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Bike Path Rides |
By Scott MacKeen Speaking during a public discussion held by Selectmen on June 17, a dozen Capen Street residents expressed opposition to any plan that would bring the new bike trail across Capen Street near the trolley line. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation has proposed five options to extend its Neponset River trail project from Central Avenue to Mattapan Square, where it would link to the nearly completed path on Brook Road and Truman Parkway. Three of the five options would have the path follow along the MBTA trolley tracks as they bisect Capen Street. However, that has some concerned that the path could add more traffic and noise to a tight street. Some were concerned with the removal of trees and ledge that would happen with construction of the path. They said those natural features act as sound buffers against the noise of the trolley. According to Capen Street resident Elizabeth McMullen, removal of significant features and the addition of traffic would “alter the character of our neighborhood.” David Sutter, of Capen Street, said he would be “very disheartened” with the changes to the neighborhood. He said Capen Street is a narrow road that cannot accommodate the proposed 10-foot-wide bike path. “It’s more than a tight fit,” added Richard Bennett, who lives on Byrne Road. McMullen said she supports option C, which would have the path run entirely through Boston on the northern side of the river, while Sutter and Bennett liked option B, which would start on the Milton side but cross over at Ryan Playground and avoid Capen Street. The options that affect Capen Street are A, D and E. Option D, in which the path would run entirely on the Milton side but with an alternate northern route into Mattapan through Ryan Playground, is preferred by the Bicycle Advisory Committee, according to Lee Toma, one of its members. The committee’s second choice would be option A, a path exclusive to Milton, he said. Toma said those options are the safest for bikers because they avoid taking the route along the more hazardous River Street and Mattapan Square routes. He said they would also offer the most scenic views of the river. Some said the potential impacts to Capen Street are overstated and they would welcome the path to the area. “Bikes are not a crime threat or a traffic threat or a safety threat,” said Judy Lieberman, of Capen Street. Another Capen Street resident, Richard Kesseli, said he has ridden the current Neponset bike path from Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester to Central Avenue “5,000 times” and has never witnessed an accident or any crime occurring. He did not say which option he would choose. Selectmen said they will gather additional information before taking a position. The DCR has extended the comment period on the project until the end of July. No one who spoke at last week’s meeting rejected the prospect of the bike path. “I think [the DCR] is trying hard to come up with a good solution. I haven’t heard anyone state unilaterally they are opposed to a bike path,” said Selectmen Chair Marion McEttrick. Selectman John Shields said he would like to take part in a site walk of the area to better understand where the path might run. “We now have some homework to do,” he said. The bike path is expected to cost somewhere between $3 million and $4 million, depending upon the number of river crossings, according to Deneen Crosby, the project manager. The DCR has not determined a funding source. The five bike-path proposals can be viewed on the DCR Web site at www.mass.gov/dcr by searching for “Neponset bike path.” |
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