Blackstone Valley Bike Path (Part
of the Eastern Greenway)
See
maps of Mass and RI Bike Paths or go to BlackstoneRiverBikeway
The Valley is blessed to have
committed volunteers, nonprofit and government agencies with a vision,
cooperative spirit and focused energy working on constructing and/or connecting
several bike/walking paths throughout our Valley. These include: eighteen trails
actually built or in progress in the Valley that needed to be joined, including
the Blackstone River Bikeway and the Southern New England
Trunkline Trail (SNETT). To identify these trails and the home
community, click here for a trail description list
The first priority of the National
Heritage Corridor is to complete (by 2012) the entire 48 mile Blackstone River
Bikeway from Union Station in Worcester to the Narragansett Bay in Providence
with the help of state, federal funding and local contributions. The second
priority is to support the development and extension of the Southern NE
Trunkline Trail (SNETT) from the Franklin State Forest to Willimantic, Ct. In
addition, the following trails are prioritized by
sub-section.
Although the Mass side of the
Blackstone River Bike Path is running
considerably behind the progress of the Rhode Island side, the funds are being
allocated to make this a reality in Massachusetts within the next several years.
There is presently only a one-mile path for walking and biking in Millbury near the McCracken
Road exit of Rte 146 (near 1-90) although this is not yet officially opened at this time.
However, many people have been using this section. In addition, 25% design has
been reached on a three mile section in Millville-Uxbridge area. (Bikeway
Schedule by town)
Rhode Island offers two loops for biking -
an 18 mile loop, and a 24 mile loop, both
indicated on the map, and which offers a bounty of history, scenic
attractions, historic viewsheds of blended rural landscapes and mill villages through
Pawtucket, Lincoln, Central Falls and Lincoln, R.I. The completion of
R.I.'s 19 mile bikeway is expected for 2004. These bike routes are currently
well used and loved by many bikers, walkers, rollerbladers.
These two routes are also wonderful for
good health while soaking in the historical significance of this region as
America's First Industrial Home. The Slater Mill Site or the mill villages
throughout the hamlets or towns of Ashton,
Albion, Berkeley, Manville and Quinnville, Valley Falls or Central Falls or
Lonsdale offer an unparalleled view into our past.
This project entails great cooperation
to acquire or utilize properties along the way with a
chart
indicating the number of properties (public and private) needed to participate
in this joint vision getting close to fruition. The
Greenway
Challenge utilizes major portions of the RI bikeway each September for
biking 10 miles and running 7 miles.
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC), in
conjunction with the Greenways Alliance of Rhode Island, also offers a
self-guided map showing the completed sections, the proposed sections and the
other amenities, such as rest areas with restrooms facilities or food locations
which is available by calling 1-800-454-2882 or 401-724-2200. So happy
biking, jogging or adventuring!
One of the most charming sections of
Rhode Island bike path meanders past the
Kelly House
and the prize winning rehabilitation of the 890 foot long Ashton
Viaduct in Ashton (also known as the Joseph A. Russo Memorial Bridge). This
is a beautiful site filled with charm and history typifying the owner's home
along the canal and dense mill houses, now utilized as modest housing, abutting
the nearby mills.
Recently, Cumberland has announced an
extensive plan for construction and rehabilitation of properties for
affordable
housing. The re-use of mills and mill housing has been a successful
transition throughout the Valley Corridor, but much more is needed to save the
old mills and provide affordable housing.
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A Trail
of
History
and
Nature
See a
diversity
of
industrial
history
and
natural
settings
with an
autumn
bicycle
ride or
stroll
along
the
Blackstone
River
Bike
Path
straddling
the
Blackstone
River &
Canal in
Lincoln,
RI.
Located
in the
linear
Blackstone
River
State
Park,
the
bikeway
can be
accessed
by three
entrances:
off
Front
Street
(Route
123),
off
Lower
River
Road in
Quinnville
village,
and from
the
Visitor
Center
off
Interstate
295
north.
Learn
about
the
expansion
of the
Industrial
Revolution
in 19th
century
Rhode
Island,
as you
pass
along
mill
villages
that
sprung
up along
the
Blackstone
River in
Lincoln
and
Cumberland
that
offer
well
preserved
factories
and
homes.
At the
Wilbur
Kelly
House
Museum,
there’s
a
display
on the
history
of the
Blackstone
Canal,
which
was
built by
Irish
immigrants
between
1825-1828
and
served
as the
prime
transportation
connector
for the
area for
two
decades.
Nearby,
under
the
George
Washington
Highway
viaduct
is a
cascading
dam, one
of many
along
the
river
that
harnessed
water
power
for the
communities.
Along
the
bikeway
are
expanses
of open
spaces,
well
preserved
sections
of the
canal
towpath,
and
panoramic
village
vistas.
For
further
information
of the
Blackstone
River
Bike
Path,
call the
RI
Division
of Parks
&
Recreation
at
401-222-2632
or visit
their
website
at
www.riparks.com
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Bikepath on RI
Tourist Council website
Bike
Club RI bike path website
Link:
Bike It or Hike It in Ashton are
Great
Rhode Island Biking, Kayaking, etc. Resources
-Lots
of Links - Rinks
- Uxbridge soccer fields
- Appalachian Mt Club - Minuteman
Road Club - NE bike
racing schedule/info - BSTRA Needs Your Help!Bicycling - Sunday morning
rides from Trek Stop in Grafton (508-839-9199)
Return to Blackstone Daily