Shawsheen River Greenway

The Shawsheen River, once the pulse of Andover's economic and social life, lost its resilience in the post-industrial age. The River is being rediscovered and reconnected as part of a Historic Mill District revitalization and its recreation potential is once again being realized. ​

The Shawsheen River Greenway mission is to restore the river and its surroundings as Andover’s most important geographical feature, creating beauty and enjoyment for all walkers, riders, paddlers, skaters, nature lovers, historians, students, families, and seniors. It will increase economic value and vitality, and improve the quality of life of everyone in the community.

By working with the landowners, townspeople, local nonprofits, and town agencies it will build land and water trails, access points for walking, pedaling, paddling, fishing, and passive recreation.

In Andover the Shawsheen River is the heart of the community. It is a recreational haven, an educational treasure, a conservation preserve, an asset for appropriate new development, and a connection with our past. A new multi-use path along its banks will connect key features of our community, be located less than a quarter mile from downtown, and be in close proximity to most of our town’s residents.

The town is already blessed with substantial open space along the river and connecting these spaces with a continuous multi-use path is very feasible. In fact much of the river way in the south part of town is already open to the public. By constructing a pathway through the densely populated town center we will provide a recreational attraction for all residents and visitors. The final completion of the Greenway will reflect some accommodations to the natural and man-made obstacles, such as private land ownership and crossing roads.

The Andover Greenway is comprised of three sections:

1. Section 1 begins at the southern boundary with Tewksbury where the river flows under Route I93 and ends at the Central Street railroad bridge. It contains a large AVIS property just opened to the public and the Reichhold property purchased by the town in 1994.
2. Section 2 begins at the Central Street bridge and ends at the Haverhill Street (Route 133) bridge. It contains the Shawsheen and downtown areas. Several commercial and private properties line the river and the Greenway.
3. Section 3 begins at the Haverhill Street Bridge and ends at Den Rock Park in Lawrence.​

Our near term efforts will focus on the Section 2, in which the maximum benefit will accrue to the maximum number of people. This riverfront was once a recreational destination for residents and visitors and we intend to make it a destination once more. Much of our effort will be spent on negotiating with owners of land that abuts the river—both residential and commercial—to secure public access through these properties. We are very encouraged by the positive reception we received from all of our initial conversations with commercial property owners who see the Greenway as a win for their property and a win for the town.
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​For more information, email shawsheengreenway@gmail.com