MATTAPOISETT — The Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path are asking for donations towards the construction of the “Marion Connector” that would join the path between the two towns.

“We are very excited that we are so close to making this piece of the bike path a reality,” said Bonne DeSousa, President of the Friends. “This multi-use path will provide safe, off-road access for runners, walkers and cyclists, not only to Marion but also to trails leading to the Tinkham Forest, to the Old Rochester Regional High School campus, and to a host of beautiful wooded trails on Sippican Lands Trust Property. 

At the border of the towns, it will connect with a similar shared use path to be constructed in the future by the Town of Marion. 

The town was recently awarded a $110,000 state MassTrails grant for construction of a section of the bike and pedestrian path between the eastern end of Industrial Park Drive and the Marion Town line, known as the "Marion Connector.” 

While state funding for trail projects has been cut back, the grant gives the town an opportunity to continue building the shared use path. 

Since the town is looking to combine the connector project with its Industrial Drive reconstruction project (already funded from federal and town money), it is looking to private sources to make up the remaining difference.

The budgeted construction cost for the Marion Connector is $410,000. The town is authorized to match any non-town funds dollar for dollar. 

If the Friends can raise $95,000 in commitments from private sources, the project will be fully funded and can be put out to bid this December with the other planned Industrial Drive improvements. 

Construction of the Marion Connector could then begin next year and open by the end of 2021.

The Board of the Friends has taken on this fundraising challenge, already raising more than $50,000 in cash and commitments for this project, so only $45,000 remains to be raised.

When the Marion pathway is built, DeSousa said the connector will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to walk, run, or ride from the harbor in Fairhaven to Point Road in Marion on low traffic roads or paved trails away from heavily traveled roadways.

Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-mattapoisettmarion-connection or by mail to Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, PO Box 1336, Mattapoisett, MA 02739

The Friends is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, so contributions to the Friends for the construction of the Marion Connector are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. The 

Friends will apply 100% of contributions toward the construction of the Marion Connector.

Commitments payable during 2020 or 2021 will count toward the required funding.

For more information on the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, visit mattapoisettrailtrail.com.