Dang, Springfield’s River Walk takes a lot of abuse. And, unfortunately, I don’t just mean from the pounding feet and spinning bike tires of the people who take advantage of the 3.7 mile stretch of pavement that runs along the Connecticut River.
First, there’s the daunting perception that the trail is unsafe, a sort of crime-ridden land of desperadoes and menacing dark corners. Then there’s the apparent lack of commitment by city officials to keep up the walkway and make it the sort of asset to the city advocates say it deserves to be. (See this report from last fall, by the Springfield Intruder’s Bill Dusty, on both of those issues.) Just last week came the news that a number of trees had been cut down along the pathway, to the dismay and frustration of users.
But advocates for the River Walk are not the types to give up easily. Next week, volunteers will begin a new season of free, guided tours of the path, with the goal of letting people see for themselves just what River Walk offers.
The first tour of the year will take place on Wednesday, May 25, at 12:15, leaving from the Monarch Place fountain at the corner of Main Street and Boland Way. Tours will take place at the same time every Wednesday through September.
For more information, call Sheila McElwaine at 413-788-8898 or email sheila.mcelwaine@comcast.net.
