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Trail Today

Thank You!

The Holliston Newcomers Club has awarded Holliston Trail Committee funding for the last 3 years.


News & Events

Efforts to convert abandoned (and not abandoned) rail beds and preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Metrowest date back to as early as 1993.  The events in Holliston that led us to where we are today are summarized below.

1993 The Holliston Open Space and Recreation Plan outlines goal to seek creation of a bikeway with linkage to surrounding towns using existing abandoned railway.
December 1994 Upper Charles Conservation, Inc., a local land trust, approached Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) concerning a proposed multi-use path utilizing a railroad right-of way. In April, 1996 MAPC prepared and submitted a grant application under the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority’s Public Works and Tourism grant program. A grant was awarded in May 1996 and work on the study began in July 1996.
January 10, 1995 Holliston Board of Selectmen issued letter of support for the feasibility of the Upper Charles Trail.
Sept. 18, 1995 Holliston Board of Selectmen letter to Conrail Corporation requesting abandonment of its line in the Town of Holliston.
March 12, 1997 Letter from Board of Selectmen to Conrail Corporation requesting interest in lease of 2-mile section of rail.
May 6, 1997 Holliston Town meeting votes to authorize Board of Selectmen to enter into a lease agreement with Conrail Corporation.
May 1997 Holliston Board of Selectmen issue Resolution in Support of the Upper Charles Trail and Town will assume maintaining and policing the section within the Town’s borders.
May 21, 1997 Public meeting held in Milford on Feasibility Study being performed by MAPC.
June 1997 Metropolitan Area Planning Council issues the "Upper Charles Trail Feasibility Study. The study finds that the Upper Charles Trail is feasible.
July 28, 1997 Conrail grants Town of Holliston an easement for use of a 2-mile portion of its abandoned railbed for use as a trail. Portion is generally from Cross Street to Hopping Brook Road.
1998 Town of Holliston applies for grant under Transportation Enhancements for $500,000 for the construction of a 2-mile section of Upper Charles Trail.
October 20, 1998 Holliston receives approval from Massachusetts EOTC for funding of Phase 1 ($500,000).
January 25, 1999 Holliston Board of Selectmen voted to create a committee of 7 members creating the Holliston Trails Committee.
August 16, 1999 Holliston Board of Selectmen voted to approve Greenman Pedersen, Incorporated as Designer for Holliston’s Phase 1. Contract is for $50,000 for the design of the 2-mile section of the trail.
October 4, 2000 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Highway Department holds a public hearing on the 25% Design Submission for Phase 1 project plans.
November, 2000 Town Meeting approval for $20,000 for appraisal and acquisition assistance on Phase 2 portions of the trail.
November 27, 2000 Upper Charles Conservation Land Trust, Inc. establishes account for donations to the Trail under 501 (c) (3), non-profit provisions.
June 29, 2001 Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. submits the 75% Design Submission to Massachusetts Highway Department for review and approval of the Holliston Phase 1 section.
July 10, 2001 O’Connor Real Estate Associates, Inc. completes appraisal report for 3 sections of the railbed (excluding Phase 1, 2-mile section).
January, 2002 Trail Brochure completed and printed under Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Greenways Grant.
February, 2002 MHD issues comments on 75 % Design Submission of the Holliston Phase 1 section.
May, 2004 A separate "Friends of the Upper Charles Trail" group was established for the purpose of raising money for interim trail use and maintenance until such time that the improvements are installed, and for special
improvements or amenities for the trail. The "Friends of" are preparing a documentary DVD of the Boston and Albany railroad and the impact that the railroad has had on the town. The video will be used to generate funds
for the trail. The "Friends of" are also coordinating the acquisition of a caboose to be used as a potential visitor center in the proposed Town Common area.
January, 2005 The governor of Massachusetts has signed the Transportation Bond Bill which has earmarked the funding ($1.25 M+/- ) for the purchase of the entire railbed in the Town of Holliston and a portion within Sherborn. Therefore,negotiating the deal with CSX and getting that money released are key
to getting the Phase 1 under construction.
February, 2005 Phase 1 "construction costs" are secured under TEA 21 funds ($ 450,000). The use of these funds is waiting on two items. The first is that the
Massachusetts Highway Department must review and approve the construction documents, being prepared by the town's consultant. This is pending.
June, 2005 The Trust for Public Land (a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that facilitates corporate land transfers is involved with helping CSX come to an agreement with the town on the sale of the corridor. We are also pursuing legal advice and other resources to secure unbiased and independant appraisals.
June 17th , 2006 The Milford Phase One section from the center of Milford to an area north of Route 495 and 85 has been completed. It is a great preview of what our trail is going to look like soon! Visit Milford's Upper Charles Trail website to see the latest developments. The friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail meet regularly at the Senior Center on North Bow Street in Milford. Check out their website to find out when the next one is.
October, 2007

A $10,000 grant was awarded for improvements to the rail trail from Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI)

February, 2009

Third party appraisal is completed and provided to CSX and Town of Holliston.

March, 2009

Phase 1 construction funding under Transportation Improvement Program was removed by the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization.

March 10, 2009

CSX agrees to third party appraisal and commences negotiations on the sale of the Right of Way.

November 13, 2009

Town of Holliston purchases Parcel (0.5 miles) between an area west of Hopping Brook Road to South Street.