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Print Friendly MapThe Mayor James J. Fiorentini Bradford Rail Trail is constructed along the former Georgetown Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad and runs along the Merrimack River in Bradford, MA. It runs nearly a mile along S Elm St. until reaching Washington Landing Park, which has signage commemorating President Washington's visit there in 1789.
Along the route, trail users will find an old relic of the trail's railroad history. The trail features a telltale, a warning device that warns old brakemen to lay down for an incoming bridge.
In 2020, the Haverhill City Council voted to name the trail in honor of the town's Mayor, James J. Fiorentini.
There is parking designated for the trail in between the Yacht Club and Washington Landing Park, 30 Ferry St.
My wife and I walked the trail. We found it to be scenic and safe. It is level and good for walking and biking. We found the other users to be friendly.
We will be using it along with the other trails we use in the city.
Although open and available to the public, the Bradford Rail Trail is still in the same condition it was after being acquired several years back. The rail tracks have been replaced with a hard pack trail and there has been some cleanup efforts as well. However, behind the scenes much work, planning and design has been happening in conjunction with Mass DOT, National Grid, Groundwork Lawrence, BRT Committee members, the City of Haverhill and many others. Over $2MM in federal funds has been secured for the trail development. (http://www.eagletribune.com/news/article_867ceab2-28a6-11e4-b216-001a4bcf887a.html) Work will be starting soon with an initial focus on the 2/3 mile stretch between the Basiliere and railroad bridges. This will create a south side corridor to complete a 1.5 mile loop along both sides of the river. There are future plans to extend east along south side of the Merrimack River to connect into the Groveland and Georgetown rail trails, also in process.
The trail is not very scenic in the summer. You get glimpses of the river but it's mostly covered with foliage. It ends at a restaurant in a part of town that doesn't seem very safe. We won't be doing this trail again.
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