PEABODY — The city plans to spend $500,000 this summer building a nature path winding through Emerson Park to keep walkers and bicyclists safe from Perkins Street traffic.
The project, which also includes making Perkins Street safer with 1,600 feet of new sidewalk, is part of the city’s Complete Streets program. Adopted by the City Council in 2016 as part of a state-wide transportation improvement initiative, Complete Street makes sure local streets are designed and, if necessary, rebuilt to provide equal access for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists in an effort to promote safety and alternative ways of getting around.
“The Perkins Street sidewalk is definitely in need of work and the path will allow people with small children and on bikes additional access to Emerson Park,” said city engineer Will Paulitz.
Peabody matched a $400,000 state grant with $200,000 provided by the city Community Preservation Committee to pay for the Emerson Park and Perkins sidewalk work.
The park path will be 800 feet long and about eight to 10 feet wide, running through the park from James Street to Fay Avenue. Classified as a “multi-use path” under Complete Streets guidelines, its construction will preserve parkside parking along Perkins Street while providing room for walkers, bike riders, and skaters.
“It won’t be on Perkins but it won’t be too far into the park,” Paulitz said.
Emerson Park and the skate and dog parks located off Perkins are near Higgins Middle School and a large tract of open space that city planners are examining for additional projects aimed at balancing open space and safe walking and bicycle access along Perkins Street.
In addition to new sidewalks constructed from James Street to Franklin Street, Paulitz said Perkins Street will be outfitted with new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps and three “rapid flashing beacons” similar to the one where the bike trail and Russell Street intersect. The lights warn drivers to watch for pedestrians preparing to cross a road.
Although the city obtained $600,000 for the sidewalk and path work, Paulitz said city officials hope to spend about $500,000 on the project. The city put the project out to bid last year and officials are preparing to review contractor bids.
