ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
The first group of people walks the Shirley Avenue Urban Trail in Revere on Friday.
BY JESSIE NOCELLA
REVERE — Shirley Avenue, once known for drug deals, assaults and home invasions, is changing its image.
The ribbon was cut on the 1.4-mile Shirley Avenue Urban Trail that opened to the public on Friday.
“In the late ’90s there was a lot of violence here,” said Melissa Walsh, of The Neighborhood Developers (TND), a Chelsea-based nonprofit community development corporation. “Part of what we’re doing is trying to change the narrative of the neighborhood.”
Sponsors, families, volunteers and city officials gathered by the Revere Beach MBTA station to take the first walk on the path that loops around the neighborhood. Many stops along the trail highlight historical points, parks and scenic areas. It was built to promote exercise, link to three other trails and transform an area that was once known for crime.
Mayor Brian Arrigo said one of his goals is to promote walkable public spaces and community connections.
“Shirley Ave. is the neighborhood that is going to be the key to unlocking our potential as a city,” he said.
Many residents came out to enjoy the beautiful walking weather including Michelle and David Wight, both 31, and their one-year-old baby Layla. They live near the trail and said they like bringing new people to the area to enjoy restaurants and shops.
“We go to eat and shop here all the time,” said David Wight. “It’s great to have it receive more attention because there’s all sorts of hidden gems.”
Hochy Lora, 28, a volunteer leader with TND since the beginning of the project, said the trail will bring people to explore Revere.
“I think the goal is to get folks to do what these folks are doing now, to get out, be healthy, walk and meet their neighbors,” he said.
Lifelong resident Jan Dumas, 57, helped design the trail signs. She said her biggest hope is that people coming off the train will realize there is more to Revere than just the beach. Dumas wants people to remember that this was once a Jewish neighborhood.
“I don’t want Revere to loose its roots as it moves forward,” she said. “I’m hoping this trail will do a little bit of both.”