| To get there: Take exit18 off 1-195 then take Route 240 South to Route 6 West. At the intersection with Main Street (at Fairhaven High School.) Take a left and head south. Continue south to intersection of Ferry and Main Streets. There is sufficient parking. |
| 0.0 Miles: At the parking lot and looking toward the west, you will see the site of the old Ferry Wharf and Passenger Station. Today it is an industrial area with repair shops catering to the commercial fishing industry. As you cross Main St., look for benches and bike racks for trail users. Shortly ahead on the left will be Willow Park which has interesting Daffodil arrangements planted for spring appearances. Just beyond Willow Park are some beautifully restored antique houses. |
| 0.3-0.6 Miles: Grade crossing of Chestnut Street and looming before you is the old Atlas Tack Company. This is one of those old smokestack industries that were common to many towns and cities all over New England. They provided much employment and economic development to the host communities, but they were not without their drawbacks. In years gone by the environmental concerns weren't the same as today and in many places these old industries were the scene of dumping of hazardous chemicals. Atlas Tack Company is one of those old "brown fields". It is a contaminated site and is totally fenced off. As you pass by you will notice that parts are being (or have been already) torn down. The remediation of the polluted ground at this site will be a long-term project so you will see some activity here for some time to come. Located directly across the trail from Atlas is a "grave-yard" or wrecking yard for boats. You'll see some models here that aren't seen anymore. This company also does marine repairs. |
| 1.0 Miles: A large rip-rap (huge boulders) structure is coming in from the right. This is a Hurricane control structure built in the late thirties to protect the town from the storm surge that accompanies a major Hurricane. |
| 1.5 Miles: The road coming in from the left is David Drown Blvd. You will be passing by the Carousel Skating Center on the left. |
| 1.6 Miles: Grade crossing of Sconticut Neck Road. This is a busy road so take appropriate caution when crossing. In this area you can find restaurants and general services of all sorts. One of the closest places is the Sconticut Retail Center, so check it out if you are inclined. Just after the road you will be into a cut and then the approach road for the DPW facility will be encountered. It is interesting to note that the original railroad RoW is actually the driveway for the DPW while the trail is now on the side. This location is also the beginning of an adjacent 4-foot gravel surface treadway. This makes for a good surface for equestrians who try to stay off of pavement with their horses. |
| 1.7 Miles: You'll head into a wetlands area with a series of pressure treated fences when viewed from a distance gives an unusual perspective along this straight-as-an-arrow trail. These fences are on culverts that allow the tidal water of the Nasketucket River to flow under the trail or are placed on parts of the fill that are unusually steep. |
| 1.9 Miles: Old greenhouse complex on the north side of the trail is looking pretty ragged though it does show signs that someone is starting to fix it up. Looking to the south you can see the ocean at Little Bay. |
| 2.2 Miles: A smattering of newly constructed houses along the trail points to people who appreciate living along a trail. |
| 2.5 Miles: Grade crossing of what seems to be a driveway leading to a few houses on the south side of the trail. A few streets containing residential neighborhoods come in from the north in this area. Look for the old railroad era culvert in this area as well. |
| 2.7 Miles: Up hill to a grade crossing of Gillette Road. There obviously used to be a bridge over the railroad at one time, but it has been long ago torn out. |
| 2.8 Miles: Old farm field on the south side of the trail has a stonewall boundary that surrounds some barn and other outbuildings. |
| 3.0 Miles: Woods to the north with farm fields to the south with another view of the ocean in this area. This area also has newly constructed houses near the trail. |
| 3.2 Miles: Grade crossing of Shaw Road. Once on the other side of the road you will see that the original RoW of the railroad is badly flooded and in a cut. The trail continues east on the south embankment of the cut. |
| 3.5 Miles: Finished trail ends here, but you can see that the original RoW continues east in an unofficial and unpaved way. It is not open beyond here. |
| Written by Craig Della Penna. This brochure was funded by Community Building Mini Grants |
| Go back to the Phoenix Bike Trail Front Page or go to the map of the Trail |
