Trailing Ahead: July 2020

Merrimack River boardwalk near the Clipper City Rail Trail

Arriving at the the Merrimack River (also written Merrimac River) by traveling the 1.1-mile-long Clipper City Rail Trail (CCRT) from Newbu

ryport's MBTA station to the “G-Swirl overlook,” you may want to continue trailing around by either turning right to the Waterfront Promenade and Harbor Walk trail leading to the CCRT's other half by turning left toward Cashman Park.

Cashman Park with Merrimack River

The short waterfront trail to Cashman Park passes a Sportfishing Pier and various boat ramps. The trail continues to a round platform offering an overlook of parts of the tidal Merrimack River and salt marshes.

An informational panel on the platform lists the Bald Eagle, the Salt Marsh Sparrow, the Atlantic Sturgeon, the Shortnose Sturgeon and the Atlantic Bass as species that come here as visitors or for breeding. The tidal river section contains vital salt marsh ecosystems. The panel has the following details:

The Merrimack River also contains other dynamic natural habitats such as Black Oak and Scarlet Oak Woodlands, Brackish Tidal Marshes, Salt Marshes, and Seagrass communities. These tidal creeks, estuaries and salt marshes are highly productive natural resources that provide crititical habitat for many species of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals.

Merrickmack River and inner harbor overlook

Railroad remnant on Clipper City Rail Trail

The Clipper City Rail Trail (CCRT) connects the Newburyport MBTA station with the historic downtown of Newburyport and the harbor area. There is another CCRT half: its trailhead is located about 2000 ft east of the train station on Parker Street. From the CCRT trailhead arch at the MBTA station go east on Parker Street. After managing the Highway 1 traffic circle, continue east on Parker Street and find the CCRT trailhead on the left—just past the cemetery.

Railroad blocks next to Clipper City Rail Trail

Like the already highlighted first half, this CCRT section features nature, art and history alongside the paved trail. About one third of it is a greenbelt trail, the following third leads through neighborhoods and the final third is an open-air art gallery with paintings of local sceneries.

The following pictures showcase sites and art between you can find between Parker Street and Water Street, where the CCRT turns into the Newburyport Harborwalk trail.