Work on the French River Greenway Trail has also begun, with the basic trail concept identified in the French River Revitalization Concepts Document, and the formation of a Steering Committee of interested organizations. The National Park Service is providing technical assistance, and state funding for planning activities has been secured by our state legislators. More Information on this project can be found on the French River Greenway website |
This document may be viewed using Adobe Reader, which you may download here |
Many other concepts are identified, including streetscape enhancements to invite people from Main Street to the river. Our task now is to identify, with the help of elected officials and others, the most compelling and "do-able" projects, and begin to seek funding for them. This began with the production of advocacy materials built on the material already developed, funded in part by a Greater Worcester Community Foundation Land and Water Stewardship grant. Additional support was provided by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund. The first such project is a Water Trail Assessment Study, in partnership with the Oxford Open Space Committee, funded by the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor. This study, conducted by University of Massachusetts Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning students, describes and ranks the feasibility of potential public access points for paddling along the river. |
French River Connection RIVERFRONT REVITALIZATION |
This page was last updated on: March 3, 2008
In 2005, the Green Valley Institute and University of Connecticut senior Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning students performed a study to identify resources along the French River between the towns of Webster and Dudley, which offer the opportunity to make the river a more valuable community resource for recreation and economic development. The study began |
with a public charrette, and concluded on December 7 2005 with a presentation to the public in PowerPoint form. The "backbone" of the concept is a French River Greenway which, running along the river, would connect the Quinebaug Rail Trail from Southbridge to Webster with the Midstate Trail in Oxford. Along or near this greenway are opportunities for boat launches, parks, viewpoints, and historical appreciation. Here are a few of them. |
A viewpoint at the historic Perryville granite block step dam. A boat launch could be just upstream, and the nearby granary could be used as an interpretive center |
An empty lot in downtown Webster becomes a riverfront park and boat launch |
A viewpoint on the 1868 stone arch bridge on main street |
A empty mill parking lot becomes part of the French River Greenway |
A field near Collins Cove containing an old railway turn-around becomes a park. A boat launch is nearby, and the greenway runs through it. |
Many other concepts are identified, including streetscape enhancements to invite people from Main Street to the river. Our task now is to identify, with the help of elected officials and others, the most compelling and "do-able" projects, and begin to seek funding for them. This began with the production of advocacy materials built on the material already developed, funded in part by a Greater Worcester Community Foundation Land and Water Stewardship grant. Additional support was provided by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund. The first such project is a Water Trail Assessment Study, in partnership with the Oxford Open Space Committee, funded by the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor. This study, conducted by University of Massachusetts Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning students, describes and ranks the feasibility of potential public access points for paddling along the river. |
Our results are published here: |
This document may be viewed using Adobe Reader, which you may download here |
Work on the French River Greenway Trail has also begun, with the basic trail concept identified in the French River Revitalization Concepts Document, and the formation of a Steering Committee of interested organizations. The National Park Service is providing technical assistance, and state funding for planning activities has been secured by our state legislators. More Information on this project can be found on the French River Greenway website |
