Alewife Linear Park/Somerville Community Path

Alewife Linear Park is a beautiful paved trail stretching 2 miles east from the Alewife T-station in Cambridge to Cedar Street in Somerville. The park came about after the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (the "T") put its Red Line underground; between the Alewife and Davis T-stations, the subway runs directly beneath the trail. The trail's urban/suburban locale and its direct link to the 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway makes this a busy commuter and recreation corridor. Note that while dogs are not permitted on the trail, local residents often break this rule. Watch where you step.

The west end of the trail starts at Russell Field, an attractive, well-designed park with a football gridiron and field house, baseball diamonds, water fountains, bike racks and a loop cycling path. A few blocks beyond the park, you'll need to cross busy Massachusetts Avenue.

Near the trail midpoint, a tree-lined brick path leads directly to the Davis T-station. From here east the trail is referred to as the Somerville Community Path. Several wind-activated structures on brick-and-steel pillars depict scenes of historical Somerville. Cyclists may use any of the numerous bike racks and, outside of rush hour, you may choose to take your bike on the train for a further exploration of metro Boston.

Or continue past the station, through the hip Davis Square neighborhood and back onto the Alewife Linear Park/Somerville Community Path for almost another mile to Cedar Street. Along the way you'll pass a couple of parks, including one with a playground. East of Cedar Street the trail is slated to continue another 0.25 mile. Additional plans call for the trail to be extended to Cambridge and Boston as part of the Green Line extension (light rail) of the MBTA.

By subway, take the Red Line to Alewife or Davis Square. Bicycles are permitted on subways during off-peak hours on weekdays or all day on weekends. To reach the Alewife T-station, and trail parking, take Interstate 95 to Exit 29A and head east on the Concord Turnpike/State Route 2 toward Arlington and Cambridge. At the end of the turnpike bear right on Alewife Brook Parkway then turn right on Cambridge Park Drive. The station is on the right and the trailhead is behind the parking garage. For more information, visit www.mbta.com.