A meeting was held on September 13, 1010 in the Government Center hearing room to begin planning a historic and scenic bicycle route from North Fall River to North New Bedford on the Old Fall River Road. It was understood that the process of developing an official route would take many years, but the thought was that a series of initial events would spur interest in the project and help to identify supporters. The group focused on planning an initial ride between the two cities along Old Fall River Road on November 7th, with a rain date of November 14th. The possibility of riding on the historic route that connected Steep Brook to Hixville was discussed but dismissed. These roads pass through the Watuppa Reservation and Copicut Woods and are remote and picturesque, however, many sections are in serious disrepair and are not suitable for most bicycles. A follow-up meeting was planned at 6:00 p.m. on September 27th at the New Bedford Economic Development Council office, 1213 Purchase Street (Quest Building) to continue planning. For more information, call or e-mail Julianne Kelly, chairwoman of the Open Space & Recreation Planning Task Force, at 508-324-2405.

(Top row, left) Jim Cusick, and Karen and Brian Pearson look over some of the maps of possible bicycle routes in and around Fall River. (Top row, right) Fall River Mass In Motion coordinator Julie Kelly shows the map of possible routes to the audience as Open Space & Recreation planning team members Al Lima and Stefani Koorey listen from behind. (Bottom row, left) Jim Hornsby makes a point about the process of getting the Brayton Avenue bicycle path built. (Bottom row, center) Bill Paille, project manager for Weston and Sampson in Foxborough, describes some of his experiences in bicycle path planning the Cochituate Rail Trail that will run from Framingham to Cochicuate as Fall River Water Division Forester Mike Labossiere and Father Kelly Neighborhood Association member John Sylvia listen. (Bottom row, right) Bob and Al Lima talk about some of the challenges in creating new bicycle paths following the meeting.