Meeting Recap and Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who attended the Spot Pond Brook Greenway community meeting last Thursday at City Hall! The discussion highlighted many important aspects of the project, particularly the critical need for safe pedestrian access along Canal Street.

Action Needed: Safe Sidewalks on Canal Street

One of the most pressing issues that emerged from our discussions is the current state of the sidewalks along Canal Street. This corridor provides vital access to Downtown, Stop & Shop, and Malden Center T station for many residents, including families with children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Bike to the Sea put forward a concept worth considering:

• A 10-foot wide sidewalk on the east side of Canal Street
• A 4-foot landscape/lighting buffer between pedestrians and traffic
• No parking on the east side of Canal Street
• Curb design that allows trucks to access businesses without endangering pedestrians

How You Can Help

Attend the next meeting

A meeting being organized by Councillor Spadafora will be taking place at Anthony's (105 Canal Street) on May 28, 2025 10 AM.

When: Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 10:00am
Where: 105 Canal Street, Malden, MA 02148
Google Calendar: https://calendar.app.google/auoUqtFPrmFGxLsK6

Email City Officials

Please send an email to the following individuals:

• Peg Crowe ([email protected]) (Ward 1 Councillor)
• Craig Spadafora ([email protected]) (Councilor At Large)
• Ryan O'Malley ([email protected]) (Ward 4 Councillor)

And CC:

• Jim Tarr ([email protected]) (Transportation Planner)
• Alex Pratt ([email protected]) (Director of OSPCD)

In your email, emphasize that a 10-foot wide sidewalk with a 4-foot landscape/lighting buffer and no parking on the east side of Canal is important to ensure people can safely access Downtown, Stop & Shop, Malden Center T station, and CHA Malden Care Center.

Why This Matters

The current conditions force many pedestrians such as children, parents with strollers, and people with mobility aids, to walk in the street because the existing sidewalks are too narrow and obstructed. This creates dangerous situations daily and presents significant barriers to accessibility.

By advocating for these specific design elements, we can ensure that the Spot Pond Brook Greenway truly serves all Malden residents and creates the safe, accessible connections our community deserves.

Thank you for your advocacy and support!