Clearing the River View

Like so many other folks, we've been walking more, during the day and then after dinner in the early evening hours. Last week on a windless night, just after sunset, here's a view of the former textile mill that houses our apt. This photo was taken from the Main Street bridge. That white dot in the Nashua River is the site of one of the two river fountains that hopefully will be re-started in the coming weeks.

Most likely, you've noticed the river bank work and equipment on the right.

There's been an ongoing river bank cleanup over the past couple of months. It started in late March with the posting of several signs.

As stated, the purposes of this project are to provide open views, more safety and better access. Before this project started, many invasive and non-native plants had obscured or narrowed the river walkways.

The project is part of the Nashua Riverfront Development Plan and recommendations include connected walkways, landscaping, enhanced access to the waterfront, historical and natural resource protection, lighting, alternative parking solutions and amenities. There's also the potential for new construction and ongoing maintenance.

This project has been removing clearing the river banks in a multi-phase project. First most of the overgrowth was cut down and that also involved trimming cutting down many trees, a few too in the opinion of some folks.

The plan represents a vision for dramatically improving the way the Nashua River  Downtown riverfront looks and to make it not only an asset for the city, but and a destination for others to visit.

• Create a continuous riverwalk that connects downtown Nashua and surrounding neighborhoods with improved connections to Main Street.
• Manage invasive specie and maintain riverfront vegetation.
• Create visual and physical opportunities to access the river with a priority on a new dock structure and fountains.
• Preserve existing and add new green space within the river corridor. 
• Create opportunities for recreation in, on and around the river.

Sure, these projected improvements will take time, perhaps years. We're looking forward to seeing them develop (especially from our 5th floor viewpoint) and ultimately hope to enjoy them. However, we miss these seasonal views from our window, taken during the nearly 4 years we've lived in Nashua.

No question about it, the best season for a spectacular window view was autumn. It will be quite a while until we see anything to match these fall colors.

The river front clean-up is continuing despite shutdowns in many other parts of the city, and we have (a lot of) time to wait, especially now.