South Coast Bikeway

Connecting the Communities of South Coast Massachusetts by bicycle

South Coast Bikeway Alliance gets state Recreational Trail Building Grant

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By Aimee Chiavaroli, achiavaroli@s-t.com
Posted Jul 9, 2017 at 7:01 PM Updated Jul 9, 2017 at 7:02 PM
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance was recently awarded a Recreational Trail Building Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Recreation, allowing people in SouthCoast communities to participate in various workshops.
The “Trail Documentation, Stewardship and Skills Training” grant will allow for workshops including GPS trail mapping, sustainable trail development and specialty skills training in stonework, carpentry and chainsaw work.
According to a news release, this is the nonprofit organization’s first step in a long term plan to work with stakeholders throughout the SouthCoast to build a network of on and off road trails connecting communities for recreational and alternative transportation.
Workshops are set to begin in the fall and could run through next spring. The workshops will be general in nature and applicable to any trail project.
An informational meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. July 17 at Dartmouth Town Hall, room 315. Those interested in learning about trail building workshops are encouraged to attend. The workshops are designed for small groups, so space is limited. To reserve a spot, attend the meeting or contact the Bikeway Alliance on its website (southcoastbikeway.com) or Facebook page (facebook.com/southcoastbikeway).
Erin Amadon from Peter S. Jensen & Associates is scheduled to give a brief presentation to explain what the workshops would involve and who can benefit from them. In addition, she’ll provide examples of workshops that have been done in the past and explain what people can do with their skills acquired through the workshops.
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is made up of community representatives and groups that work with local leaders and organizations to advocate for and build the networks of bikeways throughout the SouthCoast region. Its’ overall goal is to promote active transportation and recreation.
The South Coast Bikeway is set to be a 50-mile continuous system of bike paths or multi-use paths and bike lanes connecting Rhode Island to Cape Cod. Several segments of the bikeway already exist in Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Wareham. The Bikeway is a regional priority as outlined in the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District’s 2016 Regional Transportation Plan.