Mattapoisett Rail Trail

This page was created by the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bicycle and Recreational Path. 

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Mattapoisett Rail Trail Basics

 Our Bike-Pedestrian path is part of a regional system 90% funded with federal transportation dollars.  In the future the path will connect Fairhaven, Mattapoisett village, Marion, and Wareham to Cape Cod.       Learn more. 

Total Completed Length:                                                    Mattapoisett : 1 Mile      Fairhaven 3.5 Miles             Total Planned Length                                             Mattapoisett 4.5 Miles  4 Towns: 26 Miles

Paved Rail Trail:  Runs 1 mile  west from Mattapoisett Neck Road, crossing Brandt Island Road, to Fairhaven's Pheonix Bike Path (3.5 Miles).  It is on the former Old Colony Rail Road (Inc.1851) right of way and called the "Old Colony Mile." Completed April, 2009.

Unpaved path:  goes from Mattapoisett Neck Road to the bridge across the Mattapoisett River, where there are beautiful harbor views.  Another path goes from Industrial Drive (off North Street)to Marion

Future Phases: Phase 1b - The Shining Tides Mile (Mattapoiset Neck Road to Depot Street in Mattapoisett Village) was not funded for 2011. However, the footbridge across the Mattapoisett River is being widened this spring. We are waiting for news about when we will be reinstated on the funding list for paving and construction of the boardwalk.   Phase 2 A&B: The Mattapoisett Dude Mile and the Old Rochester Mile  where voted funding in 2010 Town meeting for surveying of wetlands and property lines for final route determination so we can file for state and federal funding. Aerial survaying is happening in March and April, 2011

Who are the Friends?

We are a non profit 501c3 organization,  working since 1999 to complete Mattapoisett's portion of  the federally funded South Coast Rail Trail. We fund raise, provide information and generate support for the rail trail in Mattapoisett.  We network with local communities  to support their pathway initiatives.

 What the Friends do

We make information available to the public, plan events to support the project, assist the Bike Path Committee in their planning process where appropriate and assist the Town in paying for design and maintennce.  Last Year, Due to the generosity of our members, we contributed 15,000 dollars to design.  This year we hope to erect benches and other path ammenities.

2010 Activities