On December 12, 2015, walkers at Heritage State Park got back most of the half-mile-long boardwalk along the Taunton River that they have been using for years. The boardwalk has been undergoing renovation for most of the past year. "Sandy and Joe of Swansea have been walking on the boardwalk for the past three years but have had to switch to the paved path away from the water during construction. "Quite a few people come here already, but it could handle a lot more," stated Joe. Henry and Irene Langlois of Fall River have been walking every day since they were married fifty-three years ago. "I love the fact that it's improving Fall River," stated Irene. The $3.5 million project has replaced much of the supporting structure as well as the decking with 30,000 square feet of a South African tropical wood that is expected to last at least fifty years. The original pine decking had become very rough and difficult to walk on. The remaining work will include repairs to the footbridge that connects to Heritage State Park. Click here for a three-and-a-half-minute video. Click here for the Herald News article about the opening. For more information on walking routes, go to www.WalkFallRiver.org.

(Top row) Walkers, including Keith, Jumiar and Jaredd Winn, center, enjoy the boardwalk. (Row two) Henry and Irene Langlois from Fall River and Sandy and Joe from Swansea enjoy the newly refurbished boardwalk. (Row three) Work continues on the structure and is expected to be complete later this month. (Bottom row) Kayla Truchon and her seven-year-old daughter, Cheyanna enjoy the unseasonably warm December weather along with other walkers.