Walking the South End segment of the CT River Walk & Bikeway
For a group of supporters of the Springfield segment of the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway, this past Wednesday, May 20, was a day to check out how the River Walk has been getting along since they last held a series of three walking surveys at about this time last year.
Group organizer Sheila McElwaine was joined by her fellow River Walk activists and also some supportive city officials as they toured the southern portion of the paved pathway that extends from nearby the South End Bridge on up to Riverfront Park. The survey group included Parks Department manager Michael Tully, the City Planning Department’s principal planner, Scott Hanson, and also the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s Jeff McCullough, among other notables, as they strolled the pathway on a warm and sunny afternoon.
As the group walked along, one of the most noticeable aspects of the River Walk was how well maintained it was – even in these financially-strapped economic times. There was very little trash, the grass was cut, and Springfield Police continued to patrol the area, lending a clean and safe environment to both the Park and the walkway for visitors.
That is not to say, however, that some issues do not remain. Two of the key stumbling blocks to getting more things done along the River Walk have been property ownership and access/egress rights.
The skywalk that extends over the railway at the current LA Fitness building, for example, continues to be a headache for those seeking better access to Riverfront Park and the River Walk. Just who actually owns the skywalk has long been a mystery. The elevator on the LA Fitness side of the railroad tracks, meanwhile, has been in questionable condition for quite some time – its door was stuck open on our visit there (though it was closed upon our return trip, later on). The City has fixed the elevator in the past, but is at a loss as to who to bill for the work done.
On the park side, ramps lead up to the railroad-traversing skywalk.
James Buker, of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club and LA Fitness, walks along the skywalk with Jessica Collins, of Partners for a Healthy Community.
River Walk activist Herb Singleton inspects the skywalk elevator.
From the observation deck above the skywalk’s elevator, it really is one heck of a view. (click image to enlarge)
On the park side, the City owns both the Riverfront Park land and the property that the River Walk follows. But only Riverfront Park itself is designated as “park land” – meaning the River Walk land does not enjoy the same protections as park land that Riverfront Park enjoys. The result has been an overlap of City department jurisdictions, leading to a mish-mash of job responsibilities. For example, rather than park rangers, Springfield police patrol the main section of Riverfront Park while on their way to the River Walk pathway. Meanwhile, the Parks Department maintains both the Riverfront Park property and River Walk property, according to Parks manager Michael Tully. (The Parks Department uses a private contractor for these services.)
Trees and invasive plant growth blocking the view of the Connecticut River was also an issue cited by both River Walk activists and users.
Then there is the matter of the railroad that separates West Columbus Avenue from the Park and River Walk properties. That land is the jurisdiction of Amtrak, and they are quite protective about where folks can cross over the rail line. This has led to a predicament for the South End portion of the River Walk, in particular: The last point of entry or exit from the River Walk leading south is the skywalk by LA Fitness. From there, the Walk leads to a dead end. Supporters are hoping to someday see a southern exit leading to the Julia B. Buxton (South End) Bridge, but until that day comes, the railroad egress restriction remains a problem.
Mile markers do exist along the River Walk, but they can be obscured by both graffiti and overgrowth.
Finally, the South End Bridge crossing itself is an issue for River Walk supporters. The Bridge leads into Agawam, where that city’s own River Walk segment begins and continues on southward. But the Bridge’s current sidewalk area is narrow and in bad condition – a risky venture for those cyclists and recreational walkers out for a day trip.
After the survey, some other suggestions were offered by one of the survey participants via email. Group member Mark Hambley suggested such improvements as more signage along Columbus Avenue (presumably both East and West Columbus) directing visitors to the Park and River Walk, as well as trash receptacles along the pathway and perhaps concession stands located at or near the Riverfront Park entrance. (Some downtown users of the River Walk also mentioned they would like to see the latter idea come true.)
Returning to Riverfront Park, the survey group came across this class from the Duggan Renaissance Expeditionary Learning Pilot School. Teachers have been using the Connecticut Riverfront as a learning tool for students studying English literature (poetry) and social studies (how ancient civilizations used rivers).
