
"With our equipment yard having housed the former locomotive roundhouse, we feel that ENPRO is connected to this historical resource," said David Cowie, chief operating officer of ENPRO. "The trail has the promise of being a great asset to the community and a wonderful way for families to spend time outdoors, and ENPRO is looking forward to playing a role in sustaining its future."
Congressman John Tierney jokingly referred to the project as the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality act, as the trail will undoubtedly improve traffic congestion in the city, as well as air quality, due to more people walking and biking on the trail.
Jay Havighurst of Essex was there to celebrate the trail's opening, even though he's been on it since it was "mud," he said.
"I've watched it be created," said Havighurst, curator of Somerby's Landing Sculpture Park. "It's nice to see it being celebrated — it's a great day for the city."
Murray believes the trail will also help the city's economic development, creating more jobs because of increased tourism and travel.
"This is the epitome of what a good plan is all about," Murray said. "It's a huge plus for the environment — you're getting people to walk and use bikes, and it's helping to create jobs and making it an area to invest in."
Costello said the rail trail was a precursor to another project, the "loop," which will connect the entire city.
Both the Clipper City Rail and Old Eastern Marsh trails are part of a bigger endeavor to connect the whole North Shore — mainly Newburyport, Salisbury, Newbury and Amesbury.
"Our history and identity in Massachusetts is tied to the sea," Murray said. "Water is a big part of who we are, and there's few communities that showcase it like Newburyport."
