Everyone in Massachusetts is aware of Routes 128 and 495, circumferential highways that loop west of Boston.
Few people are likely aware of a third: The Bay Circuit Trail and Greenway, an in-progress trail running from Plum Island on the New Hampshire border, south and west through Tewksbury, Chelmsford, Westford, Acton, Concord and Lincoln. Spurs from the trail connect it to Bedford and Billerica, as well. The trail finally swings west in Southborough and ends up on the Duxbury/Kingston shore.
Currently, the trail has 180 of a proposed 200 miles marked.
The catalyst behind the trail is the Bay Circuit Alliance (BCA), a grassroots group dedicated to preserving and developing the trail since it was founded in 1992. Alan French, the current chairman of BCA, has worked on the trail since the alliance was founded. However, French is quick to point out the idea dates back even further.
“The idea goes back to 1930 when Frederick Law Olmsted introduced the concept of natural parks, as opposed to the European concept,” said French. “He introduced the concept that parks could be natural. A greenway is a linear park.”
Conservation of the trail deals with two aspects. The trail itself needs upkeep and blazing. The greenway, the nature surrounding the trail, requires attention to keep the trail an enjoyable scenic route.
Existing paths
In several spots, the trail knits together existing rails. In Chelmsford, it encompasses the portion of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail running through town. In Acton, Camp Acton’s trail system includes Bay Circuit Trail markers.
Dan Wilson is in charge of Chelmsford, Westford, Acton, and Carlisle, one of the most active portions.
“It’s important to get community engagement for the people that live in these areas,” Wilson said. “The aspect of having the trail there, it shows them that everything is indeed linked.”
There are also “spurs” along the trail that add exploration options. One such spur connects the trail to Bedford’s rail trail system.
The goal of the trail is to link humans to nature and these spurs help add a new dimension, French said.
New chapter
This year, French is turning over the reins of The Bay Circuit Trail project to the Appalachian Mountain Club, the venerable conservation organization founded in 1876, and the state’s Trustees of Reservations. Kristen Sykes, director of conservation strategies, will soon be the new coordinator for The Bay Circuit Alliance.
“An overall goal is to help ensure that the four million residents of the Greater Boston area are aware of this fantastic trail,” Sykes said. “It is the coolest trail outside that many people haven’t heard of.”
According to Sykes, the Appalachian Mountain Club and The Trustees of Reservations will host an upcoming event to celebrate “the many accomplishments of Al French and the Bay Circuit Alliance.”
French dedicated a large portion of his life to the trail, but he acknowledges it is important to pass off the task. He says it is not difficult to garner support for the project, and the sponsorships of the AMC and the Trustees of Reservations can only help the trail’s longevity.
“It’s been an easy sell,” French said on spreading the word on the BCT. “200 miles of Plum Island to Duxbury, it’s a hard thing to complete but you don’t have a problem getting people excited about the idea.”
Passing responsibility does not cool French’s passion for the trail.
“Being close to open space and land is a very important thing to one’s life,” he said. “My mental health is very much improved and I want to make that available to other people. I feel very fortunate to take it on as a volunteer.”
Information, along with volunteer opportunities, maps and the trail’s current sponsorships is available at www.BayCircuit.org.