BURRILLVILLE – From the scenic and historic features in Gonyea Park to wooden pathways providing views of the Pascoag River, a pedestrian Riverwalk in progress for decades is now getting an extension.
Work is underway on a pedestrian bridge connecting the Pascoag Riverwalk from its current end behind Sayles Avenue over the river into nearby High Street Park. SumCo Eco Contracting out of Peabody, Mass. will begin pouring abutments within the week, and then setting the structure, a 90-foot, pre-fabricated aluminum bridge with 9-inch decking planks featuring a ribbed surface for traction.
The project was funded with help from a $200,000 federal Pedestrian Improvement Grant sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. In addition to the bridge, the project includes new wood decking for an existing boardwalk connecting to the larger Riverwalk and signage, part of an ongoing effort to add amenities and life to the once blighted village.
Jim Langlois, chairman of the Burrillville Redevelopment Agency, noted that a crosswalk will also soon be added to bring foot travel across High Street to Gonyea Park. Once home to the Pascoag Woolen Mills, the site now features picnic tables and multiple seating areas including a permanent installation providing shading, and views of the nearby waterfall and concrete remains of the mill structures.
The new bridge will mark completion of a stretch of pedestrian walkway that begins in the scenic park, situated by Cow’s Tail Deli, and winds through the center of the village, ending in the parking lot behind the Pascoag Post Office. Phase I of the project, which connected the Bridgeway to Sayles Avenue, was completed in 2006.
Town officials, encouraged by the ongoing progress, posted a writeup on the pathway on the town website several years back.
“It is said that failure is an orphan, success has many parents,” the page notes. “Pascoag Riverwalk has only been open a few months, and it is already a stunning success. Its many parents include the residents who recognized the natural beauty hidden behind the buildings, the business community that saw a connection between ease of access and access to their stores, the Town Council and Burrillville Redevelopment Agency who committed funds and staff to the project, and the town planners who sought grants and oversaw construction.”
Just one element of a decades long effort to promote economic growth and recreational opportunities in Pascoag, members of the agency hope that the Riverwalk will continue to grow. Town officials have spoken to property owners along the river about possible acquisition with hopes the pathway could someday extend out to other recreational trails in town.
Town Manager Michael Wood updated the Town Council on the project this week, noting foundations for the bridge are now going in, along with new planking in an area that carries walkers over wetlands.
“That will connect up our Riverwalk,” said Wood. “That will have a network all the way down through town and through the village.”
Soon, the new aluminum bridge, similar to the one currently in place behind the WellOne building, will be lowered in over the river with a crane. The project, Wood noted, should be finishing up in the next six to eight weeks.
The federal grant required matching funds, set aside in the town’s capital improvement budget, with SumCo coming in as the low bidder for the project at a cost of $553,600. Department of Public Works Director Jeff McCormick completed the grant application, secured by Reed in the federal budget in 2022.
