Land Purchase to Pave Way for Regional River Path

With the approval of two articles at Town Meeting last week, the Andover Trails Committee is now looking forward to the preservation of an 11-acre parcel of land that will be a key part in a future river path.

In addition, the purchase of the property will provide a place for Andover residents to enjoy riverside picnicking as well as other passive recreational activities. 

Annual Town Meeting mustered a two-thirds approval for both article 53 and 54, which allowed the town to apply for a grant for the Reichold land parcel along the Shawsheen River as well as $550,000 to cover the remainder of the cost of the land. 

David Bunting, the chair of the Andover Trails Committee, commented on how this will be a great addition to the open space in Andover as well as a piece of the puzzle in the effort to build a planned bike path that will run along the Shawsheen River from Tewksbury to Lawrence. 

"Assuming a successful closing this will be a major boost to a multi-town greenway along the River from Tewksbury to Lawrence," said Andover Trails Committee chairman David Bunting. 

Those interested in finding out more about Andover Trails can visit the Andover Trails Committee website at http://www.andovertrails.org or by contacting Bunting at dbunting@andovertrails.org.