Danvers Rail Trail
The Danvers Rail Trail is a 4 1/3-mile non-motorized shared-use path linking schools, downtown Danvers, parks, residential areas, and trails in the neighboring towns of Peabody, Wenham, and Topsfield.
Ideal for walking, biking, or jogging, the compacted stone dust trail is built along what was once part of the historic Boston to Maine railroad running from Newburyport to Danvers.
The Danvers Rail Trail is managed and maintained by a group of community volunteers and provides a healthful recreational option available to all residents and visitors.
What's New On The Trail!
The RTAC is Looking for Volunteers & Committee Member
The Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC) is a Town Manager appointed committee of nine volunteers with broad representation from the community. This committee, in partnership with the town, is responsible of the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the trail, and ensuring citizen input into trail activities. The committee both guides this work and is actively involved in doing the work.
Volunteers are key to our success in keeping the trail the great town amenity that it is. If you have interest in doing some outdoor work ranging from simple clean up to larger improvement projects, please note your interest by submitting our Contact Us form found here. Much of this work can be done on your own and during times of your choosing.
With Lori Dupont’s move to Virginia, we now need to fill one open position on the Rail Trail Advisory Committee. As a member of this committee, you would be expected to attend monthly RTAC meetings (third Thursday of every month at 6:00 – 7:30 pm), play an active role in trail maintenance and improvement projects, help obtaining grants and other funds, interacting with trail neighbors, and supporting community events on the trail.
Our committee members spend between 8 to 15 hours per month on trail meetings and activities (during the non-winter months). If you are interested joining the committee, please note your interest by filling in our Contact Us form found here and fill in the town’s Talent Form found here.
Riding the Borders-to-Boston Trail
David Read, Chairman of the Borders-to-Boston Trail Coalition, recently completed an informative and engaging video of the ride from Topsfield to Boston. Danvers is featured in the video. Check it out to see where the Danvers Trail fits on the Borders-to-Boston Trail, and tips on cycling all the way to Boston.
Events
To help us plan, please register events that use any part of the trail!
Do you have a photo or story you would like to share about the rail trail?
Do you need to report a problem or issue on the Danvers Rail Trail?
Please do NOT Place Advertising or Announcements on the Trail
PLEASE BE SAFE WHILE USING OUR TRAIL AND WEAR YOUR HELMETS!
THANK YOU!
Danvers Rail Trail Mobile App!
Download the Danvers Rail Trail Mobile App from the Apple and Google/Android stores! All you have to do is search in the app stores for danvers trail & download. Click here for a list of current features of the app.
Dog owners – please be respectful of others on the trail
It's spring and we welcome dogs and their owners back to the trail. Please be courteous to other trail users – always keep your dog on a leash and pick up any waste your dog creates. Not only is this the polite and healthy thing to do, it’s the law in Danvers.
Chapter XXI of the Danvers Bylaws State in part:
Leashes: “No person owning, harboring or having custody and control of a dog shall permit such dog to be at large in the Town of Danvers at any time. [While on town property other than the Endicott Park dog park] any dog shall be controlled and restrained by a proper leash.”
Dog waste: “Any person having custody and control of a dog or other animal in any park, playground, beach, public common, municipal recreation area, street, sidewalk, public area or any private property of someone other than the owner within the Town of Danvers shall remove and dispose of any feces left thereon by his or her dog”
Fines: “The first violation of this By-Law within a calendar year shall be punishable by a $25.00 fine; the second and subsequent violations within the calendar year by a $50.00 fine.”
Complaints about loose dogs should be made to 978-777-0001 x 3023. Or via the towns contact form at https://www.danversma.gov/questionscomplaints/
Dumping Is Illegal on the Trail
We are fortunate that most in Danvers work to maintain a clean and environmentally safe Rail Trail. However, over the past few months we have received complaints from trail users regarding the dumping of construction waste (asphalt and concrete), yard waste (e.g. grass-cuttings and brush), and other trash along the Rail Trail.
As a reminder, the Rail Trail is town property. It runs within the Danvers Electric Division right-of-way, which includes a 10 to 15-foot strip of land on either side of the trail. Town of Danvers Bylaw Section XXV.3.a “expressly prohibits the… littering, dumping, or placing of waste of any description on Town-owned lands.”
Please treat trail users and neighbors with respect and do not dump illegally on the trail. The Danvers Police Department and Board of Health will be on the trail during the spring and summer to help educate and enforce no-dumping regulations.
Thank you Lori!
Lori Dupont, one the original members of the Rail Trail Advisory Committee has decided to move to Virginia. Lori was appointed by Wayne Marquis in 2009 when the future trail was the object of significant controversy. Lori was resolute in support of the proposed trail and her advocacy as a direct abutter helped ensure a more positive and constructive public discussion. Lori’s warm confidence reassured many and helped keep the rail trail project moving forward.
As the trail moved from idea to reality, Lori was active on trail whether that be guiding trail users during construction, or out shovel in hand digging holes and making improvements.
From all your friends on the trail – thank you for making the trail a better place and best wishes on your new adventure!