In fact, I'd like to run more. So if you have a long comment that you'd prefer to see as a post. Feel free to email me with a request.
That said, here's a post and photos from Global Citizen James Shanley. The restaurant is a converted firehouse.
Just back from a week's vacation in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, and I am somewhat saddened by some of negativity expressed in the comments on your posting about the Clipper City Rail Trail.
Karen and I ended up choosing the Eastern Townships because they have a very good, extensive networks of bike trails and paths suited to all levels ofcycling skills. Canada has a 1500 mile network of dedicated bike paths, trails,and bike lanes stretching from Nova Scotia to Ontario, called the Route Verte. We chose a very modest section that promised (and delivered) easy cycling, cultural attractions, and great food.
There were almost none of the dreaded Spandex horde so often quoted as being the problem with cycling. The majority of those using the paths (and we were always encountering other cyclists) were couples in their 60's and up, with the next most prominent age cohort being young families.
When we did encounter the Spandex Set, it was mostly out on the paved roads, and when out on said roads and in the towns, there were many, many a car with bikes on a rack.Bikes were just part of the total equation, as were kayaks, wineries, women's clothing stores, golf, skiing and restaurants.
One thing was very obvious: there were people of all ages using both the urban paths and the rural ones for both recreation and for general around town transportation. There were also resturants and bike shops near many of thetrails, and they were busy. We left money at both business types, and all wereexcellent. What struck me was that each wasn't a destination into itself butwas part of an integrated whole.
Why wouldn't we want to provide something like the Route Verte for not just visitors, for us?
4 comments:
Nice post! The rail trail could become an integral part of both the community and also for visitors with the right visibility. How about "Roll and Stroll Sundays" where families and friends make that a part of their routine.
James,
That all sounds wonderful, and I think our trail sounds like it will be lovely as well.
Two things:
1. What effect, if any, does losing that $700,000 in federal funding have on our part of the project?
2. Does anyone feel the tiniest bit quilty about spending $3.2 mil on this (albeit wonderful) project when there are people in town struggling to make their house payments? Or is that comparing apples to oranges?
Thanks.
$3.2 million is an awful lot of money for a bike path....
To answer Gillian's questions:
1. None. The $700,000 is related to future work on the Border to Boston trail, not the Clipper City Rail Trail, which is already funded by Federal, State, and local grants. Please see www.cityofnewburyport.com/Planning/RailTrailProject.html for funding details.
2. Yes, it is comparing apples to oranges. If the CCRT was not being done, those struggling to meet their house payments still would be struggling. The money used for the rail trail cannot be diverted to other uses such as lowering property taxes, funding schools, etc. Its transportation money, and as such must be used for transportation projects.
James Shanley
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