Welcome To The Danvers Rail Trail
From Rails To Recreation
Downtown Streetscape Improvements
Town Officials presented a "Downtown Streetscape Improvement" plan to the Selectboard on December 19th, a plan which includes improvements to the Danvers Rail Trail crossing at Maple Street Church and Western Cycle
The rail trail crossing at Maple Street will be addressed in 2024, using the Chapter 40R Downtown Fund to install a new safer crossing on the rail trail by Maple Square, where the town and rail trail volunteers have observed that pedestrians typically jaywalk to save time. To the east toward Domino’s, the current crosswalk will likely be removed to recreate the parking that will be lost from this new addition. The RTAC has long advocated for improvements to the crossing and is thrilled to see this in the town’s downtown improvement plan.
Thank You Medtronic!
Ten volunteers from Medtronic, a local medical technology company, worked on the trail Friday May 3, 2024, as part of their commitment to community service. It turned out to be a sunny spring day, and all agreed it was nice to be outside and get some exercise.
Working alongside two RTAC volunteers and two Danvers Natural Resources staff, the Medtronic folks were split into two crews to work the north and south sections of the trail. Both groups spent the afternoon collecting trash and loading falling branches and other debris into two trucks provided by the town. This work will help make the trail safer for spring mowing and generally more attractive. This is the fifth time Medtronic helped us maintain and improve the trail.
Thank you, Medtronic!
Successful Earth Day 2024 Cleanup on the Trail
Thanks to everyone who helped clean up the trail for Earth Day 2024. Some started early, and others late to avoid the rain. And a few hardy souls worked during the rain (at least it was not too cold). By quick count, we picked up about 20 bags of trash on the current trail and extension.
Thanks to Danvers Natural Resources staff for helping us prepare and finish the clean up.
Not cleaning up after your dog? You may be spreading disease
“Dog poop isn’t just gross — it’s also potentially infectious.” From veterinarian Julie Wuerz*.
And more from Julia, “the reality is that waste left to wash into the soil, whether in a neighborhood, trail or dog park, can spread life-threatening parasites not just among dogs and cats but also to wild animals and people of all ages. A 2020 study found intestinal parasites in 85 percent of off-leash dog parks across the United States.”
The town of Danvers is launching a “Scoop the Poop Pledge” to encourage all pet owners to clean up after their pets – for the health of all of us, our pets, and the environment.
This pledge aims to bring more awareness to the issue of pet waste and litter as we pledge to do the following:
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Always clean up after my pet, even in my own yard. And avoid rinsing poop into the soil. Using rain or a garden hose removes only the visible mess, not the microscopic issues.
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Properly dispose of pet waste
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Always carry extra doggy bags when I am with my pet.
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Educate others about the importance of cleaning up after their pets
Help us keep the trail clean and safe. Take the pledge and share a photo of your furry friend by visiting https://www.danversma.gov/811/Dogs-of-Danvers
*From Julie Wuerz, clinical assistant professor of small animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida, as reported in the Washington Post February 4, 2024.
Successful Danvers/Middleton 2024 Chocolate Walk
It was an overcast but pleasant morning for the over 100 people who joined us for our first Danvers/Middleton 2024 Chocolate Walk. Walkers, many new to the trail, joined us from Danvers, Middleton, and a few other local communities. We walked a new section of the trail between Danvers (Access Rd of Rt 62) and Middleton (Gregory St). Walkers were provided with chocolate goodies at both the Danvers and Middleton ends of the trail.
Thank you to all our volunteers, and to the Lahey Outpatient Center for allowing walkers to use their parking. More about the Middleton Trail at https://www.middletonrailtrail.org/
Earth Day 2024 Spring Cleaning Saturday April 20th
While this winter has not yet been too severe, Spring will still be a good time to clear out a winter’s collection of trash, branches, and other debris appearing now along the trail. In support of Earth Day 2024 and in collaboration with Danvers’s town-wide Earth Day clean up events, join us on Saturday April 20th to help clean up the trail for the spring and summer.
Rail Trail volunteers should meet at the Hobart Street lot at 9:00 am. We will break up volunteers into two or three small groups to work on different sections of the trail. We aim to complete our work by 12:00 pm. Please confirm your interest in working on the trail by contacting us at info@danversrailtrail.org
If you would like to work in other areas of the town, please follow up using this Town of Danvers information page: 2024 Town Wide Clean Up | Danvers, MA (danversma.gov)
Work will go on rain or shine! Wear weather appropriate clothing, sturdy shoes, and work gloves. Trash bags and disposable gloves will be provided. See you Saturday April 20!
A Beautiful First Day Trail Walk - 2024
About 45 people of all ages joined us for a chilly 2024 First Day Walk. Most came from Danvers, but we also had walkers from Beverly, Middleton, Peabody, and Salem. The group started on the current trail near mile marker 2.0, headed north, making their way to Putnamville Park (3 miles roundtrip). Some ventured further to the SwampWalk (5.2 miles roundtrip).
The walk was managed by about six volunteers who handed out light refreshments and acted as guides at street crossings.
Thank you to our volunteers and everyone who joined the fun!
November 2023 - Danvers Rail Trail Northwest Extension
Progress Update
Northwest Rail Trail Extension - Overview
The town has approved extending our current rail trail northwest towards Middleton. This extension will be a 2.9 mile non-motorized, shared-use continuation of the existing Danvers Rail Trail, connecting Danvers downtown to additional Danvers western neighborhoods and eventually to the Middleton Rail Trail.
The extension will provide a healthy recreational option to all residents and visitors. The extension will be similar to the current trail in design, surface (stone dust), usage, rules, etc. The northwest extension will be completed in four phases (see map below).
Over the summer significant progress has been made. The trail is now fully open between the current trail and Maple Street. Stone dust has been applied and mile marker posts installed. The crossings at Hobart Street and Beaver Park have been completed with ADA compliant curb ramps, solar powered flashing beacons, painted crosswalks, and appropriate “crossing ahead” signs. Thanks to the Town of Danvers for getting all this done!
The Conservation Commission has approved the designs for an ADA compliant crossing at Maple St/Rt 62. Funding and timing the construction of the crossing is planned for 2024.
For those in the Hathorne area, stone dust has been applied to the trail surface from about the Lahey Outpatient Center on Hathorne Drive north to the Middleton trail. It is now possible to follow a stone dust trail from Lahey to Route 62 in Middleton (at Farmer Brown’s), about 1.5 miles one way.
Electric Division Right-of-Way Mowing Completed! (June 2023)
During the week of June 26 Danvers Electric completed their annual summer vegetation management work on their right-of-way along the trail. With support from volunteers and understanding from trail users, this work was completed ahead of schedule.
Danvers Electric’s annual program of vegetation management under their lines is essential to keep lines clear and assure good service. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during the work period!