The Upper Falls Greenway converted an abandoned railroad route into a pedestrian and bicycle path from Newton Highlands to the Charles River. The Town of Needham and the City of Newton have begun to consider the possibility of extending the Greenway into Needham. Information about this project, called the Newton/Needham Community Way, can be found on the City of Newton website.
This article in the Conservators Newsletter has additional information about the proposal:
The Community Way Forward — A Green Connector for Newton and Needham
An online public meeting to discuss the proposal was held on September 7, 2023. Two plans were considered: one for an extension of the bicycle/pedestrian path, and another (with several options) for a wider corridor that would include a lane for shuttle buses.
Alternative 1: bicycle/pedestrian path
Alternative 2: bicycle/pedestrian/shuttle bus
The proposed trail would be a component of the Bay Colony Rail Trail that is planned to extend from Needham into Dover and Medfield. (Trail map)
Two bridges would be needed to build the Community Way:
- The bridge over the Charles River is where the Greenway now ends. This is the view from Needham.
- A new bridge to replace the one over I-95 that was removed during the recent road widening project
The former railroad bridge (Sep 2014)
Current view of the location
