Thank You Abiomed for Your Earth Day Clean Up
Thank you to the large group of Danvers-based Abiomed, Inc. employees who helped clean the trail and other park locations in Danvers on April 22, Earth Day 2025. Fortunately, they had a nice spring day for their work. The Abiomed folks headed south on the trail to clear trash and debris. Some split off to clean the area around the Mill Pond dam.
We were fortunate this year that the trail has been relatively clean after a low-snow winter. But still about 50 bags of trash were collected and removed. Thank you again to the many Abiomed and other volunteers that honored Earth Day and helped the Town of Danvers.
Thank you, Essex North Shore Tech!
A group of 25 Essex North Shore Tech Health Assisting and Plumbing students spent the day cleaning the Danvers Rail Trail adjacent to the school along Maple Street. They gathered and hauled out many bags of trash and other debris. Their work helps keep the trail attractive and safe, and is appreciated by all trail users.
For more information about Essex North Shore Tech see: https://essexnorthshore.org/
New Flashing Beacon At Chestnut Street!
The Danvers Natural Resources team installed a much needed flashing beacon at rail trail Chestnut Street crossing on Thursday March 13th!
Thank you to the amazing Natural Resources team!!
Rail Trail Pocket Park
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The Town of Danvers has completed the “pocket park” where the current trail and extension connect (south of the Hobart St parking lot). The new park is a fantastic gateway to the trail extension heading west to Middleton. This park provides a restful area with granite benches, massive swings, and lovely plantings. Thanks to Tyler Berry and team for leading this effort and to all in the town for their support. The park will be dedicated to former Town Manager Wayne Marquis next June.
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Big Thank You to Julie Curtis
Julie is an avid user of the trail. She attributes her good health to using the trail regularly. In order to give back, Julie makes it a point to maintain the Hobart Street parking lot trash barrel and the area around it. Thank you Julie!
If you have an interest in volunteering on the trail, please click here to send us a message.
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 “𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆” 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗔 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀
About 25 people (and one dog!) joined in for the damp but warm 2025 First Day Walk on Wednesday, January 1st. The group started on the current trail at the new pocket park, near mile marker 2.0, and headed west making their way to Nichols Street (2.6 miles roundtrip). The walk was coordinated by members of the Danvers Rail Trail Committee.
Fall Trail Projects Completed
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Thank you to several rail trail volunteers who have been busy over the past month improving and cleaning the trail.
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Nancy McNulty, Alison Brotherton, and Bill Brotherton cleaned up the south end of the trail.
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Joe Anthony, Tom Powers, and Joe Riess worked the north end of the rail picking up trash and making some surface repairs.
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Charley Lincicum organized a work party to repaint our maintenance shed. Thanks as well to Judy Lincicum, Joe Riess, Tom Powers, and Elaine Cidzik.
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!
Thank You for Earth Day Spring Cleaning! (April 2023)
The weather cooperated on Saturday with spring-like cool and cloudy conditions. As part of the town-wide Earth Day cleanup, a group of about 30 volunteers made great progress in clearing
trash and other debris from all sections of the trail.
About 30 bags of trash (bottles, papers, dog waste) were collected and removed from the trail and trail sidings. The area around the new Beaver Brook bridge was also cleaned. In addition, with help from Endicott Park Rangers, two truck-loads of brush and branches were removed.
With the weather warming, we ask that trail users and trail neighbors do not deposit waste of any kind on or along the trail. Its illegal and restricts the ability of the Danvers Electric Division to maintain its’ right-of-way, creates a breeding ground for rats, and is generally an eyesore and safety hazard for trail users.
Thank you to Medtronic, the Maple Street Church, DHS Students, and many rail trail enthusiasts. And to the Town of Danvers for providing the trash bags and picking up the gathered trash.
Work Completed Wenham St to Mile Marker 3.7
Danvers DPW has completed making repairs to the trail surface and improving drainage about 300 yards north of Wenham St.
Over the past weeks, ditches were dug on both sides of the trail, drainage pipes were installed under the trial to divert water away from the trail surface, and a combination of gravel and stone dust was applied to the surface from Wenham Street north to mile marker 3.7.
This section of the trail now has a smoother and safer surface, and should be less adversely affected by heavy rains.
Thank you to the Town of Danvers for completing this work. And to trail users for your patience during the construction.
The Chocolate Walk is On! February 18th 11:00 am
Join us for our winter Chocolate Walk! We will meet at the Hobart Street parking lot. The weather is forecast to be clear and cool. Trail conditions are good, and we plan to walk north on the trail - about 3 miles round trip, but feel free to shorten or lengthen your walk.
Chocolate goodies from Putnam Pantry and Hot Chocolate will be available for a boost of pre-walk energy.
Children, and dogs on leashes welcome! Walkers with dogs will be asked to depart a bit after 11:00 in order to minimize congestion on the trail. Come prepared with the right footwear and outerwear.
This is a free event, but donations are always welcome!
A Beautiful First Day Trail Walk - 2023
About 90 people of all ages joined us for a very pleasant 2023 First Day Walk. Most came from Danvers, but we also had walkers from Beverly, Lynnfield, Middleton, Peabody, and Salem. This year’s walk was the first to explore the trail extension being constructed towards Middleton. The group started on the current trail near mile marker 1.9, headed northwest, crossed Hobart Street, made use of the new bridge over Beaver Brook, then made their way to Nichols Street. The trail extension runs along the Danvers Electric Division Right-of-Way. The stone dust surface had not yet been applied, and while muddy, the trail was still quite passable.
The walk was managed by about 8 volunteers who handed out light refreshments and acted as guides at street crossings. Most walkers made the full three-mile trek to the Nichols Street and back.
Thank you to our volunteers and everyone who joined the fun!
Thank you Medtronic!
Thirteen volunteers from Medtronic, a local medical technology company, worked on the trail Thursday August 25, as part of their commitment to community service. It was a beautiful summer day and the Medtronic team appreciated the chance to be outside the office and get some exercise.
Working alongside three RTAC volunteers, two Medtronic crews split up to work various projects on the trail. One group spent the afternoon cleaning up the southern section of the trail. The second crew cleared out beneath the Hobart lot picnic table and installed pavers for a more appealing and easy to maintain area.
Thank you, Medtronic!