2022 Was A Huge Year For Local Trails: Look Back

SUDBURY, MA — It turns out 2022 was a pretty massive year for non-motorized trails in the area.

From the opening of a marathon-length trail in Marlborough to major moves on completing the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, local residents were treated to new options over the last 12 months — and the promise of much more to come.

Here's a look back on the year in local trails:

Twin Cities Rail Trail

This delightful new trail linking Leominster and Fitchburg opened in June, the culmination of nearly two decades of planning and work.

Marlborough Panther Trail

The 26.2-mile Panther Trail opened in October, marking the completion of a loop that travels through Marlborough's most notable green places — from the Assabet River Rail Trail to Callahan State Park and Williams Lake. The trail also links to the much larger Boroughs Loop Trail, connecting all the local "borough" communities.

Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Sudbury wrapped up the design phase of a 4.4-mile section of the trail from Route 20 to the Concord line, and is preparing to start design of another section south from Route 20 to Framingham. Meanwhile, Framingham officials in December signed an agreement with railway owner CSX to buy 3.5 miles of corridor from Sudbury to Route 9 to complete the last piece of the trail. When complete, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail will span 25 miles from Lowell to Framingham.

Mass Central Rail Trail

There's a big gap in this planned Boston-to-Northampton rail trail between Wayland and Hudson. But this fall, Eversource began work on a project to bury power lines under a former MBTA rail corridor through Sudbury and Hudson. Once that work is complete, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation will pave the corridor to create a new link — that is, if legal challenges don't hold up the process.

BWALT

The Boston Worcester Air Line Trail in Westborough would be a major new addition to the region's non-motorized trail system. Although still in the planning stages, the town in 2022 developed an implementation plan for its section. The BWALT could someday span Framingham to Worcester.

SNETT

Down south, state crews improved a key piece of the 22-mile SNETT in Bellingham. A new section from Center Street to Route 126 became passable in the fall; it was previously muddy and overgrown.

Chris Walsh Memorial Trail

Just last week, the U.S. Congress passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill. U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark tucked $3.2 million into the bill for this trail in Framingham. The first phase will improve the Sudbury Aqueduct to connect Cushing Memorial Park to near the MBTA station along Route 135.

Bay Colony Trail

The 1.3-mile Medfield Rail Trail officially opened in October, adding a new section to the Bay Colony Rail Trail. When complete, it'll span 7 miles from Newton to Needham, Dover and Medfield.

Did we miss 2022 trail news? Email neal.mcnamara@patch.com.