Eventually, River Walk enthusiasts are hoping for a Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway that extends unobstructed from Agawam to Northampton. But there is still much to be accomplished both in Springfield and in the other towns and cities nestled in between those destinations before that far-reaching goal can be achieved.
Below is a short, 5-minute video of the walking survey from May 20. The video includes a short clip of a guy fishing next to the Mill River outlet to the Connectcut River – not recommended!!
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15 Responses for “Walking the South End segment of the CT River Walk & Bikeway”
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Nice job as usual, Bill. Thanks so much.
The biggest barrier to the use of the riverfront is the highway, which should have been built on the (largely still wooded to this day) other side of the river. I’m convinced, but can’t prove, that the highway was built where it was because of shady real estate deals involving local politicians and others who cashed in on the eminent domain takings. It was a terrible crime against the entire city, destroying one of Springfield’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods, contributing to the decline of downtown by making it easier to bypass and crippling the economic possiblilities of the riverfront. I wish the riverfront supporters the best of luck, but some crimes, once committed, cannot be undone.
Lots of crimes once committed cannot be undone and unfortunately while the Riverwalk is a diamond in the rough, because of the “deals” which allowed the highway to come through the neighborhood decades ago, the Riverwalk will NEVER be what it could have been. We can pour money into it, we can police it, we can continuously clean it up, but the damage is done and cannot be undone.
Feel the same way about Longhill Gardens. Once you commit the crime, it cannot be undone.
LEARN from past mistakes and DON’T make new ones.
Netgal,
You are so right….Many should be involved not just a few chosen few in order to bring healthy ideas to this area.
Gosh, it seems as though some people have a hard time appreciating it when things actually improve and prefer hash over decisions made a lifetime ago.
If Springfield is to improve its attitude and its image, we would be better off making the most of existing infrastructure, including the Riverwalk and other parks, our traditional neighborhoods, waterways andour abundant grassroots energy.
In any case, since netgal, Phoebe and td sound like people who will never use the Riverwalk, nobody should pay attention to their contributions to this discussion.
Sorry SMcE, I’ve already been down to the Riverwalk several times. I love it! But I also know what the problems and issues are and sticking my head in the sand won’t make them go away. I believe in learning from past mistakes.
Riverwalk has HUGE POTENTIAL, but what will hold it back is the fact that a lousy decision was made some time ago, and like it or not, that decision cannot be undone. That is why it is imperative that we learn from the past and do not repeat the process of making further lousy decisions on other City issues.
I guess thinking ahead and making good decisions for the future is not a valuable contribution in your book. Learning from the past and thinking ahead in order to make better decisions: I guess nobody should pay attention to such a notion!
My bad! I guess I was just thinking things through too much for some folks.
By the way, great pics and great coverage on the issue Mr. Bill!
I’m glad net gal has visited the Riverwalk and actually loves it and that she supports “thinking ahead and making good decisions for the future.” Given her interests, it is surprising she isn’t more supportive of efforts to identify and address barriers to the Riverwalk’s reaching its full potential.
What is to be gained by dwelling on what might have been had different decisions been made 40 or 50 years ago? This is like my wishing that in 1939 my mother had married someone other than my father so that today I’d be a tall and elegant old lady instead of the person pictured on Bill’s blog.
The truth is that all of us can either make the best of current reality or we can sit around moping about how imperfect decisions made long ago have resulted in less than perfection today.
I also walk the river with several friends on this side and the Agawam side and enjoy my time with good friends…my dog loves”river walks” so please do not judge people so harshly.
It is hard not being perfect………….
and……….history is important….trying not to repeat it even harder….
Perhaps S, you have misread my post.
Moping? Nothing to be gained by “dwelling on the past”? “Wishing your mother had married someone else?”
Tee hee, how silly. The reason they teach history in school is so that people can learn from it. The reason we acknowledge the past and past mistakes, is so THAT WE DO NOT REPEAT THEM with other issues in our lives. I do believe that is “moping” but rather, “cultivating wisdom.”
