The Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail have lost a dear friend and ardent supporter. Former State Rep. Carol Cleven of Chelmsford, died Thursday March 12th, 2015 at age 86.

In 1986, after State Rep. Bruce Freeman’s death, Carol C. Cleven was elected to his vacated seat in the Legislature. Bruce Freeman had championed the cause of the Lowell-Sudbury Rail Trail in the State Legislature during 1985 and part of 1986. In her first speech to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1987, Carol introduced a bill creating a bike path in his honor (complete speech is here). The trail would be a lasting memorial to his service to Chelmsford and the State. In April 1989, Gov. Michael Dukakis signed into law an Act creating the Bruce N. Freeman Memorial Bike Path.

The Friends were honored when Carol attended the ribbon cutting for Phase 1 of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail built in Lowell, Chelmsford and Westford in 2009. We are thankful for her long-time support of the trail that we enjoy today.

If you wish to honor Carol and support the trail she worked so hard to make a reality you can:

Donate Online

or mail your donation to:

Carol C. Cleven Memorial Fund
c/o Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
P.O. Box 1192
Concord, MA 01742

(make check payable to: Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Inc.  Please note Carol C. Cleven Memorial Fund on your check.)

Please note if you wish to become a member of the Friends please use our membership sign up form.  If you are already a member and want to renew you can do so using our membership renewal form.