Congressman Stephen F. Lynch and Mayor Joe Sullivan recently announced that the Monatiquot Riverwalk in Braintree has been selected to receive technical assistance from the National Park Service.  The project aims to transform abandoned former industrial property into green space to connect commercial areas, transit, neighborhoods and recreation fields with the Riverwalk, a walking trail along the Monatiquot Riverwalk.  Selected from a field of competitive requests, it was only one of two new projects accepted this year in Massachusetts.

“I am very pleased that the Town of Braintree will receive National Park Service support for the Monatiquot Riverwalk.  I congratulate Mayor Sullivan and the Town of Braintree for all their hard work in securing this technical assistance through such a competitive process,” Congressman Stephen F. Lynch said.

“Once again Congressman Lynch has advocated strongly for Braintree,” said Mayor Sullivan.  “This Riverwalk project will be a great recreational asset to our East Braintree area and protect our waterfront for generations to come.”

The Town of Braintree, through the Mayor’s Office and the Planning and Community Development Department, is leading an effort to connect commercial areas, transit, neighborhoods and recreation fields with the Riverwalk, a walking trail along the Monatiquot River.  In the past year, with leadership from Mayor Sullivan and assistance from the Community Design Resource Center of Boston, a conceptual plan for expanding and enhancing the trail was developed.  Over the next year, the National Park Service’s River and Trails program staff will assist in trail design, interpretive signage and identifying funding sources. 

“The National Park Service is proud to support such capable partners and eager to help contribute to enhancing the Monatiquot Riverwalk in Braintree.  We were especially impressed by all the support letters we received from the community,” said Charlie Tracy, Director of the NPS River & Trails program in Massachusetts. 

Through the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, the National Park Service helps communities and neighborhoods develop new trails and greenways, and protect and manage open space and improve rivers.  These projects are locally-led with National Park Service staff supporting community based conservation and recreation leaders.  This year, 52 projects in the Northeast region were selected to receive technical assistance from the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.  In 2011, program efforts helped over 175 communities leverage $1.65 million in funds for targeted projects.