Cochituate Rail Trail
Mile 1 markers on Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick, Massachusetts
Length3.7 miles (6.0 km)
Began construction2014
Completed2021
UseWalking, bicycling, inline skating
DifficultyEasy
SeasonYear-round
SightsLake Cochituate, Cochituate State Park
SurfacePaved
Right of wayFormer Saxonville Branch of Boston and Albany Railroad
Maintained byFramingham and Natick
Websitehttps://www.friendsofnaticktrails.org/crt

The Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT) is a rail trail in Framingham and Natick, Massachusetts. The CRT is a 3.7 miles (6.0 km), 12 feet (3.7 m) wide paved multi-use trail, available for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, and other non-motorized uses.[1][2] It follows the right-of-way of the disused Saxonville Branch of Boston and Albany Railroad which was railbanked.[2] The trail is maintained by the Towns of Natick and Framingham.[3] The CRT is named after Lake Cochituate, of which it offers scenic views.[4]

The CRT runs from Mechanic Street and Whitney Field/Navy Yard in Natick Center to Saxonville in Framingham. The Framingham section was completed in 2015, and the Natick section, including two pedestrian bridges spanning Route 30 and Route 9, was completed in 2021.[5][6] There is a 0.2 mile spur in Natick named the Wonder Bread Spur in honor of the former ITT Continental Baking Wonder Bread factory, now connecting to the Natick Mall.[7] The trail was built to meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.[8]

Three extensions are planned:[1]

  • The CRT will expand to the MBTA Natick Center Station when the new rail station is finished, which is scheduled for 2024.
  • Natick is designing a connection to Main Street in Natick Center.
  • MassDOT is designing a path along Route 9 to Hartford and Speen Streets in West Natick; construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Cochituate Rail Trail Natick-Framingham Access Map". Town of Natick, Massachusetts. September 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Town of Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Public Information Meeting". Town of Natick, Massachusetts. March 21, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee Newsletter, Issue #12". Town of Natick, Massachusetts. September 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ "The Meaning of "Cochituate"". www.millermicro.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  5. ↑ Schwan, Henry. "Late summer opening expected for Cochituate Rail Trail in Framingham/Natick". MetroWest Daily News. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  6. ↑ Caushi, Toni. "Walk this way: Cochituate Rail Trail inaugurated on Tuesday". MetroWest Daily News. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  7. ↑ mm (2021-06-25). "Cochituate Rail Trail Shows Success". Belmont Citizens Forum. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  8. ↑ "Cochituate Rail Trail". BETA Group. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  9. ↑ Brown, Bob (2023-10-20). "MassDOT public hearing set for Cochituate Rail Trail extension in Natick". Natick Report. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
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