Trail extension to follow Green Line Extension

In only six short years (at the very earliest), you can take the Minuteman Trail from Bedford to Alewife to Davis and the Somerville Community Path from Davis to Lechmere. The Minuteman exists and the Community Path exists up to Cedar Street, just short of the new Lowell Street station. From there to Lechmere will be new trail following the upcoming Green Line Extension. I'll be over 60, but I'm looking forward to when I can skate from my home in Arlington to the Esplanade in Boston.

Read more about the project on the Arlington Patch ("State Announces 1.9 Mile, $39 Million Path Along Green Line Extension Project") or in The Boston Globe ("Somerville bike pathway to expand").

Snippets

Sometimes chance bits of conversation make perfect sense.

(Two cyclists) "... so I went right over the handlebars."

Sometimes you're just left wondering.

(Two joggers, one lagging) Leader: "Don't run! Don't run! I'd rather have you in one piece. Don't run!" The laggard starts to pick up. Leader, running harder: "Don't run!"

(Group of cyclists) One: "... improv." Another: "But they're all highly trained in, like, Elizabethan drama."

What's left of the snow

It's ugly.

Behind Walgreens, Arlington Heights

The Mill Brook is a better sight, running fresh and full.

East of Walgreens

Bikeway user Counts - May 6th and 10th

From Joey Glushko:

Since 2007, the State planning authorities have been collecting data about the numbers of users of the local bikeways and trails. Arlington has been asked to join in collecting user numbers for the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway. On Tuesday, May 6 and on Saturday, May 10 counters will be needed to count and record user numbers from 7 AM to 7 PM; counters will be located at the plaza at Swan Place, near the Kickstand Cafe. It will be Baystate Bike Week, and your helpful participation would be be especially apropos!

The Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee is coordinating these two days of counting. We are seeking volunteers for 1-2 hr. commitments of time to count the different numbers and types of users – walkers, cyclists, skaters, etc. If you can take the time, we’d appreciate your help; contact Joey Glushko in the Dept. of Planning and Community Development (781-316-3093; or e-mail jglushko@town.arlington.ma.us ) with your name, contact information, and the date/time(s) that you can volunteer. We will provide the forms and pens and clipboard for ready and easy use; you only need dress comfortably for the weather, and you might like to have sunglasses and sunscreen for a sunny day!

An example of the counting form is attached; you'll see that it is an easy task. The counting day will take place even in inclement weather – though heavy rain will cancel the day’s counting.

Contact me if you have questions. We'd appreciate your participation for this annual project.
Joey Glushko, Planner
Planning and Comm. Devel.
Arlington, MA 02476

Changeable

Icy as it was this morning, I expect it'll be mostly wet this afternoon.

Near Mill Street, Arlington

Trail Conditions: Wear Your Wellies

Plowing clears the snow, not the water.

Salted

The Somerville path isn't just cleared, it's heavily salted and sanded.