For Brian and Kate Rooney and their three young children, Marblehead’s Rail Trail is more than a place to walk or ride a bike. It’s a route to school, the beach and downtown — and one of the reasons they chose to live in their neighborhood.
Now, the couple hopes to give back to the popular 4.5-mile pathway by launching a Friends of the Marblehead Rail Trail group to help maintain, beautify and celebrate one of the town’s most-used recreational assets.
Their effort comes as Marblehead has secured a $718,000 state grant for trail improvements. Town officials are expected to hold a community meeting soon to discuss next steps.
The Rooneys, who live near the trail on Pilgrim Road, use it regularly with their children Eoin, Finn and Grace.
“It was a huge selling point for us moving to Marblehead,” Kate said.
Their vision is straightforward: Build a network of residents willing to roll up their sleeves and make the trail safer, more accessible and more inviting.
Projects could include seasonal cleanups, trimming overgrown vegetation, planting flowers, installing educational signs or even planting a community garden. The Rooneys also hope to organize events that encourage more residents to enjoy the trail.
The Rooneys stress that they don’t want to duplicate the town’s work or become an adversarial voice in sometimes contentious discussions about the trail’s future.
“We really want to work collaboratively,” Kate said.
Brian added that the couple has been communicating with town officials, including Community Development and Planning Director Brendan Callahan and Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, about how volunteers might complement municipal efforts.
They’ve also spoken with representatives of the Friends of the Swampscott Rail Trail, which helped establish that community’s trail and now organizes activities such as litter pickups and educational projects.
Small fixes, big difference
While the town pursues larger improvements, the Rooneys believe smaller problems shouldn’t have to wait years for attention.
Brian pointed to barriers, known as bollards, near the Salem end of the trail that can make access difficult for some users.
“That doesn’t need to wait 10 years,” he said.
Kate recalled stretches where overgrown vegetation encroached several feet into the pathway last summer. Volunteers could help tackle such problems in coordination with town departments.
The couple also sees opportunities to showcase the trail’s history.
During a recent walk, Brian pointed to remnants of a concrete bench that once served railroad passengers — a piece of local history many trail users likely pass without noticing.
Interpretive signs explaining the former rail corridor or identifying plants and wildlife could make the trail more engaging for children and adults alike.
A trail for everyone
The new group is forming amid debate over how much the Rail Trail should be improved — and how much of its rustic character should be preserved.
Some residents worry about additional surfacing, benches and amenities, while others favor upgrades to improve accessibility.
The Rooneys aren’t looking to take sides.
Brian pointed to newer crushed-stone sections as examples of improvements that provide a smoother surface without creating a paved, urban-style pathway. Other stretches, particularly toward Salem, remain uneven and affected by tree roots.
He believes there’s room for compromise, including practical safety measures such as signs at crossings without adding unnecessary signage elsewhere.
The goal, the couple says, is to give residents a constructive voice in the trail’s future.
Building a community of volunteers
So far, approximately 50 to 60 people have expressed interest in the fledgling organization.
“All the messages we’ve been getting from the submissions are so positive, and people are so excited,” Brian said. “They talk about how important the Rail Trail is, and they want to help.”
The Rooneys are inviting interested residents to a casual meet-and-greet Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to noon on the section of the Rail Trail between Smith and Pleasant streets.
Neighbors can meet the organizers, share ideas and learn how to get involved.
For the Rooneys, the goal isn’t another committee that simply talks about the trail. It’s a community of people willing to help care for it.
“We just need to get this network of volunteers behind us and get a unified voice,” Kate said.
For a family whose daily life revolves around the path just steps from home, it’s a natural next step.
To learn more, visit marbleheadrailtrail.com.
***The town announced Nov. 3 that it will hold a community meeting about next steps for the Rail Trail project on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom.
