Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Connecting the communities of Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Sudbury, and Framingham.

Summer Solstice Ride gathering on June 19, 2026 at Pedal Power Bike & Ski in Acton, MA
By admin • April 30, 2026
Join us for a walk or ride on the BFRT, then join the Friends for post-ride/walk pizza. Friday, June 19, 2026, 5:30 p.m. (Rain date, June 20)Pedal Power Bike & Ski, 176 Great Road (Rte. 2A), ActonParking available at 179…Read more ›

Visiting the Trail

The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a rail trail through the communities of Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Sudbury, and Framingham in Massachusetts — following the 25-mile route of the old New Haven Railroad Framingham & Lowell line.


About the Friends

The Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a group of citizens working in partnership with state and local governments toward the completion of the proposed rail trail. This is a volunteer group which is active in moving forward the state and federal issues required for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the rail trail, fundraising activities and support for rail trail issues at local town meetings. The Friends work to ensure that all the questions, concerns and other issues are addressed by working in concert with neighborhood associations, each town government, and the citizens of the towns.


The group holds monthly meetings with speakers who are experts on various rail trail issues and/or have been involved with creating rail trails and activities related to rail trails. The Friends sponsor a range of activities from rail trail clearing days to support for environmental awareness events such as Earth Day to other community events.


The Friends also:

  • Coordinate public education and outreach efforts
  • Establish trail clearing and maintenance projects
  • Sponsor fund raising campaigns and grant applications
  • Support the planning, design, and construction phases of the Rail Trail
  • Support legislative efforts that promote the design, construction and maintenance of the rail trail


The Friends of Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.



Summer Solstice Ride gathering on June 19, 2026 at Pedal Power Bike & Ski in Acton, MA
By admin • April 30, 2026
Join us for a walk or ride on the BFRT, then join the Friends for post-ride/walk pizza. Friday, June 19, 2026, 5:30 p.m. (Rain date, June 20)Pedal Power Bike & Ski, 176 Great Road (Rte. 2A), ActonParking available at 179…Read more ›
By admin • April 30, 2026
Route to Sustainability Day 2026 Sunday, May 3, 2026, 1:00 pm -4:00 pm Carlisle Public School Gym 83 School St. Enter by the solar canopy parking lot on Church St.  This Earth Day event will be chock full of environmental…Read more ›
Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Annual Meeting on November 23, 2025 at Pedal Power Bike & Ski in Acton, MA
By admin • November 3, 2025
Join us on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 2 p.m. for the Friends’ Annual Meeting. We will present the latest news about the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Location: Pedal Power Bike and Ski, 176 Great Road, Acton Light refreshments will…Read more ›

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