Take Me to The River!

UML Prof. Chad Montrie received funding from the University Research and Scholarship Fund to support his efforts to create a documentary film, walking tour, and outdoor classroom for the Concord River Greenway project.

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In 1839, Henry David Thoreau and his brother boated on the Concord River, but when they reached Lowell, they took the Middlesex Canal to avoid the city.  “We did not care to loiter in this part of our voyage,” said Thoreau, put off by the industrialized section of the waterway.

Soon, thanks to the efforts of the Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust (LPCT), the Tsongas Center, the Lowell National Historical Parks (LNHP) and Chad Montrie, UML assistant professor of history, scores of others will be able to enjoy access to a greenway developed on the banks of the last two miles of the historic river.  LPCT is collaborating with supporters to create an accessible, welcoming place to connect the city’s major public spaces, including Shedd and Rogers parks, and the collection of walkways developed by the Lowell National Historical Parks. 

Montrie sees the development of the greenway as an opportunity to chronicle the river’s significant social, economic and environmental history.  Recently, he received one of six awards from the University Research and Scholarship Fund to support his efforts on the greenway project.

“My goal is to create an outdoor classroom – primarily for students in grades 7 through 10 – where the relevance of the river is easily demonstrated,” says Montrie, who  will work with LPCT, The Tsongas Center and LNHP to develop resources to create an outdoor classroom complete with a documentary film, adaptable walking tour, and website. 

The greenway project’s construction is scheduled to begin next spring. For more information, visit www.lowelllandtrust.org/ConcordRiver.