Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway:
Massachusetts
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Description:
The Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway is currently 3.7 miles long as it runs south from the Chicopee town line to the South End Bridge. Unique features of the trail include its path alongside an active train line, making it a "rail-with-trail," and its passing in close proximity to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

For rail enthusiasts, there are two points along the trail that offer overhead views of passing trains: the bridge that spans the tracks from the Hall of Fame property and the trail bridge that spans the CSX tracks just north of the Memorial Bridge.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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North and South Portions Family Friendly
By Sheila McElwaine on August 05, 2009
Local users of the Springfield segment of the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway in Springfield would take issue with Jorbidy’s review of July 20, 2009. In a series of frank assessments over the past two years of this trail which runs the entire length of Springfield’s riverfront, odors have never been noted as a problem. And while it is undeniable that the central section has its share of urban “edge” including illegal dump sites and shady characters, sections north of West Street and south of Riverfront are well-maintained, well-policed and family-friendly. In fact, negative buzz and lack of use are two of this trail’s greatest problems, and it would be a shame if reviews published on the R-t-C site were to perpetuate them.
Not a safe trail
By Jorbidy on July 20, 2009
This trail is not too fantastic, and not very safe. The smell was overwhelming, and the trail was littered with garbage. The City of Springfield has a lot of work in order to get this trail up to par. Too many transients hanging around.
Trail end
By stewkingjr on August 07, 2008
The trail is pretty much as others have said, it's certainly not the smoothest riding to be had. As for the trail ending suddenly, i remember around '87 or so that the MBTA wanted to run the franklin line further west, paid a large chunk of change to a consulting firm for a report that essentially said that the rail lines had been abandoned and that many of the abutters had legally claimed back the right-of-way. There is no reason why the MBTA wouldn't have been able to take back the land with eminent domain assertions, but they didn't. I don't know their reasons.
This is one of two areas where you can get an overview of the railroad tracks. The view is south and the Basketball Hall of Fame is to the right.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Springfield (Chicopee border) to Springfield (South End Bridge)
Counties: Hampden
Trail Length: 3.7 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6015847

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other New England rail-trails in RTC's New England Guidebook.