DANVERS — How does a career homemaker become a community activist?
By making a New Year's resolution, then putting one foot in front of another. Ingrid Barry, founder of Danvers Bi-Peds, which advocates for safer biking and walking conditions in town, was recently recognized with an Essex Heritage Pioneers in Partnership Award, presented to those who help preserve and promote "the historic, cultural and natural resources of the region."
Barry, 70, recently spoke with The Salem News about the Danvers rail-trail project, the nonprofit group Iron Horse Preservation Society that is building it, and the future of the Danvers Bi-Peds.
What motivated you to start Danvers Bi-Peds?
When we bought a lot on Riding Club Road 15 years ago, or 16, there was a committee, appointed by the town manager, to study the feasibility of bike paths and trails in town, and they were looking at the railway tracks near our lot. That made it seem like a good place to build our house. Then it all got put on the shelf. When New Year's rolled around seven years ago, I decided if I wanted that rail trail, I was going to have to bring it about. The Bi-Peds were founded in March of 2003.
Have you always been an avid biker and walker?
I always have biked for transportation, it was an excellent way to get to town. I didn't know how to drive until I was in my 40s. I got around by walking, bus, bike. When we got the lot, we didn't want to be out in the country, we wanted something walkable to town.
How long have you lived in Danvers?
We moved to Danvers in 1974. I was born in Taunton, but grew up mostly in the Midwest, where my father managed milk plants.
How did you start the Bi-Peds?
I put a notice in the paper, and probably about 15 people came. Some of the people that came to the meeting stayed and are still helping. We discussed what we wanted as goals, and from that point it was a group effort.
What is the Bi-Peds' general mission?
The broader thing is safer biking and walking in Danvers, and the easiest way to accomplish that is the rail trail right through town. Safety — as the population gets older, and people lose their driver's licenses before they lose their ability to walk — we need safe places for people to do errands and exercise.
How is the trail work progressing?
You can walk on it now, it's much better than it was a year ago. The rail trail advisory committee had an information meeting Nov. 18 and showed slides. We had pictures taken a year ago, where you could not walk. Now it's uneven dirt, but it's clear. It should be much better in two weeks if things go as they're supposed to.
What is left to be done?
Iron Horse recently said they'd be done grading and compacting, putting up railings and bridge deckings by the second week in December. Iron Horse will be doing the signage along the trail, the town along the roads to warn cars, and at the crosswalks. Winter may hold things to spring.
How did you find Iron Horse?
I scan the e-mails that come in from a trails and greenways Yahoo group, and I was looking at one one day that said this company will come and take the ties and rails for free, no cost to the town, to get salvage value, and they will leave with a finished, crushed stone surface trail. That was in June 2009.
The Bi-Peds were involved with a regional rail trail group, Border to Boston, to link the Danvers corridor to other rail trails in Essex County. How is that going?
The concept is still there, we're just not meeting as a unit on a regular basis. Different towns were at different points. Some of the towns have issues with National Grid, who have lines along rail beds. In Danvers, the electric company is enthusiastic because it will help them maintain their lines. Each community is now working independently. Money that Congressman Tierney appropriated, that had been set aside — communities toward the north are doing that. Three southern communities are working with Iron Horse, Topsfield, Wenham, Danvers.
What involvement do the Bi-Peds now have with the trail?
We organize walks there, and we intend to help in any way; if they want to upgrade in the future, we are ready and willing to offer our services.
What are some other things the Bi-Peds are involved with?
We get helmets given out by the Mass. safety office, and this year we gave out 75 at Endicott Park Day, 75 at Danvers Safety Day. We work on safety projects with Scouts. I am trying to get a Safe Routes to School started in Danvers, to get children out of cars and walking to school again like we used to do.
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