CONNECTICUT RIVER BIKEWAY LETTERBOX:
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Planted: August 25, 2004
Length: Springfield section; 3 ¾ miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, paved trail.
Directions:
Springfield section; From I-91 southbound; Take exit 6 to Columbus Ave. Columbus Ave is a one-way road (southbound only) so if you come from another direction, you need to make sure you enter it from the northern part of town. At the bottom of the ramp, you'll see the Visitors Center to your right. Turn in the first driveway past the center and go around the backside of the Visitors Center to reach the parking lot. The Visitors Center is located next to the old Basketball Hall of Fame building.
Springfield section; From I-91 northbound; Take exit 6 to East Columbus Ave. Note; They are currently rebuilding the exit ramps along I-91, so in the future, exit 5 will take you right to the Visitors Center. Take the first left underneath the highway to West Columbus Ave. This will take you to the Visitors Center.
Agawam section; From I-91, take exit 3 to Agawam, Routes 5 & 57. After crossing over the South End Bridge, take the first exit, Route 57, to a rotary. Take the first right off the rotary to River Road. Travel less then 1 mile to the start of the trail, which is across from the Pink Elephant ice cream Shoppe. There is a small short term parking lot next to Pumping Station #4 or you can continue down River Road where there is more parking along the trail.
The Connecticut River Walk & Bikeway is a planned 13 mile corridor running adjacent to the Connecticut River from Chicopee, through Springfield and into Agawam. Parts of the Springfield and Agawam sections are complete, but need to be joined over the South End Bridge.
From the Visitors
Center; Head north up West Columbus Ave.
to the old train station. Cross the active tracks into
Riverfront
Park. The Bikeway passes through the 7 Acre Park, which contains a promenade
overlooking the
Connecticut River, along with benches and a pier for boat cruises on the river. There is also a
map board located here.
For the Letterbox; Head south along the trail, which travels above the banks of the river located on your right and next to the railroad tracks on your left. The trail briefly splits, with the bikeway to the left and a brick lined walkway to the right. After a ¼ mile you'll come to a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks that take you to the old Basketball Hall of Fame and a parking lot. Take a quick detour up and over the tracks to an observation platform on the opposite side. Good views of Springfield and the river. You pass by the new Basketball Hall of Fame across the tracks at 0.4 miles. At about a mile, you'll come to two benches overlooking the river on your right. From these benches, take 23 paces (2 steps = 1 pace) further along the trail, first passing by an Oak tree on your and then coming to a two-trunked Oak tree also on your right , but a bit further off the trail. Behind this tree is a pile of old railroad ties. Lift up the top tie closest to the tree and then remove the piece of tin to find the Connecticut River Bikeway Letterbox. Please replace the tin as found as it helps protect the box. The trail currently ends at just over a mile, with plans to link it to the Agawam section of the trail via the South End Bridge.
Heading north from Riverfront Park, you'll travel down a ramp and past a wooden dock. After only a ¼ mile you travel underneath Memorial Bridge. You then enter a ramp bridge which takes you directly above a double set of railroad tracks at a ½ mile. These tracks lead east to Springfield's Union Station and west over a trestle across the Connecticut River. After exiting the ramp, you then have a short on-road section on what I believe to be Clinton Street. You reenter the trail next to Pumping Station # 3. Continuing down the trail, you travel on top of the flood wall until you come to Marina Park and the North End Bridge at just under 1 ½ miles. There is a cross light here across busy Route 20. The trail continues on top of the flood wall and currently ends at the Chicopee town line at just over 2 ½ miles. Here you will find a couple of benches overlooking the river.
Agawam section; From Pumping Station # 4, the trail travels south along the Connecticut River with more open views of the river then the Springfield section. The trail parallel's River Road, but is separated by large wooden guardrails. There are benches located along the trail overlooking the river. You come to more parking spots next to the trail after 1 ¼ miles. You pass by another Pumping Station at 1.4 miles and finally the trail currently ends after 1 ¾ miles. A crosswalk over River Road will take you to the Ed Borgatti Field, which contains ball fields and a parking lot.
HH
LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
AUGUST 08, 2009
TO EMAIL A VERIFICATION
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING