Rail Trail Project

The Town of Dover is excited to announce the proposed Rail Trail Construction Project. This initiative is focused on enhancing community connectivity and promoting outdoor recreation. The goal is to develop a recreational trail and shared-use pathway, providing residents with safer, healthier opportunities for outdoor activities and transportation.

Many town departments and committees have been working together to shape the project’s scope and goals. As the project moves forward, we are committed to transparency and due diligence while actively seeking community input along the way.

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Planning and Design (October 2024-April 2025)

The initial phase involves planning and design efforts to create the foundation for the trail project. The town will assemble a working group tasked with defining the project’s scope and creating preliminary layouts.

Once completed, the preliminary design will be shared with the community, allowing for feedback and suggestions before moving to the next phase.

Phase 2: Cost Estimation and Funding (Spring 2025)

In this phase, a detailed cost estimate will be prepared, covering construction, materials, labor and long-term maintenance. The town will explore funding options, including federal, state and local grants, as well as potential public-private partnerships. A finalized budget will be created to ensure the project is financially sustainable.

Phase 3: Final Planning and Approval (Fall 2025)

Once a comprehensive plan is developed and budget estimates are finalized, the project proposal will be presented to town meeting for approval. During this phase, residents will have another opportunity to review and provide feedback before construction begins.

Public Forum - February 25th - 2025

On Tuesday, February 25th, at 6:30 PM a public forum was hosted via Zoom Webinar. This informative session offered a detailed overview of the project as well as a glimpse into the preliminary designs. It was a wonderful opportunity for residents to ask questions and share their thoughts on this community-enhancing endeavor.

If you were unable to attend the public forum, don’t worry! We’ve also set up a Google Form for you to submit questions or feedback at your convenience and the recording of the forum is below.

Submit a question or comment Here

February 25th Public Forum Recording:

Get Involved

The Town is seeking interested volunteers with experience related to the construction of similar rail trails in Massachusetts or knowledge of public construction projects. Those interested in volunteering and whose expertise is in this field may contact Parks and Recreation Director, Mark Ghiloni, at mghiloni@doverma.gov.

Thank you for your interest in the Dover Rail Trail project. We are excited to have you involved. This webpage will serve as the primary source for providing updates, progress reports, and any essential information related to the project. We encourage you to visit this page regularly to stay informed about the latest developments. Additionally, we highly recommend signing up for Town News and alerts to ensure that you receive timely notifications and updates directly to your inbox. Your support and engagement are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to keeping you informed every step of the way. Questions related to the project may be directed to Parks and Recreation Director, Mark Ghiloni, at mghiloni@doverma.gov.