In 2005 the Topsfield Selection created the Rail Trail Committee

     On May 8, 2008, the citizens of Topsfield voted on a non-binding question. Should the Town of Topsfield create a Rail Trail for recreational use along the former railroad corridor that extends from Wenham to Boxford?" The question passed by a clear majority, ending many months of community discussion.  The Town Rail Trail Committee with the support from the Friends of Topsfield Trails began the lengthy and on-going process of bringing the Topsfield Linear Common to life.​​​​​​​

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     The focus of the first phase was from Washington Street to Main Street. Grants from the Mass. Dept. of Conservation & Recreationa awarded a Recreational Trails grant to the Topsfield and construction began. Another grant from them provided funds for a crub cut with tactile mat on both sides of Main St. Shown here is the new Topsfield Station bilt to resemble a railroad station. On the left is a stylish red bicycle stand and crossing lines provided by the Topsfield Highway Dept.

 

 

On opening day. A great celebaration was had at the Town library as well as on the trail by the Proctor School.​

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The 2nd phase of the trail went from Main St. to Rt. 1.

The Instution for Savings helped with a donation to extend the Park St. parking lot to Summer St. as well as painting parking spaces and bicycle symbols to mark the rail trail. A troubled spot with erosion from water flow during rainfalls received a donation from the BitCon paving company to keep the water flowing on Summer St.​​

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 Continuing on to Rt. 1 and to the Weham Town line we are deeply indebted to the Iron Horse Preservation Society.. They removed the rails and ties, and cleaned up the drainage ditches at no cost to the Town making the trail ready for stone dust. The rails went to Jersey Shore Steel which, of course, is in Jersey Shore, PA. The creosote loaded ties went the Koppers co-generation also in Pennsylvania. A grant from the Dept.. of Conservation and Recreation provided funds to put down stone dust from Summer St. to Rt. 1. The stone dust was aquired from Torromeo in Methuen. It has a large mica content which shines from sunlight giving the trail an alluring look. '

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Please use arrows on the sides for a side show of people

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