Cochituate Rail Trail

{{Short description|Rail trail in Massachusetts, United States}}

{{Infobox trail

| name = Cochituate Rail Trail

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| photo = Mile_1,_Cochituate_Rail_Trail,_Natick_MA.jpg

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| caption = Mile 1 markers on Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick, Massachusetts

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| began = 2014

| completed = 2021

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| length = {{convert|3.7|mi}}

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| use = Walking, bicycling, inline skating

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| difficulty = Easy

| season = Year-round

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| sights = Lake Cochituate, Cochituate State Park

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| surface = Paved

| ROW = Former Saxonville Branch of Boston and Albany Railroad

| maintainer = Framingham and Natick

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| website = https://www.friendsofnaticktrails.org/crt

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The Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT) is a rail trail in Framingham and Natick, Massachusetts. The CRT is a {{convert|3.7|mi}}, {{convert|12|ft}} wide paved multi-use trail, available for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, and other non-motorized uses.{{Cite web |date=September 2022 |title=Cochituate Rail Trail Natick-Framingham Access Map |url=https://www.natickma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13975/2022-CRT-Map-and-Guide |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Town of Natick, Massachusetts}}{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2016 |title=Town of Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Public Information Meeting |url=https://www.natickma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3279/CRT-Public-Information-Meeting---3122016 |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=Town of Natick, Massachusetts}} It follows the right-of-way of the disused Saxonville Branch of Boston and Albany Railroad which was railbanked. The trail is maintained by the Towns of Natick and Framingham.{{Cite web |date=September 2017 |title=Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee Newsletter, Issue #12 |url=https://www.natickma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5589/CRT-Sept-2017-newsletter |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Town of Natick, Massachusetts}} The CRT is named after Lake Cochituate, of which it offers scenic views.{{Cite web |title=The Meaning of "Cochituate" |url=https://www.millermicro.com/cochituate.html |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=www.millermicro.com}}

The CRT runs from Mechanic Street and Whitney Field/Navy Yard in Natick Center to Saxonville in Framingham. The Framingham section was completed in 2015, and the Natick section, including two pedestrian bridges spanning Route 30 and Route 9, was completed in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Schwan |first=Henry |title=Late summer opening expected for Cochituate Rail Trail in Framingham/Natick |url=https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/2021/06/09/cochituate-rail-trail-framingham-natick-massachusetts-dot/7609046002/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=MetroWest Daily News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Caushi |first=Toni |title=Walk this way: Cochituate Rail Trail inaugurated on Tuesday |url=https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/2021/09/29/cochituate-rail-trail-open-natick-framingham-ma-bike-trails-fall-autumn-rides/5892760001/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=MetroWest Daily News |language=en-US}} There is a 0.2 mile spur in Natick named the Wonder Bread Spur in honor of the former ITT Continental Baking Wonder Bread factory, now connecting to the Natick Mall.{{Cite web |last=mm |date=2021-06-25 |title=Cochituate Rail Trail Shows Success |url=https://www.belmontcitizensforum.org/2021/06/25/cochituate-rail-trail-shows-success/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Belmont Citizens Forum |language=en-US}} The trail was built to meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.{{Cite web |title=Cochituate Rail Trail |url=https://www.beta-inc.com/project/cochituate-rail-trail/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=BETA Group |language=en-US}}

Three extensions are planned:

• The CRT will expand to the MBTA Natick Center station when the new rail station is completed, which is expected to be in May 2025.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2024-12/2024-12-06-accessibility-initiatives.pdf |title=Accessibility Initiatives—December 2024 |date=December 6, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |pages=7–8}}
• Natick is designing a connection to Main Street in Natick Center.
• MassDOT is designing a path along Route 9 to Hartford and Speen Streets in West Natick known as Lake Cochituate Path; construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Bob |date=2023-10-20 |title=MassDOT public hearing set for Cochituate Rail Trail extension in Natick |url=https://www.natickreport.com/2023/10/massdot-public-hearing-set-for-cochituate-rail-trail-extension-in-natick/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Natick Report |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Lake Cochituate Path |url=https://www.natickma.gov/1740/Lake-Cochituate-Path |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Natick, Massachusetts}}

File:Cochituate_Rail_Trail_bridge_over_Route_9_(2),_March_2022.JPG|Bridge over Route 9 in Natick

File:Cochituate_Rail_Trail,_Saxonville_MA.jpg|The CRT in Saxonville

File:Lake_Cochituate_arch_on_Cochituate_Rail_Trail_(1),_March_2022.JPG|Keyhole arch bridge crossing Lake Cochituate in Natick

File:Cochituate_Rail_Trail,_Felchville_MA.jpg|The CRT in Felchville running under the Loker Street pedestrian bridge

File:Construction,_Cochituate_Rail_Trail,_Natick_MA.jpg|Construction heading towards Natick Center station