Funding rolls on for Mattapoisett-Marion bike path connector

Nov 30, 2020

MATTAPOISETT — One of the largest fundraising gaps for the Mattapoisett Bike Path — the connection to Marion’s proposed bike path — has been closing thanks to the donations from over 90 households ranging from $5 to $25,000.

The Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path report that the fundraising progress to date has enabled the Friends to issue the $95,000 commitment letter required for the Marion Connector project to be put out to bid in December.

“The generous support for this fundraising effort from so many people demonstrates just how important the completion of the bike path is to our communities,” said Bonnie DeSousa, president of the Friends, in a press release.

The “Marion Connector” will be a half-mile bike and pedestrian path between the eastern end of Industrial Park Drive and the Marion Town line.  (At the border, it will connect with a similar shared use path to be constructed in the future by the Town of Marion.)  It provides a trailhead with handicapped accessible parking and access to the woodland trails of Tinkham Forest and the Aucoot Woods area.  When Marion’s Pathway project (which is funded and currently in permit review) is complete, walking, running and cycling on a paved shared use path will be available between Point Road in Marion, Route 105 in Marion and Industrial Drive in Mattapoisett.

“The Town of Mattapoisett is very grateful to all those who are contributing to this campaign and making it possible to complete the Marion Connector in the near future,” said Mike Lorenco, Administrator of the Town of Mattapoisett.  “The fact that many contributions are from residents of other towns in the area is evidence of the regional importance of the bike path.”  

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.