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Last Updated: 19 days ago
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Linear Park
Opened in 1985 as part the Red Line underground extension from Davis to Alewife, this section was the earliest trail in the area–before the Community Path or Minuteman. A multiple award winning, paved rail trail along the former ROW of the Fitchburg Cutoff Branch.
A redesign started construction in Summer 2025.
Trails
Opened in 1985 as part the Red Line extension from Davis to Alewife, this section was the earliest trail in the area–before the Community Path or Minuteman. As of March 2025, a redesign is expected to begin construction in May 2025.
Improvements include:
* A modest widening of the main path to accommodate its modern usage levels, facilitating safer, more comfortable passing interactions between users and bringing it in line with national design standards for shared-use paths
* Planting over 120 new trees, plus many other plants and a new Miyawaki forest near Russell Field
* Replacing existing dirt desire paths with new stone dust side paths, which will help reduce soil compaction and promote plant growth elsewhere
* Adding/upgrading amenities like trash/recycling containers, seating, water fountains/bottle filling stations, emergency call boxes, and natural play features
* Drainage and irrigation repair/installation, fixing issues like the large puddles/ice patches that form near the entrance
The MCRT is a partly-complete 104-mile rail trail from Northampton to Boston along the former Mass Central Railroad route. Much of the trail, including the Norwottuck Branch Rail Trail and the Somerville Community Path, have been developed as separate projects but will serve as part of the complete Trail.
Timeline
September 19, 2025
A 26 page ruling by the Judge states Plaintiffs have no likelihood of success to the Merits of their 6 Count allegations, nor have Plaintiffs demonstrated risk of irreprovable harm to themselves. In contrast, Cambridge has demonstrated it will suffer from irreparable harm from an injunction, as halting construction includes further health erosion of Linear Park's existing urban forest and foliage. The improvements to Linear Park will be delayed or possibly cancelled by an injunction. Delaying the project would increase the costs to Cambridge and the public. Additionally, the Public would be harmed by delaying the installation of vital safety improvements and amenities. The Project will also remove dangerous obstacles in Linear Park that currently exist to facilitate travel and accessibility.
Construction may proceed again.
August 13, 2025
In Massachusetts Superior Court, Middlesex, plaintiffs allege the circa 1985 shared use path cannot be updated to Federal and State shared use path standards. The Judge issues a temporary restraining order while arguments are made, temporarily pausing construction.
August 2025
June 7, 2022
By 2021, the existing paved pathway surface in Linear Park had deteriorated. The pathway, originally paved around 1985, had become uneven and difficult to traverse in places. The irrigation system to water Linear Park’s trees and grass had become inoperable. The pathway and Linear Park suffered from poor drainage resulting in the pooling of water and ice that were dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists. The light poles were old and provided poor illumination to Linear Park, generating safety concerns. The 10-foot width of the pathway provided bicyclists and pedestrians limited space to pass or maneuver.
Cambridge reaches out to the public with a plan to address all these issues and Reconstruct the Linear Park.
2016
2000
Design of the Belmont-Cambridge-Somerville Path Project begins. This project will accomplish improvements for multiple paths:
* Fitchburg Cutoff Path: Formalize the path, complete the missing Bridge
* Minuteman/Linear Park Connector: Cantilever bridge / path widening along Yates Pond, new paving to delineate the path
* Linear Park: Improve safety of Mass Ave crossing
* Somerville Community Path: Improved connections from Linear Park
1990
November 15, 1989
Fall 1986
The Linear Park Extension from Harvey Street, Cambridge to Alewife Station, Cambridge opens. Linear Park is now sometimes formerly known as the Davis Square to Alewife Linear Park.
Over time, Cambridge will begin to refer to the Cambridge section as simply "Linear Park", and Somerville will refer to the Somervile section, along with the Somerville extensions, as the "Somerville Community Path".
October 17, 1985
Linear Park opens, from Davis Square, Somerville to Harvey Street, North Cambridge.
Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Frederick Salvucci, General Manager of the MBTA James O’Leary, Mayor of Cambridge Francis Duehay, and Mayor of Somerville Eugene Brune dedicate the brand new Linear Park to Cambridge and Somerville for the enjoyment of bicyclists and pedestrians. A bronze plaque was erected in Linear Park memorializing the dedication.
April 2, 1984
The MBTA and Cambridge enter into an Agreement (Easement Agreement) pertaining to the Property. The Easement Agreement granted Cambridge a permanent surface easement on the Property to be used as “a walkway for pedestrians and bicyclists.” The surface land subject to the Easement Agreement between Davis Square and Alewife MBTA stations was named Linear Park.
1982
In the 1980s, the MBTA extends the Red Line. This expansion ran the subway from Harvard Square in Cambridge, through Porter Square, Davis Square in Somerville, ending at Alewife Station in Cambridge. The tracks are placed underground, so MBTA investigates making the surface right-of-way available for passive uses by Cambridge and Somerville. In 1982-1983, plans calling for a pedestrian and bicycle pathway emerge.