Great recreational choices are a wonderful benefit of NRWA's work to protect our natural resources. There are many places throughout the watershed where people can enjoy pristine water for paddling or fishing, beautiful trails for hiking and biking, and more. Several interesting places for a riverside walk are located in Fitchburg.

The North Nashua River winds for 7.5 miles through the heart of the City of Fitchburg. As a river within an urban setting, it offers great opportunities for open space and recreation for city residents. The river has, in fact, been viewed as a focal point for urban revitalization efforts. Through a grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET)* the NRWA has been working with the City, North County Land Trust, the Fitchburg Greenway Committee, the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, and others to improve water quality in the North Nashua River to ensure a cleaner river and more recreational opportunities. To read more about this project.

Here are riverside recreation sites in Fitchburg that are worth a visit:

WEST FITCHBURG STEAMLINE TRAIL

The riverside Steamline Trail.

The 4.15 acre Steamline Trail Park, opened in 2006, features scenic walking trails along the North Nashua River and Flag Brook. The ¾-mile trail, the first in the city to run alongside the river, offers scenic views of the North Nashua River and Flag Brook that were hidden from public view for years. This unique trail reminds hikers of the city’s historic link to the river as it begins at the old Central Steam Plant and follows alongside the pipes that once powered Fitchburg mills.

North Nashua River at the Steamline Trail.

Visitors have views of historic mill buildings and the dams that once provided their power. The park is the first implementation of the City's plans to develop a network of trails along the North Nashua River, connecting to trails in Leominster and Westminster.

Directions: The park is located at 465 Westminster Street. There is parking and a small picnic area available. Link to map.

GATEWAY PARK

Site concept drawing for Gateway Park.

Gateway Park (currently being constructed) is located on Sheldon Street, just over the bridge that crosses the river. The park will be a “gateway” to the North Nashua River and the historic mill district and will eventually feature a variety of recreational spaces including community gardens, a picnic area, parking as well as easy access to extensive conservation lands to the north. An outdoor classroom and environmental education venue are also planned for the park. (Source: City of Fitchburg)

Directions: The park is located on Sheldon Street, which is off of River Street. A parking area will be located off Sheldon Street near the intersection with West Street. Link to map.

RIVERFRONT PARK

Riverfront Park before renovations.

This site, previously a defunct rubber plant and community eyesore, is now a green gem on the banks of the North Nashua River. Visitors to downtown Fitchburg can walk along a paved pathway and continue over the North Nashua River on the pedestrian bridge. The park has walking paths, gardens, and benches. It offers a calendar of free family movies, concerts, and festivals, including a unique Forge-In Blacksmith Competition. The river will soon be more visible to visitors of the park when the concrete wall at the banks of the river is removed. Granite steps that lead down to the water’s edge will be installed along with other improvements. Construction is anticipated to be completed summer 2010.

Directions: The park is accessed by Commercial Street off of Boulder Drive. Parking is available at the nearby 400 Main Street parking deck. Link to map.

*About Massachusetts Environmental Trust

The Massachusetts Environmental Trust is a grantmaking organization that protects and preserves water resources and their related ecosystems throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All Massachusetts' drivers have a unique opportunity to safeguard the Commonwealth's waterways by purchasing an environmental license plate.

Choose one of these four license plate designs to support MET.

There are four design choices – “Right Whale & Roseate Terms”; “Leaping Brook Trout”; “Blackstone Valley Mill"; and "Land and Water.” Proceeds from the sale of the plates to more than 70,000 Massachusetts residents have funded more than $16 million in grants for environmental projects across the state. To learn more about the Massachusetts Environmental Trust and the programs it supports. To order a license plate, visit your local Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles or log on to www.mass.gov/rmv.

Remember, your purchase of an MET plate helps support NRWA and other worthy environmental projects! To support the NRWA directly, we hope you'll consider becoming an NRWA member. To learn more about NRWA membership.