Northern Strand Community Trail


The Northern Strand Community Trail, also known as the Bike to the Sea Trail, is a 10-mile bicycle path and walking trail project which connects the cities of Everett, Malden, Revere, and Saugus, along the former Saugus Branch Railroad of the Boston & Maine Railroad. The trail is part of the East Coast Greenway, a project planning to connect almost 3,000 miles of trail from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. The path has been planned by Bike to the Sea, a non-profit cycling advocacy group, with help from the surrounding cities.

History

The Everett and Malden sections of the trail were opened with a granular recycled asphalt surface in summer 2012 and paved with an asphalt surface in August 2013. Iron Horse Preservation completed the surfacing of the Saugus section of the trail with gravel. The Revere portion of the trail opened to the public with a recycled asphalt surface in Summer 2015. The state committed $1.5 million in February 2018 to complete design of the Lynn section. A $13.7 million construction contract was awarded in February 2020.

Ownership and future status

The trail primarily runs along the Saugus Branch Railroad, a former branch line of the Boston and Maine Railroad. The trail's right of way is leased from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for 99 years by the respective cities the trail passes through, except in Lynn; if Lynn approves the trail in their borders, they will likely sign a similar lease. Like many nearby rail-trails, these leases include a reversion clause should the right of way be deemed more useful for other transportation uses.

Amenities

The trail features a growing number of amenities by the wayside. The first community garden opened in Malden, between Faulkner and Bryant streets, with more gardens planned. Benches overlook marshes in Saugus and Revere.