Springfield residents call for greater use of Connecticut River bikeway

Link to September 6 Springfield Republican article.

Carol A. Costa, a downtown resident, who is a member of the self-described booster group, said Friday she knows Springfield has tried to maintain the 3.7 mile bikeway in Springfield while under budget and staffing constraints, but believes much more can and should be done.

"It's about time people stepped it up and started taking care of it and presenting it as the little gem that it is," Costa said. "So many cities would be thrilled to have a wonderful resource right next to them like the Connecticut River. Springfield has it. So many communities would love to have a bike path. We have one."

Costa said a bike path can attract families and bring a lot of positive activities and energy to the downtown area.

The group is hoping that much of the overgrowth along the path be removed to open the river view, Costa said. In addition, the city should continue efforts remove litter and graffiti, place trash containers, consider ways to improve safety and security, and repair the $1.5 million elevator that was to provide a major access point to the path via a bridge over railroad tracks.