The Town of Andover invites members of the community to attend a public forum on the Haggetts Pond Rail Trail project on Monday, September 11th from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Robb Center, located at 30 Whittier Court. The event will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Town’s plan to convert the existing railbed along the western edge of Haggetts Pond into a fully accessible, multi-use path and to provide input on the design of the project.
The project seeks to enhance the conditions of the existing trail at Haggetts Pond, improve parking options at the site, and to fulfill the longstanding community priority of creating an accessible trail in Andover that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.
The proposed trail would span 1.6 miles, beginning at Bellevue Road and ending at High Plain Road. Plans for the trail include construction of a wooden boardwalk that will offer a scenic vantage point of Haggetts Pond, as well as improved and expanded parking areas on Haggetts Pond Road, High Plain Road, and Bellevue Street.
Click here to learn more about the Haggetts Pond Rail Trail project.
Planning for the Haggetts Pond Rail Trail has been in progress since 2016 when the Town commissioned the Institute for Human Centered Design to complete an inclusive design review at the site. The project gained momentum this year with the Town of Andover’s receipt of a $500,000 grant through the Commonwealth's MassTrails program and a subsequent reallocation of ARPA funds to support construction of the trail.
The upcoming public meeting will mark the second forum hosted by the Town of Andover regarding the Haggetts Pond Rail Trail. The first forum was held on August 16, 2023 at Memorial Hall Library. A recording of that meeting can be viewed at the link below. The Town also hosted a site walk along the trail earlier this week with nearby residents, members of the Commission on Disability, and other stakeholders.
The Town will mail notices regarding the public forum to abutters of the project site in early September.
Click here to learn more about the Haggetts Pond Rail Trail project.