Arguments Against Trail Not Supported By Experience Of Others

A Letter to the Editor from Axel Wirth:

I am a supporter of the proposed Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail and member of the “Friends of the Lynnfield Rail Trail.” I believe that the trail will be a great asset to our community. As has been demonstrated in many studies, outdoor recreational and public nature spaces are a significant contributor to physical, mental, and social health and therefore help to promote well being and reduce overall healthcare costs.

It has been suggested that traffic will increase and that there will be not be enough parking. Lynnfield already has enough parking, as the Selectmen-appointed Recreational Path Committee (RPC) stated in their latest “March 2019 Rec Path Committee Update” (available via the town website).

Driving to other towns to use their recreational facilities is not really an option. First, having a recreational amenity right here and easily accessible, with its central location between key town facilities, will lead to frequent, regular use within our day to day activities. Our Medical Community called this “active transportation” in their recent letter in support of the rail trail and stated that the trail will foster better health as well as reduce traffic in and out of town.

Secondly, we need to realize that the surrounding towns’ facilities have been paid for by these communities and their use is not free. If we feel comfortable using them, how can we, at the same time, be concerned about outsiders coming into our town and using the proposed rail trail? And, weren’t we all outsiders when we moved to Lynnfield? And yet, we all found a welcoming community to settle in.

Another question raised is whether crime will increase. As many studies have shown, recreational paths have not been found to increase crime and Lynnfield Police Chief Breen, based on consultation with other local communities that have recreational paths, has stated as such.

Should we be concerned about toxins and environmental damage caused by the construction of the trail? Although contamination at rural rail lines, like the old railroad through Lynnfield, are extremely rare, they would better be addressed than left exposed to erosion by the elements. As the RPC stated in their report, “the site will be safer than it was before … because potential contamination that was unknown will be isolated or removed”.

Over 100 Massachusetts communities have Rail Trails, Recreational Paths or Greenways. These towns tell us these amenities are the top recreational facilities in their communities - the lowest cost to maintain, widely used by all ages and abilities, and providing for overall safer use than exercising on road or sidewalk. Can all these towns be wrong?

Funding is available through MassDOT and Federal sources, allowing us to cover 100% of construction costs, including any potential and unforeseen increase. Currently earmarked funding is $10 million for the rail trail and includes screening for abutters. This money is waiting for us to claim.

Residents - I urge you to vote wisely on April 9th - VOTE YES on the ballot question to advance the Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail project! More information can be found here.

Respectfully

Axel Wirth, Walnut Street