The Middlesex Fells is one of Melrose’s greatest assets — and like a lot of residents, we use it constantly. It’s where people decompress, stay active, and connect with neighbors. But getting there safely is harder than it should be, and that’s worth fixing.

There are two specific locations where the risk is real and daily.

The first is Washington Street at Goodyear Avenue (42.443816, -71.072964), the primary walking route from the Oak Grove neighborhood to the Goodyear Avenue entrance to the Fells. There is no sidewalk along the final stretch, drivers routinely travel 40 mph in a 25 mph zone, and almost no one stops for pedestrians. 

The second is Fellsway East at the Cross Fells Trail (42.442112, -71.079211), an official DCR-designated access point where hikers must cross Fellsway East to reach the Woodland Path and Observatory Rock Circuit Trail. There is no marked crosswalk, and drivers regularly speed past pedestrians with no regard for their safety. 

These aren’t niche concerns — they affect anyone who walks to the Fells, whether you’ve lived here for thirty years or thirty days. We’re asking the City of Melrose, DCR, and our state legislators to prioritize pedestrian safety at both locations.

Sign and share if you agree. The Fells belongs to all of us — we should all be able to get there safely.