Runnings River Trail Connection
In 2010, Seekonk Town Meeting approved the purchase of 4.3 acres using Community Preservation Committee's funds. The purchase of the land was made in order to connect the trails behind the Newman YMCA and Town Hall to the Turner Reservoir Loop trails. The Seekonk Land Conservation Trust then raised $60,000 to help complete the trail project.
In 2015, Town Meeting approved the use of Community Preservation Committee dollars for the trail construction. The trail picks up from the end of the YMCA’s trail and goes along the Runnins River. A pedestrian bridge crossing the Runnins River was constructed to connect to the parcel purchased in 2010 for the purposes of this trail. The trail goes through the marshland and upland forest on this parcel before reaching Arcade Avenue where sidewalk can be used to reach the Turner Reservoir Loop trails. The trail offers Seekonk residents increased recreational opportunities and pedestrian access to the YMCA and Town Hall. As you walk along the trail you will see some unique trail elements. These include bog bridging, a pedestrian bridge crossing across the Runnins River and a boardwalk. This trail connection has also been a great example of successful collaboration for community benefit, with the Seekonk Land Conservation Trust and the Community Preservation Committee working to secure private donations and State grant funding as well as Town funding to purchase the land for the trail connection and hire the professional trail building firm, TrailBuilders, to design, construct and install the aforementioned built trail elements. This project is also a great example of collaboration from the DPW, Town Hall staff, and the Police & Fire to help haul in materials for the bridge construction. |