Public Comment in Support of Community Path Extension

March 15, 2016

To the MassDOT Board, the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board, GLX Interim Project Manager Jack Wright, and MassDOT Assistant Secretary for Policy Coordination Katherine Fichter:

The Somerville Road Runners are a RRCA & USATF certified running club geared to all ages and abilities with over 400 active members. In 2016, SRR is celebrating 20 years as a recognized community organization in the City of Somerville, and we are committed to promoting the sport of running as a healthy activity in our community and among our members--regardless of age, ability or background. We are a charitable, non-profit organization that sponsors many events a year including weekly runs, track workouts, annual races and a free community-based non-competitive youth running program for kids. Since 2007, SRR has contributed almost $250,000 in charitable donations raised through our club races and other fundraising efforts.

We support the Friends of the Community Path's efforts to advocate for the fully built construction of the Community Path from Lowell Street in Somerville to North Point in Cambridge in conjunction with the Green Line Extension.

The existing Linear Path from Alewife to Davis Square and on to Lowell Street are heavily used not only as vital links for transportation in our community, but a safe and convenient off-road link for runners throughout all seasons. Somerville is the most densely populated municipality in New England; as such, open space is at a premium. We hope that you will continue to allow for more safe, family-friendly linear parks like the Community Path to help reshape how residents work, live, and play in our city in the coming decades.

Thank you for your consideration of this public comment.

Sincerely,

Urvi Mujumdar, President, president@srr.org
John Gorvin, Community Coordinator, community@srr.org
Brendan Kearney, Race Director, races@srr.org
On behalf of the Somerville Road Runners