By Steven Froias
Special to the NBEDC
For nearly a decade, New Bedford’s Blue Lane has redefined the way residents experience their city. What began as an ambitious idea—to create a continuous system of recreational pathways highlighting the city’s extraordinary waterfront assets—has grown into a hallmark of resilience, community, vision, and the unlocking of significant economic benefits.
The Covewalk, perched atop the Hurricane Barrier along South Rodney French Boulevard, opened first and quickly became a beloved destination. Soon after came the Harborwalk, which brought walkers, runners, and cyclists sweeping views of the working waterfront and Buzzards Bay. Together, they have transformed daily life for countless residents, offering spaces to exercise, socialize, find respite by the water and develop a deeper relationship with the ocean-based economy in New Bedford.
Now, at long last, the most elusive piece of the Blue Lane is getting underway: the Riverwalk.
A More Complex Path
The Riverwalk promises to bring the Blue Lane inland, tracing the Acushnet River while winding along the edge of neighborhoods east of the commercial corridor that is Acushnet Avenue in the north end. It will begin on the banks of the river at Market Basket off Sawyer Street, continue past Riverside Park and end up at the Aerovox site off Belleville Avenue. While the idea has excited residents for years, the path to realization has been far from simple.
“This is the most complex of the three walks,” explains Michele Paul, LSP, Director of Resilience and Environmental Stewardship for the City of New Bedford. “Covewalk and Harborwalk were constructed on single-owner sites. The Riverwalk, on the other hand, crosses multiple properties. It weaves through public and private land, requiring a lot of coordination with different stakeholders.”
Despite those challenges, momentum is finally building. A preliminary design has been completed, funded through the Gateway Cities Parks program at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). Technical assistance from the state has also supported an existing conditions survey and development of a 25% design, laying critical groundwork for the permitting process that lies ahead. A public meeting unveiling the plan will be scheduled in the very near future.
The Benefits of Riverwalk’s Past and Future
The Riverwalk is not only a forward-looking project—it is also built upon decades of environmental and cultural work along the Acushnet River.
Starting in the 1990s, the Superfund cleanup at New Bedford Harbor removed or remediated nearly a million cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment. By March 2020, dredging of contaminated sediment below the low-tide line was complete, and PCB levels in the Upper Harbor are now several hundred times lower than before the cleanup. In areas where dredging wasn’t feasible, contamination has been capped to protect public health and the environment.
The cleanup work, however, was about more than removing toxins. When federal projects like this one are undertaken, they must comply with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which requires agencies to account for impacts on archaeological and cultural resources. That responsibility was especially significant in New Bedford, since the project area sits entirely within the ancestral homelands of the Wampanoag People.
To ensure sensitivity to these deep cultural roots, the EPA consulted with the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and the Herring Pond Wampanoag. Archaeologists conducted more than ten studies between 2000 and 2017, uncovering fifteen previously unknown archaeological sites—including three historic shipwrecks. These findings reveal a layered story of the river and will be incorporated into the narrative of the Riverwalk itself. (For a deep dive into this work, click here.)
The Riverwalk also promises significant economic benefits. Developers such as Jeff Glassman, owner of DarnIt! and Hatch Street Studios, are already incorporating the Riverwalk into their vision for revitalization. Glassman is planning to repurpose a nearby mill into artist living and working spaces, citing the Riverwalk as a major asset. Other property owners along the route have also expressed enthusiasm, anticipating the trail will spark investment, attract visitors, and boost neighborhood vitality.
More Than a Trail
For city planners and residents alike, the Riverwalk represents much more than an extension of the Blue Lane—it’s a bold step toward reconnecting communities with the Acushnet River.
If Covewalk and Harborwalk are known for their sweeping coastal views, Riverwalk will be remembered for its role as a neighborhood connector. By linking riverfront parks, residential areas, and historic sites, it will weave the Blue Lane directly into the fabric of everyday life.
The design process is being guided not only by engineering and permitting needs but also by the city’s broader commitment to equity and resilience. Access to safe outdoor spaces is essential for community health and well-being, and the Riverwalk aims to ensure that more New Bedford residents, particularly those in neighborhoods near the Acushnet River, enjoy the benefits of the Blue Lane.
“Every section of the Blue Lane is about reconnecting people to the water,” says Paul. “The Riverwalk will do that for the Acushnet River, creating both recreational and environmental benefits for the community.”
Looking Ahead
While the Riverwalk’s complexity means its timeline may be longer than its predecessors, the groundwork now in motion marks a turning point. With funding secured for the early design phases and permitting preparations underway, the vision is steadily advancing.
When completed, the Riverwalk will complete the Blue Lane, creating a continuous system of waterfront trails that stretches from the hurricane barrier, along the harbor, and into the city’s densest residential neighborhood.
It will stand as both a literal and symbolic path—one that tells the story of New Bedford’s resilience, honors its history, and looks toward a healthier, more connected future. The very existence of this valuable public amenity also promotes economic vitality in the area directly impacted by its presence, and also in the city as a whole. Which is why the New Bedford Economic Development Council has been a champion for Riverwalk since day one.
For those who have already fallen in love with the Covewalk and Harborwalk, the Riverwalk will offer a new perspective, a fresh way to explore the city’s waters, and a reminder that sometimes the most complex journeys lead to the most rewarding destinations.