We would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters again for their generous donations to the Friends of the Swampscott Rail Trail in 2021 and share exciting trail updates and the status of our continuing fundraising efforts.
Since we kicked off our major fundraising campaign about a year ago, we have come close to our initial goal of $250,000, raising over $180,000. Using these funds, on August 24, 2021 we presented a gift of $150,000 to the Town of Swampscott for the continued design and engineering of the Swampscott Rail Trail. That design and engineering work will allow Swampscott to seek federal funding for the construction of the remaining segments of the trail, including a pedestrian bridge over Paradise Road. We are striving to reach our fundraising goal in 2022 and ask you to consider donating again!
We hope you have had a chance to use and enjoy the two completed segments of the Swampscott Rail Trail beginning at the Marblehead/Swampscott line and extending to Bradlee Avenue. We are working with the Swampscott Conservancy to plant more native shrubs and perennials along the margins of the trail. Next spring, we will hold a grand opening event to celebrate the completion of these segments and to thank all of our donors and supporters.
We are moving forward with completing additional segments, focusing particularly on those that provide families with safe access to the Middle School, Stanley School, and the future twin elementary school at the Stanley site. To that end, the Town has received a new grant in the amount of $200,000 from the MA Shared Streets and Spaces Program.
In addition to the tremendous outpouring of donations in response to our initial solicitation, we have had a successful summer of additional fundraising. With the support of many who donated their used bikes and trikes, we held several bike sales. At our Farmers Market table, we sold bike bells and stickers, raffled off Red Sox tickets and gifts from local businesses, and offered a bike repair station. Many have come by to chat, learn about the trail, sign up to help, and add a few dollars to our donation jar. We also held raffles at a July North Shore Navigators game — thanks to those who joined us there! These activities have raised over $6,000 of additional funds for rail trail development.
We are currently working on maps and signage for the completed segments of the trail which will feature the fabulous Swampscott Rail Trail logo. Please find enclosed a logo decal as an additional thank you for your support. These decals are weather-resistant and durable, you can use them indoors or outdoors, and you can re-stick them over and over!
We are excited that our recently raised funds have gone directly to meet the next steps for completion of the trail. Now we need to continue our efforts and raise $70,000 to meet our initial fundraising target. We are asking the community to help us once again in this effort. If you can make another donation at this time, of any amount, you will help us reach our goal! You can donate by check or securely through our partner the Essex County Community Foundation here.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we hope to see you on the trail!
