RTC TrailBlog : connecticut river walk

Tornado Damages Connecticut River Walk in Springfield, Mass.

Karl Wirsing (RTC) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:08:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, we reported on tornado damage to the Virginia Creeper Trail in southwest Virginia. Now, at the end of last week, we received news that a tornado directly hit the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway in Springfield, Mass.

Jeffrey McCollough of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission snapped a few photos on Thursday, June 9. He says trees were down across the stretch of trail between Memorial Bridge and LA Fitness, including Riverfront Park. Other sections of the River Walk were impassable because of electric wires down on the corridor.

Check with the Springfield Department of Parks & Recreation for updates on trail clean-up and conditions.

Photos of tornado damage on the Springfield River Walk by Jeffrey McCollough/Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

Video: Springfield residents get on the trail - and it's easier than they thought

Stephen Miller (RTC) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:11:00 GMT

Good news from Springfield, Mass., where Health New England's second annual River Walk got residents and downtown workers out on the Connecticut River Walk for a stroll, ride or jog. The event helped prove that the trail is safer, cleaner and more convenient than most might think. Even the reporter for the local ABC affiliate covering the event seemed convinced. Even more video can be found on MassLive.com.

Showcasing Springfield's waterfront jogging path

The Connecticut River Walk is part of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Urban Pathways Initiative. Our Northeast Regional Office is working closely with stakeholders and citizens in the area to improve access to this trail, which is cordoned off by an active railroad corridor, a highway, retaining walls and the Connecticut River.