As it stands the 2.5 miles of Rail bed belongs to the MBTA. If Methuen wants to develop this property for use as a public Bike/Ped trail, we need to lease the land from the MBTA for 99 years.
The section that screams for use by the public runs north from the depot, under five corners, out behind Pine St. through the Nevins Bird Sanctuary, under 213, across MSPCA land, behind the Village Mall and extends parallel to Route 28, until it ends behind the IHOP. This section is only 1.45 miles. Without the trees, shrubs and some odd bits of trash here and there, it is a very nice walk in the country, best described as a cross between a meadow and a country lane.
Tags: images, maps
This is a what our trail looks like on it’s best days.
Some of the sections near Rail Road Street have a thick growth of small trees and shrubs. Nothing that can’t be removed with lopping shears and elbow grease.
Tags: images
The northern portico of depot lies on VFW property. The shrubbery is pretty thick on the ground hiding the rails. The ground is still flat and even allowing access to area businesses and such.
Tags: images
This is our northern trail head, Pep Boys and Ihop are on the right and Hampshire Street is up another hundred yards or so. When Salem’s Transportation Corridor is complete end to end, this would be is southern trail head. I think the International House of Pancakes people better put in some bike racks.
Tags: images
