The Clipper City Rail Trail
     An abandoned railroad bed that has recently been transformed into a recreational trail begins at the MBTA station (across from Mark Richey Woodworking) and ends at the Merrimack River.  The Clipper City Rail Trail has several entrances along its 1.1 mile route. The official entrance to visitors is on Parker Street where a new archway has been created to adorn this recently christened rail trail.

     The arch is a joint vision of City Planner Gordie Vining and Newburyport Industrial Park business owners:  Mark Richey, Ralph Castagna of Castagna Construction, and Keiver Willard. As they sat around the conference room table, Mark Richey sketched out a few informal architectural drawings for everyone to look at, and the group settled on one they felt was perfect.

     The 20-foot wide, 14-foot high, handcrafted arch is meant to increase the visibility of the trail and welcome visitors to take a stroll or bike trip. Crafted from four solid white oak beams, it is donated by Keiver-Willard Lumber Corporation, and is supported by footings donated and custom built by Castagna Construction. Castagna said the arch should last for a century or more with modest maintenance.

     "It has an industrial feel with an Eastern flare," said Richey of the finished product, which resembles something one might see in a Zen garden or leading up to a place of spiritual significance. "I love Japanese architecture." The look of it will change over time turning a beautiful silver-grey according to Richey.

·                  Geordie Vining (Senior Project Manager, Planning Office, City of Newburyport) originally proposed the idea of a Rail Arch and approached MRW to design and fabricate a decorative Rail Arch at the entrance to the Newburyport Rail Trail to welcome visitors and create an interesting gateway.

·                  Keiver Willard donated the solid Oak beams

·                  Mark Richey designed the Arch with input from the team

·                  Ritch Winokur (MRW) did the shop drawings

·                  Mike Ort (MRW) prepared the steel mounting brackets with help from
           Wilson Welding

·                  Ralph Castagna (Castagna Construction) installed the concrete
           footings

·                  Chris Baskin and Chris Foss of MRW planed, shaped and joined the
           wood beams and columns

·                  Dave Valyou (MRW) carved the decorative lettering on the arch using
           our CNC machinery

·                  Mark Richey, Dave (Jazz) Jasneski (MRW) and Ralph Castagna
           installed the arch on 11-16-2010