3. Biking & Hiking Trails
  4. Border-to-Boston

Wakefield Rail Trail

The current southern tip of the B2B trail runs into the MBTA commuter line here in Wakefield. This makes it the southern terminus unless the Trail can somehow run along the commuter rail until it reaches another abandoned rail bed (unlikely or impossible). We may never get to ride or walk from Seabrook to Boston on the Trail. The Wakefield section was conceived in 2007 but it wasn’t until 2020 that the Trail was usable. Just past the merge with the commuter line is a rail yard and storage area still used by the MBTA. Because of traffic and very busy intersections the Trail really begins at Richardson Street. It’s a wide asphalt surface and makes several crossings on busy streets. Very strangely - and frustrating - as of 2023 the Trail is NOT open to the public, despite the Trail being clear and asphalt finished. The reasons are ridiculous: the rail bed is still owned by the MBTA which has not granted public access yet and the crossings are not ADA compliant for people with disabilities. So despite the Trail being completely usable for almost everyone, people are forced to walk, ride, or bike along the busy main streets. I didn’t realize the Trail was truly closed until I got home and read about it. There are signs but I assumed they were old and leftover from previous use. And I would never guess the delay is because of MBTA paperwork.
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  • MBTA switch. Left goes on to Lawrence. Right becomes the Border-to-Boston trail.

    MBTA switch. Left goes on to Lawrence. Right becomes the Border-to-Boston trail.

  • MBTA switch. Left goes on to Lawrence. Right becomes the Border-to-Boston trail.

    MBTA switch. Left goes on to Lawrence. Right becomes the Border-to-Boston trail.

  • The MBTA scrap yard just off the commuter line.

    The MBTA scrap yard just off the commuter line.

  • The MBTA scrap yard just off the commuter line.

    The MBTA scrap yard just off the commuter line.

  • The MBTA scrap yard just off the commuter line.

    The MBTA scrap yard just off the commuter line.

  • Start of the Wakefield Trail.

    Start of the Wakefield Trail.

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  • Just past the end of the paved trail at Salem Street. Don’t stop here! There is an amazing section of trail just beyond.

    Just past the end of the paved trail at Salem Street. Don’t stop here! There is an amazing section of trail just beyond.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

  • The current northern end of the Wakefield Trail. After this point the access gets a little complicated. The rail bed runs through many private yards before reaching Interstate 95. The town is going to have a lot more work to get this section approved and cleared. It’s worked in lots of other communities though so I’m positive it will work out.

    The current northern end of the Wakefield Trail. After this point the access gets a little complicated. The rail bed runs through many private yards before reaching Interstate 95. The town is going to have a lot more work to get this section approved and cleared. It’s worked in lots of other communities though so I’m positive it will work out.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

  • Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path

    Papa’s Path is a short (0.34 mile) trail along the existing rail bed. Someone cleared the brush from the tracks and left the rails and ties. This is amazing and I’ve never seen this done anywhere else. Walking along the ties is not easy but it’s worth it. My iPhone 13 camera doesn’t do it justice. This seems like someone’s labor of love, I don’t know who “Papa” is but I hope the Wakefield Trail stays like this as much as possible.

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    Papa’s Path
    Papa’s Path
    The current northern end of the Wakefield Trail. After this point the access gets a little complicated. The rail bed runs through many private yards before reaching Interstate 95. The town is going to have a lot more work to get this section approved and cleared. It’s worked in lots of other communities though so I’m positive it will work out.