State Senator Richard Moore speaking at the public bikeway hearing.

Bikeway Hearing Update
A standing-room-only crowd that included elected officials, representatives from state agencies, bikeway consultants, concerned citizens and various friends groups gathered in Uxbridge on January 28 to discuss the status of Segment 2 of the proposed Blackstone River Bikeway. The audience expressed great enthusiasm for the Bikeway, despite some frustration with the pace of progress to date.

Senator Richard Moore urged MassHighway to complete the design swiftly, to begin construction soon and to address the on-road issues surrounding Balm of Life Spring Road, along Rt. 146A and River Road. There was strong support for including in Segment 2 the relatively short stretch of the Bikeway that runs south from Central Street in Millville, passing by the trail leading down to the Millville Lock to the Triad Bridge. Many attendees felt that this would move the project along and facilitate the connection between the Rhode Island and Massachusetts portions of the Bikeway.

Jan Reitsma, Executive Director of the Commission, stressed the need for the Bikeway design to be environmentally sensitive in order to avoid unnecessary tree removal or landscape alterations that could lead to run-off into the Blackstone River. Director Reitsma also noted the importance of the Bikeway to protecting and preserving the historically significant Blackstone Canal. The meeting was adjourned after just less than two hours of discussion, with many attendees staying to review the Bikeway design plans. Many thanks to the Blackstone River Bikeway Association for providing incredibly tasty refreshments, which contributed to the meeting's positive atmosphere.

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Paddler in replica of Blackstone Canal at Canalfest in Worcester

Worcester Canal Closer to Reality
The June 2003 Canal Feasibility Study said that “freeing the Blackstone” was possible, but there were many skeptics. With the December 2007 announcement by Congressman James P. McGovern that the City of Worcester and the Blackstone Canal Alliance were getting $750,000 in federal money to do just that, the idea of skating down the Blackstone Canal to Kelly Square and back is not so far-fetched. The announcement was made at Fiddler’s Green at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall, a center of local “canal fever”.

Congressman McGovern noted the high level of energy within the Canal District. With the hiring of a design team by the Worcester Historical Museum for the Northern Gateway Visitor Center in Quinsigamond Village, the spring construction of the bikeway extension into Downtown Worcester, the renovation of the Compton & Knowles Loom Works on Green Street, splashy new restaurants and this announcement of new federal money for the Blackstone Canal, this section of Worcester has turned into a hotbed of entrepreneurial spirit.

The money will be used to get the design and preliminary engineering phases started for the replication of the Canal down Harding Street. Keep you ice skates handy; canal water is coming to Worcester once again.

For more information, contact Lead Ranger Chuck Arning at 401-762-0440.

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Executive Director Jan Reitsma, showing off his new NPS uniform and Ranger Suzanne Buchanan sporting her replica 1970s era NPS woman's uniform.

VIP Holiday Reception a Fashionable Success!
The Blackstone Valley Interpreters Network in partnership with the CorridorKeepers hosted the 2nd annual VIP Holiday reception December 18th at the Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury, MA. The Mansion was decorated inside and out in the finest holiday décor. Guests were treated to desserts and punch as they were entertained with a unique interpretive fashion show.

The show’s theme, “Careers Through the Years” featured a whimsical look at the working folks of the Blackstone Valley. Participating in the show were 17 volunteers who created fabulous outfits for the occasion. The careers they portrayed ranged from a farmer, mill worker, tavern owner, and a school teacher to even a seasonal holiday elf! A show highlight featuring his current career was Executive Director Jan Reitsma wearing –for the first time in public -- his official NPS uniform. Also representing the National Park Service was Ranger Suzanne Buchanan who gave the audience a glimpse into the past by wearing a woman’s 1970’s NPS ranger uniform.

Thanks go to all who volunteered for the show. It was met with great enthusiasm from the guests and a repeat performance might happen sometime soon in a Valley community near you. Photographers Michelle Fontaine and Laurie Church volunteered their time and talent to capture the moment!

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