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Boroughs Trail Feasibility Study

 Project Background

Four Boroughs Open Space and Trails Map

The Boroughs Trail Feasibility Study is exploring the feasibility of developing a coordinated approach to trails development and management in the city of Marlborough and the towns of Northborough, Southborough and Westborough. The project will bring together local, state and private landowners together with business leaders and park, recreation and health advocates to discuss this approach.

This project also complements two existing open space protection efforts in the MAPC region – the 495/MetroWest Development Compact and the MetroWest Regional Open Space Connectivity Plan.

 

MAPC’s role

This project is a collaborative effort between the Marlborough Economic Development Council (MEDC), the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) and MAPC.

MAPC and CMRPC are working with the MEDC, in coordination with towns of Northborough, Southborough and Westborough and local land preservation organizations, to:

  • Develop conceptual maps of trail and recreational network within the four municipalities
  • Facilitate meetings and discussions among state, municipal, nonprofit, business and other stakeholders about the feasibility of the concept
  • Explore public-private partnership governance and operations models that could be used to advance the concept

This project supports MetroFuture’s  Sustainable Growth Patterns, Community VitalityRegional Prosperity and Health Environment  goals for the region.

Why it’s important

Comprised of a chain of separately owned trails under public and private stewardship, the Boroughs Trail would be a regional recreational asset and economic development tool. The trail and the network of linkages would support a regional identity and provide an interconnected recreational hub having a long term impact on economic development, housing, public health, community engagement, equity and the quality of life in the Boroughs.

Project Documents

Project Fact Sheet

Appendices (Large file, 13MB)

Questions

For more information about this study, please contact Barry Keppard (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) at bkeppard@mapc.org / (617) 451-2770 x2083  or Trish Settles (Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission) at tsettles@cmrpc.org / (508) 459-3320.