I agree with TD – and most scholars, academics, economists, world leaders, enterpreneurs, businessmen, etc., if we do not acknowledge and learn from our past mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. It is vital for an educated society to “get” (among other things) that: some crimes, once committed, cannot be undone. If we don’t learn that basic tenent, we will just keep comitting those crimes that will continue making things worse for us all.
“Make the best of current reality” is good enough for some, but I prefer to educate myself and learn from past mistakes so that we make better decisions for a better future. That is the end goal: a BETTER future.
Silly ol’ optimistic me!
By the way, you look pretty good in the pix, so maybe your Mom married the right man after all.
The real problem is Amtrak and their refusal to cooperate. Is there not some way that we can get Neal to lean on them to allow more access, or even better relocate the tracks to any other area?
Do you have any ideas along these lines, Greg? Have you contacted Rep. Neal on this matter?
Want to try out the Riverwalk, but hesitant because of scary stories?
Your big chance to try it out with confidence and in good company will come this Friday, June 5 between 11am and 2pm when Health New England will sponsor its second Riverfront promotion event.
HNE staff and other Riverwalk enthusiasts will be out in force, running, striding and strolling up and down the 3.7 mile path. They’ve even invited Mayor Sarno.
So whether you’re a newbie or an old Riverwalk hand, mark your Friday lunchtime calendar for a stroll (or a run or a brisk trot) along the banks of the beautiful Connecticut River in Springfield.
PS Don’t forget to wear a hat and lots of sunscreen.
I’d like to add my comments to some of the previous ones that were discussing I-91 being built through the South End. In the mid-late 1950′s it was going to be built on the opposite side of the river, running through West
Side. The city politicians at the time were indeed instrumental in switching these plans to put 91 on the city side and from 1961 to 1962 all the home owners in the then Italian area of Columbus Ave and it’s side streets had to leave after recieving payments for their homes. My grandparent’s house was one of them.
I was 10 years old at the time and living in the South End. I saw this neighborhood become a ghost town, houses emptied out on side streets that no longer exist and the Walker St Playground and ball field turned to weeds. Small family owned merchants that made up the heart of the neighborhood were shuttered. This occurred only on the West Columbus side. The east side remained untouched, but by the late ’60′s became isolated as the massive hills of dirt and construction became a “Berlin Wall” to the entire Italian community.
Accusations from the entire community were ones of bias against the Italians and that putting 91 through Springfield was “an answer” to get rid of their ethnic neighborhood. Of course, none of this could be proved. Mayors Brunton and Ryan (in his 1st term) allowed this to happen. During Ryan’s administration in the 1960′s, urban renewal completed razed both sides of Main St in the North End from the Arch to the Greek Church, saw many downtown blocks torn down to create more parking lots and sadly did nothing to save the wonderful downtown movie theaters after their owners closed them. Ryan’s than Freedman’s administrations allowed the majestic Loew’s Poli Theater on Worthington St to be razed in 1967 for a stupid garage; the Capitol, Bijou and Arcade soon followed. During Brunton’s administration,in the ’50′s, city polticians stood by as the historic Court Square Theater and Broadway were razed for again…more parking lots. The Art Theater, close to the Paramount went down because a bank wanted to build on it’s site.
The mindset of today, thank God, is not demolish our history, architecture
and cultural heritage, but to preserve them and find new uses for them like Northampton has been doing for decades. Yes, it’s hard to say what all these places and the South End would look like today if I-91 never came through the city and the downtown not torn down. In my opinion, it would be a hell of a lot better than crossing the Memorial Bridge and looking at two upscale hotels, bank buildings and garages! I’m 57 years old and haven’t lived in Springfield since 1979. I was a South End kid and damn proud of it!
I enjoyed, as everyone else, the many, diversified stores, restaurants and movie theaters that made up a bustling, vibrant downtown. So, that’s why I’m sharing this with all of you. Springfield once had something good, but the political morons back then (hey Ryan…I sure hope you read this!) couldn’t grasp an old bit of wisdom: If it’s working…don’t fix it. They didn’t fix it back then, they destroyed it.