Community invited to kick off Walkers Brook Redesign Project

Jan 13

(2-3 minute read)

Residents are invited to take part in the next phase of planning for Walkers Brook Drive as the Town of Reading hosts a Community Kick-Off Meeting for the Walkers Brook Drive Redesign Project on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

The meeting will be held in person at the Reading Public Library (64 Middlesex Avenue), with a virtual option available via Zoom.

Purpose of the meeting

The kick-off meeting will introduce residents to the goals, timeline, and scope of the Walkers Brook Drive Redesign Project. Town staff and project representatives will share updates, discuss potential design alternatives, and outline next steps while gathering community input to help guide the design process.

Residents who live, work, travel through, or do business along Walkers Brook Drive are encouraged to attend and participate.

Project background

The Town of Reading recently received a $500,000 state grant to advance the design of Walkers Brook Drive. This phase builds on earlier planning work and extensive community feedback collected during Phase One in 2023-2024.

That earlier engagement identified several key priorities, including:

Wider pedestrian sidewalks
Safer intersections and crossings
Slower vehicle speeds
Improved bicycle and transit accommodations

Current project scope

The newly funded phase will focus on advancing the design of Walkers Brook Drive, with work expected to continue through 2026-2027. Key elements of the current scope include:

Re-engaging the community
Refining and incorporating community priorities into design concepts
Preparing the project for future funding opportunities

Long-term goals

Beyond the current design phase, the Town aims to:

Build consensus among stakeholders
Work closely with property owners
Pursue additional state grant opportunities
Review and strengthen neighborhood connections along the corridor

How to participate

Residents can attend the meeting in person or join remotely. The Zoom link and additional project information are available on the Town’s website.

Community participation will play a key role in shaping the future of Walkers Brook Drive and ensuring the project reflects local needs, safety concerns, and long-term mobility goals.