Two events are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 to help celebrate all of the progress on the trail over the past summer.
The Fall Colors Ride will begin at noon on Saturday, Oct. 26 near the Tufts Boathouse at 200 River’s Edge Drive in Medford. The 10-mile ride will follow the paved section of the Northern Strand Trail in Everett and Malden as well as some of the River’s Edge paved trail. A short portion of the ride will be on road with the option of riding on a sidewalk.
Those who wear costumes will be eligible to win a one-year membership to Bike to the Sea and a collectible Northern Strand bicycle bell. The ride is free and registration begins at 11:45 a.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the end of the ride. Riders must wear helmets and be at least 8-years-old. Riders 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children 7 and under may join the ride as passengers with a responsible parent or guardian.
Community Garden Celebration
Immediately following the ride, the opening celebration of the Community Garden will take place on the Northern Strand Trail between Faulkner and Bryant streets. The celebration will include lettuce tasting, music and other family fun events and is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This summer progress on the trail included the paving of the Malden and Everett sections, a 4.1-mile stretch from West and Wellington streets in Everett to Linden Square in Malden. The Malden section of the trail was paved with support of capital funds from the city of Malden. The Everett section was paved using Gateway Community funds provided by the state. Fay, Spofford and Thorndike Inc. developed the designs for Malden and Everett.
Iron Horse Preservation also completed the surfacing of the Saugus section this summer.