Dover Votes for Rail Trail, but no Needham Connection

Image Credit: Needham Railtrail.org

NEEDHAM, MA - While Dover will get a rail trail, don't expect to be able to bike there via the trail anytime soon.

Last week, Dover town meeting voted to let the town negotiate a 99-year lease with the MBTA to use an abandoned railway for a bike path, but the original plan to connect the two towns by the path is off the table for now.

Kevin Ban told WBUR that he hoped the trail could connect to Needham and Medfield, but conversations with residents indicated that such a proposal would be unpopular.

Opponents feared that the trail would attract more people and a possible increase in crime.

The final vote was 475 to 334.