Old Framingham Sewer Pump Now Cochituate Rail Trail Parking

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Cochituate Rail Trail users now have a new place to park to access a newly opened portion of the non-motorized path.

The Framingham Department of Public works demolished a former sewage pump station near 85 Speen St. to create the new parking area. The pump station has been idle since 2021. The city also installed a new crosswalk from the parking lot north across Speen Street to the trail.

“New parking will further encourage residents to explore this wonderful amenity that promotes healthy living and brings our community together,” Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer said in a news release.

Over the summer, a new section of the Cochituate Rail Trail opened between the Framingham and Natick Center, including two new bridges over Route 30 and Route 9. Before the extension, the trail only traveled from Saxonville to the Natick line.

The lot includes four parking spaces, including one that's handicap-accessible.

“Although this area is limited in size due to being located close to wetlands, the need for public parking in Framingham for the Rail Trail was paramount regardless of the number of spots we could accommodate,” acting public works director William Sedewitz said.