New Bedford’s Harbor Walk Is Now Open To Public

Mayor Jon Mitchell, D-P-I Chief Ron Labelle and other New Bedford officials are welcoming the general public to the South End Harbor Walk after the $2.3 million project was completed earlier in the summer.

City officials took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. The mayor said the Harbor Walk was a long time coming, but the wait was worth it.

"When I got into office 3 1/2 years ago, I felt very strongly we had to take steps to reconnect the city with its waterfront. This is a major city asset right here," said the Mayor.

The entrances to the Harbor Walk is located on Gifford Street, and near the South End Boat Ramp on East Rodney French Boulevard. It offers spectacular views of the outer harbor and Fairhaven. The concrete walkway sits on top of the hurricane barrie and is 3,400 feet long. It also includes aluminum railings on both sides and decorative lighting.

The Harbor Walk is perfect for bikes, wheelchairs or just walking.

City resident Rita Medeiros said the Harbor Walk "is beautiful, absolutely beautiful" and she thinks the walkway will be "absolutely wonderful for the City of New Bedford."

Mayor Mitchell said during the ceremony, another Harbor Walk project is "shovel ready" in the Clark's Cove area, the city is just looking for funding.