by Andrea Pessolano
11/1/2014

Governor Patrick Announces $750,000 for Holliston Rail Trail Improvements Secured in Transportation Bond Bill by Representative Dykema and Senator Spilka

Governor Deval Patrick announced Friday morning that the Town of Holliston will receive $750,000 for improvements to the Holliston portion of the Upper Charles Rail Trail, secured in the Transportation Bond Bill by Representative Dykema and Senator Spilka. This funding will be used to help purchase rail bed from the center of Holliston to the Sherborn Town line, enabling the trail to extend further through the Town of Holliston.

“Parks and recreation are essential to quality of life for residents and help to revitalize communities,” said Governor Patrick. “My Administration is committed to investing in the diversification of our public parks to provide open space for all.”

“Receiving this funding is a momentous occasion for the Town of Holliston and brings us one step closer to completing the proposed 20 mile multi-purpose Upper Charles Rail Trail. This funding will help create a continuous Trail that residents will benefit from for years to come,” stated Representative Carolyn Dykema. “Countless volunteers, businesses, town officials, and civic groups have worked endlessly to create an accessible Trail the entire community can enjoy. This additional funding will build on their hard work and make the Trail a safe pedestrian and bicycle pathway for the citizens of Holliston. I would especially like to thank Governor Patrick for his support of this funding that will help make this great project a reality.”

“This funding is terrific news for Holliston and for outdoor recreation enthusiasts across MetroWest,” said Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Completing the Holliston section of the Upper Charles Rail Trail network will encourage people in our community to get outside, be active and enjoy the beautiful natural resources our region has to offer.”

The Upper Charles Rail Trail is a multi-use, regional trail connecting the towns of Sherborn, Holliston, Milford, Hopkinton and Ashland. Currently, 2 of the 6.7 miles of Trail in Holliston have been completed. The $750,000 in the Transportation Bond Bill will aid in creating a continuous accessible trail through Holliston.

“Through the exceptional work of both Senator Karen Spilka and Representative Carolyn Dykema, the Town of Holliston can finally move forward with the purchase of the land needed to extend this important regional trail. This land contains the iconic pink granite Bogastow Brook Viaduct, just recently placed on Massachusetts Most Endangered Historic Resources list by Preservation Massachusetts,” said Robert Weidknecht, Chair of the Holliston Trails Committee. “The benefits of this new section include: a safe route to two schools, alternative transportation, historic preservation and an improved quality of life for the Town and the region.”

“This is a resource that received great praise and support this past week at Town Meeting, reinforcing to me how important of a treasure this Trail is to the community.  As a Realtor by profession, I know how great a role the Trails play in creating a foundation of a strong community and improving quality of life to residents, while attracting others to our town”, said Friends of Holliston Trails member Ed Daniels. “Some Trails Committee members have been working for 20 years on the vision for an improved rail trail through Holliston, and this funding propels them much closer to that finish line.”

The Transportation Bond Bill, which was signed by Governor Patrick in April authorized over $12 billion in funding for transportation improvements across the Commonwealth including investments in our roads, bridges, and public transit systems.

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State Representative Carolyn Dykema represents the towns of Holliston, Hopkinton, Southborough and Westborough (pct. 2) and has served on the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture since 2009.