By AUBREY HAWKE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
A crowd gathered on Waltham’s newly renovated Riverwalk Park last Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the park’s recent reconstruction and to mark the official opening of the city’s 3-mile-long section of the Mass Central Rail Trail.
The event also celebrated the successful collaboration of the city and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), a collaboration that made both the rail trail and park improvements a reality.
“The commonwealth cannot do this alone, the city cannot do this alone. It truly does take a village,” DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo said to several dozen in attendance. “I know together we are building stronger, more connected communities and a future for generations to come.”
Others also praised the efforts.
“I am thrilled to see our city making significant strides in expanding and enhancing green spaces for our residents. The completion of Riverwalk Park’s $1.4 million reconstruction, the opening of the 3-mile Mass Central Rail Trail segment, and the groundbreaking of the MCRT Waltham-Weston connection are transformative steps toward creating a more connected, accessible and sustainable community,” state Rep. John Lawn said. “These projects not only provide new opportunities for outdoor recreation but also improve the quality of life for all Waltham residents while preserving the natural beauty of our city for generations to come.”
The Riverwalk Park, where the event was held, features a path that winds along the Charles River. The recent reconstruction work included repaving the half-mile pathway and restoring park benches. It also included improvements to stormwater infrastructure, riverbank stabilization and landscaping work.
The nearby Mass Central Rail Trail also provides a place for residents to go for a bit of nature and recreation. The trail cuts through Waltham, running from Watertown to Weston. The city’s stretch is a small but vital piece of the 60 or so miles of the trail that already has been built. The Mass Central Rail Trail eventually will measure 140 miles long and will stretch through much of Massachusetts, from Boston to Northampton.
Although last week’s event was meant to celebrate outdoor recreation, the ribbon-cutting had to be delayed due to drought-related wildfires. The event had been scheduled for 11 a.m. but was postponed by 90 minutes so that Arrigo could attend a morning press conference “to thank firefighters and ask the public to do their part to contain fire risk,” according to a DCR representative.
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