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Recreation commission backs Peninsula Trail bridge, will send CPC support letter
Summary
The Town of Southborough Recreation Commission voted to provide a letter of support for the Trails Committee’s CPA/CPC application to fund a bridge on the Peninsula Trail, prioritizing safety and ADA access after Phase 1 work; the committee may also pursue a MassTrails grant to match funds.
The Town of Southborough Recreation Commission voted to offer a letter of support for the Trails Committee’s Community Preservation Act/Community Preservation Committee (CPA/CPC) application to build a bridge on the Peninsula Trail.
Kat, speaking for the Trails Committee, said the group is closing out Phase 1 — which installed fencing, ADA parking and Southborough’s first ADA-accessible trail — and now plans to prioritize a bridge rather than a combined bridge-and-boardwalk because bids exceeded available funds. “It qualifies as ADA. So it's our 1st accessible trail in town, and our parking is our 1st accessible parking,” Kat said, describing why the bridge is the critical next step to reroute trail users away from a narrow, unsafe stretch of Route 30.
Kat told the commission the committee had secured multiple funding sources for Phase 1, including a MassTrails grant and ARPA funds, and that previously awarded CPA money remains unspent and could be part of a new application. She asked the Recreation Commission to write a letter of support as the committee prepares for town meeting and a possible MassTrails matching grant in early 2027.
Commissioners asked technical questions about wetlands, accessibility entrances and whether CPC would require another MassTrails application. Travis, department staff, said he had circulated the Trails Committee’s prior support letter and would coordinate scheduling with CPC; the committee and staff discussed meeting windows in mid-July for CPC review. After discussion, Commissioner Christine moved and Don seconded a motion to provide the letter; the motion passed on a roll call vote (Christine: yes; Don: yes; Kristen: yes).
Why it matters: the bridge would remove a segment of trail users from a high-speed roadside area and create an accessible connection that ties into the larger Burrows Loop and Bay Circuit Trail networks. The Trails Committee will present its revised CPA article at town meeting and continue to pursue outside grants to reduce the local ask.
The commission’s next procedural step is to transmit the letter of support and work with CPC staff on the application timeline and presentation to town meeting. The commission indicated it would follow the committee’s timetable and provide assistance for outreach and clear messaging to town meeting voters.
