Swampscott group launching new fundraising effort to create recreational walking trail

SWAMPSCOTT-A vote at the 2005 Town Meeting authorized the creation a new recreational trail in town, but implementation of the walking trail is at a crawl.The Swampscott Partnership Initiative Rails Into Trails Inc. (SPIRIT) is launching a fundraising initiative to help procure a recreational easement from National Grid.Marc Barden, one of the founders of SPIRIT, said National Grid has not agreed to allow the recreational easement and the utility company would not place a price tag on the parcel.?We would like to raise at least $50,000,” he said. “We will send them what we believe the value of the property is and if they don’t accept it then we will proceed with other means to obtain the easement. We prefer not to go with imminent domain, but we are prepared to do that if necessary.”According to members of the Rail Trail Implementation Committee, a brochure would be sent out to all homes this week seeking donations to help pay for the recreational trail.Barden said Swampscott resident Craig Grant designed the brochure.SPIRIT, a not-for-profit grass roots community group established in 1999, has lobbied for a 1.1-mile recreational trail for years. The proposed trail would start at Walker Road and continue to the Swampscott/Marblehead line where it would intersect the Marblehead recreational trail.A Recreation Trail Study Committee was formed after a Town Meeting vote in 2003 authorized the selectmen to appoint a committee to study the feasibility of creating the trail.If implemented, the proposed trail would run along an abandoned railroad track, which is currently owned and used by National Grid as a power transmission corridor. The proposed trail would also include property owned by private homeowners, many of whom have opposed the project.Opponents of the trail claim it would be a nuisance that would devalue property abutting the trail because of litter, noise and security problems. Proponents of the trail claim it would provide much needed recreational opportunities for the town.Barden said tax deductible contributions could be made online at www.spirit01907.org or donations payable to SPIRIT could be sent to Town Hall, 837 Humphrey St., Swampscott, MA. He said anyone donating $1,000 or more would get a personalized tribute on the trail.