More Miles Added-Trail Phase 2 Dedication
By Pat Rosenthal/Friends of Upper Charles Trail
Saturday, September 24th, 2011

More than 80 people gathered on September 24th, 2011 under the canopy at the Rte 109-Medway Road trail head of the Milford Upper Charles Trail to acknowledge and celebrate the official opening of the Phase 2 sections, expanding the paved length of this rail trail project to 5.7 miles.  Chairman of the Milford Upper Charles Trail Committee, Reno DeLuzio, opened the ceremonies by thanking the members of his committee for their hard work, his wife Jean, for her support and the Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail. Selectman Brian Murray recalled how Conservation Committee Chair, Bob Buckley had an interest in creating a bike trail in Milford. Murray suggested that a ‘trail’ committee be formed.  Buckley and DeLuzio were recognized and applauded as the fathers of the project that began 14 years ago. 

Other speakers at the dedication included State Senator Richard Moore, D. Uxbridge, who helped secure funding for the project.  Special thanks were given to Milford Water Company and National Grid for property rights for the trail.  David Condrey of Milford Water Company presented Trail Committeee Chair, DeLuzio with a $500 check for the continuation of the remaining ‘missing link’ portion of the trail.  Sargent John Sanchioni of the Milford Police Department was on hand to give away 48 bike helmets to children at the event.  The helmets were part of a grant the Milford Police Department received from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.  Friendly's donated coupons for "Free ice cream cones"  to attendees and intended to provide encouragement for bike safety.  Dunkin Donuts provided coffee & munchkins to add to the festivities.

The Trail committee, which has been working on the project since 1997, is responsible for design, environmental permitting, securing funding and construction of a 6.5 mile non-motorized multi-use unbroken trail from the Hopkinton town line through Milford to the Holliston line. Currently the trail consists of 5.7 paved miles in Phase I and Phase II. See more Opening Ceremony Photos on Facebook.

 

Residents interested in joining the Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail can contact DeLuzio at 508-473-7790 or reno@110.net.

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