For decades, it's been a goal to complete the Bay Circuit Trail, a 200-mile continuous recreational trail connecting northern and southern Massachusetts – running from Newburyport all the way down to Duxbury. There are only a few remaining gaps left in the trail and the fate of a key piece of it will be up for a vote before the Lowell City Council on December 6th.

The Council will decide whether or not to approve re-zoning that will allow the Gervais Volkswagen automotive dealership to expand their business over a thin sliver of land along Lowell's River Brook Meadow. This piece of land also represents the “missing link” for the Bay Circuit Trail and would connect the growing Bruce Freeman trail to the Concord River Greenway and also downtown Lowell. It may be small but this strip of land is basically a juncture of two major trail projects. It would also turn Lowell into a major trail hub providing access to recreational users and commuters alike safe, easy access to the Cross Point area and downtown.

I always try my utmost to be diplomatic and do my best to paint scenarios as non-zero sum games. To be fair, the Gervais auto group has been and still is very cooperative, going so far as to grant an easement.  Negotiations around the easement are still continuing with an additional party.  Likewise, the City of Lowell has been working hard to find a satisfying compromise.  As much as the Gervais Automotive group has been a pillar in the Lowell community, the business interest of one local institution should not override the quality of life of thousands of residents and trail users. If there simply isn't enough room along the River Meadow Brook to accommodate both the Gervais Volkswagen expansion and a recreational path, I urge you to support the latter for long-term good of the community. 

This is a golden opportunity for the city of Lowell. At just 6.8 miles of the planned 25 miles, the Bruce Freeman Trail originating at the Cross Point towers is already widely-considered one of the best in the greater Boston area. Once complete, it will doubtless be the standard-bear of rail trails in the state. Countless people utilize it for biking, jogging, walks and other recreation as well as tapping into the natural beauty the area offers. The Freeman has been a boon for restaurants and others businesses along the trail so much so that most of them cater to cyclist, joggers and other recreational users.

Furthermore, linking the trails would have a great housekeeping effect. The unused rail lines are currently a repository of trash and graffiti. These are the sort of things a paved bike trail could remedy while opening up the beautiful River Meadow Brook for the public to enjoy.

Please sign this petition if you are a Lowell resident or you utilize the trail and want to see the Bay Circuit Trail completed. Then share this on Facebook, Twitter and any other social media platform you use. We need EVERYONE who wants this project to sign this. Your voices will tell the Lowell planning board and Lowell City Council that quality of life matters for you and your family. THANK YOU!

UPDATE: There is also a Facebook event for those interested in attending the City Council Meeting on Dec. 6th to show your support: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/688281201334552/?notif_t=plan_user_associated&notif_id=1480430329887384