If You Build It, They Will Come
Photos by Carolynn Henderson
Yes, Holliston built a “Field of Dreams.” The Town built a recreational rail trail that spans the length of the town from Milford to Sherborn. All 6.7 miles are traveled by walkers, strollers and bikers. The trail has become central to the “get out and exercise” routine of many people. There’s little doubt the trail has exceeded our expectations.
Over the last six months, two electronic counters have kept track of how many people use the trail. Counters were installed near Blair Square and Village Plaza. Analysis of the data collected breaks out which days are the busiest and what the averages are for various months. Here’s some of the general data from the last six months:
- 94,121 people passed the Blair Square counter (some are round trip hikers) * (charts for Blair Square are at the end of the article)
- 15,000 is the monthly average *
- 40,154 people passed the Village Plaza counter (again, some round tippers)
- 8,200 is the monthly average
As you’d expect, weekends are the busiest and, surprisingly, Tuesday is the busiest day of the weekdays. The bulk of use falls between 10 AM and 4 PM daily. These figures don’t even take into account trail use on the south end of the trail toward Milford and the stretch toward Sherborn. Users have their favorite time slot and location for being on the trail whether it’s the 8-arch bridge, the Phipps Tunnel, the Blue Heron rookery or just a shady section of trail to enjoy.
The Rail Trail Committee and the Friends of the Holliston Rail Trail work cooperatively to maintain and enhance the usefulness of this town-wide treasure. The trail has been met with solid support and continual use. As the movie theme suggests; “We built it and they did come.”
17 Comments
As a runner, walker and biker over thirty plus years of trail use of various stretches I have observed the progression from rundown and neglected to one of the Crown Jewels of the town. A run from South Street to Blair Square was nigh impossible with permanently flooded stretches, trestles in dangerous disrepair, and treacherous uneven surfaces. A bike ride over the eight arch bridge was to take one’s life in one’s hands.
Kudos to you, Ken, as well as the leadership of the trail committee and every volunteer who has brought this about and to the town for supporting it. Well done!
Great stats. Thanks to the many volunteers who maintain the trail and pick up the dog waste.
It is more popular than the train was. 😄
It’s a wonderful trail and Holliston is very lucky to have the volunteer support that it receives – I noticed recently that the animal waste baskets near Blair Square were overflowing and all over the ground – I didn’t know who to call
Good point Henry. In 1954 there were 200 daily riders on the train. By 1959 that number dropped to 30 per day. The last passenger train to Milford was Friday, March 27, 1959, after 111 years of service.
I was one of those 30. I commuted to Boston through Framingham. I still miss it. The trail is a great preservation of those days.
A tremendous asset for the Town.
Living near the Holliston/Milford line on the trail, I can attest to how much the adjoining trails are shared by residents of both towns! (And Bob, thanks for the trains facts. 70-80 years ago, my Mom would ride that train from Boston to visit her grandmother on Pleasant St.)
It would be great if it was fully paved too…crushed gravel is nice but it’s rough for strollers and will wash out in time.
We are so lucky to have this beautiful resource–it has kept me sane over the past few months. Thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers!
Crushed gravel is better for drainage and environmentally better.