The Present and Future of the Wayland Rail Trail

Paved roads aren't the only way to get from Wayland to a couple of surrounding towns.

And the Friends of the Wayland Rail Trail hope that those connections get even better in the coming few years.

Larry Kiernan, an organizer with the Friends of the Wayland Rail Trail, explained that the Mass Central Rail Trail spans 104 miles throughout the state. Of those miles, the 26-mile stretch from Waltham to Berlin, passing through Wayland on the way, is currently under the control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The DCR assumed responsibility from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, who owns the land, and, Kiernan said, the ultimate goal is to create a 12-foot wide paved path along those 26 miles.

“The problem is, no money,” Kiernan said. With that in mind, the DCR is working with some local communities and groups to move forward with the project.

Kiernan said that he hopes DCR will move forward with plans this year to conduct a survey, likely by air, of the 26-mile stretch. Once that survey is complete, DCR can go to the MBTA with specific plans for the space.

“We’ve got a decent partner in DCR," Kiernan said. "They’re well intentioned, but under funded.”

Kiernan said that while paving remains the long-term goal, it seems that DCR is now comfortable with a stone dust path, which is a cheaper and easier to install.

“My hope is, in the next year or two in Wayland, the tracks and ties are removed, and we have a stone dust path,” Kiernan said. Assuming the survey takes place as planned, Kiernan said he and others involved with the Friends of the Wayland Rail Trail will work to find a low-cost or no-cost cotractor to remove the ties and install stone dust or packed dirt.

In the meantime, the trail is open for use. Kiernan said he and his family use the trail to walk or bike into Weston from time to time, and Claypit Hill students used the trail May 9 to walk to school.

The Friends of the Wayland Rail Trail work to keep the trail maintained, mowed and smooth. They are also keeping in contact with the DCR and preparing for the future of the trail. He asked that if anyone notices an area of the trail that needs maintenance, they contact him at larrykiernan04@gmail.com.

“It would be helpful if we got the towns along the trail to demonstrate their enthusiasm,” Kiernan said. “This is a great thing, and we need to be doing it.”