SAULNIER BIKE TRAIL LETTERBOX:

NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Planted:                August 24, 2003

Length:                Westside Trail to Clark 's Point; 1.4 miles

               Eastside Trail to Clark 's Point; 1.4 miles

                              Complete Loop ; 3 ½ miles

                              Fort Taber Park ; Drive by   

Difficulty:            Easy. Flat, paved trail.

Directions:

From I-195, take exit 15 to Route 18 south for 2.8 miles to a traffic light at Cove Street , where Route 18 ends. Continue straight on West Rodney French Blvd. , down along Clark's Cove.

To start from West Beach; Park along the street near Hazelwood Park or turn left up Valentine Street, then right on Brock Avenue to the entrance of Hazelwood Park. A parking lot is located here. The trail runs between Clark's Cove and West Rodney French Blvd.

To start from Fort Taber Park (Drive by); Continue down West Rodney French Blvd. and turn left onto South Rodney French Blvd. The park entrance is on the right where you meet East Rodney French Blvd. Note the entrance to the Wastewater Treatment Facility on your right after you pass through the entrance.

This bike trail has three distinct segments. The Westside Trail runs alongside Clark's Cove, with completely wide open views. The Eastside Trail runs alongside New Bedford Harbor , with views of Fort Phoenix across the waters in Fairhaven . Finally, the third segment passes through the many paths of Fort Taber Park at the end of Clark's Point. Fort Taber was constructed in the late 1850's to guard the city's harbor and today its tall granite walls still stand. In later years, Fort Rodman encompassed the surrounding land with additional fortifications that are still visible and served as an active military post during World War II. A second Letterbox is located along the Phoenix Bike Trail in nearby Fairhaven . See;  PHOENIX BIKE TRAIL LETTERBOX  . If you have time, I would defiantly visit the New Bedford Historic District, located off Route 18 in New Bedford . There is a National Historical Park Visitor's Center located there as well. For more information check out; NEW BEDFORD-NPS  .

Starting from West Beach along the Westside Trail; The bike trail starts out separated from the sidewalk for the first ½ mile and then becomes one massive paved trail. It runs alongside Clark's Cove and is completely open to the elements. You come to South Rodney French BLVD after ¾ miles.

Note; You may follow the trail along this road for a shortcut to the Eastside Trail, but I recommend continuing straight along the trail as it heads towards Fort Taber Park.

This is the quietest segment on the trail, as it passes the west side of the water treatment facility and runs past the old fortifications encompassing Fort Rodman . After 1 ¼ miles, a trail to your left will take you to the parking lot, but continue straight, passing by Fort Taber and out to the tip of Clark's Point. Here they have telescopes along the sea wall looking out over Buzzard's Bay. Looking back towards the fort, you'll see Clark's Point Lighthouse on top of the fort. There are many intersecting trails in the park, so be sure to explore. From the tip of Clark's Point, travel around the fort and past the snack bar/restroom pavilion that also contains a playground and head out past the parking lot. About a ½ mile from the Point, just before the entrance, you will see a building to your left called Camp Kennedy . To the left of this building is the entrance to the water treatment facility. Between the entrance and the building are an orange fire hydrant and two orange posts. A black fence runs behind the building and then turns down alongside the water treatment entrance. Walk alongside the fence towards the water treatment facility for only a few steps until you see a pile of sticks and leaves tucked underneath the fence. The Saulnier Bike Trail Letterbox is here. Please recover the box well.

Note; Exiting Fort Taber, you may take the trail left, alongside South Rodney French BLVD , back to the Westside Trail.

Exit Fort Taber and continue straight up the Eastside Trail alongside New Bedford Harbor . You pass by East Beach and then a cement pier. If you look out into the harbor you will see Butler's Flat Lighthouse. After 1.4 miles from the Point, the trail ends at Butler Street . To complete the loop, head up residential Butler Street and you will come to the entrance of Hazelwood Park after a ½ mile. West Beach is at the western end of the park.

HH

CLICK HERE FOR MAP

CLICK HERE FOR FORT TABER PARK MAP

LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON

MARCH 1, 2009

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BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE

WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER

BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING

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