Our Story
The Friends of the Taunton Pathways, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to aid the mission and goals of the Taunton Pathways Committee. Our mission includes the following:
- To advocate for improvements to the multimodal transportation infrastructure in the City of Taunton and surrounding communities, including but not limited to walking, biking, and boating;
- To promote the safe usage of existing and future multimodal transportation infrastructure in the City of Taunton and surrounding communities;
- To educate the public about issues including but not limited to safe walking, biking, and boating practices; and
- To raise and allocate funds to execute said improvements to the multimodal transportation infrastructure in the City of Taunton and surrounding communities and to educate the public about said issues.
Board of Directors
Phillip Duarte - President
Phil was born and raised in Taunton, went through Taunton Public Schools, and graduated from Taunton High School in 2014. He recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, as well as a minor in Political Science and a certificate in Civic Engagement and Public Service. Phil also serves as the Chair of the Taunton Pathways Committee and works as a Researcher for State Representative Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG), a statewide, student-run, student-funded advocacy nonprofit organization. Phil wants to invest all of the knowledge that he has gained at UMass and through MASSPIRG into his community. Creating healthy communities is his passion, and he truly believes that the Taunton River Trail would positively contribute to making Taunton a healthy city, as well as increase its success in other fields and in general.
Phil was born and raised in Taunton, went through Taunton Public Schools, and graduated from Taunton High School in 2014. He recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, as well as a minor in Political Science and a certificate in Civic Engagement and Public Service. Phil also serves as the Chair of the Taunton Pathways Committee and works as a Researcher for State Representative Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG), a statewide, student-run, student-funded advocacy nonprofit organization. Phil wants to invest all of the knowledge that he has gained at UMass and through MASSPIRG into his community. Creating healthy communities is his passion, and he truly believes that the Taunton River Trail would positively contribute to making Taunton a healthy city, as well as increase its success in other fields and in general.
Jonathan Gray - Vice President
Jon is passionate advocate for improving the overall health and environmental sustainability of Taunton. He has embraced the chance to be a part of the Taunton Pathways team because he knows that additional bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Taunton will be a synergistic and environmentally-friendly complement to our current car-centric transportation system, and would contribute to a significantly healthier community for our residents and our environment. His relevant experience includes recently earning a Master of Science in Sustainability from UMass Amherst, as well as previous work towards his Eagle Scout service project which was the creation of the Broad Cove Nature Trail in South Dighton. In addition to his work with the Friends of the Taunton Pathways, Jon is the Vice Chair of the Taunton Pathways Committee, he works as the Outreach Coordinator for SEMAP (Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership), he runs Gray's Greens Urban Farm in Taunton, and he serves as the Chairman of the Green Communities Grant Committee for the Town of Dighton.
Jon is passionate advocate for improving the overall health and environmental sustainability of Taunton. He has embraced the chance to be a part of the Taunton Pathways team because he knows that additional bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Taunton will be a synergistic and environmentally-friendly complement to our current car-centric transportation system, and would contribute to a significantly healthier community for our residents and our environment. His relevant experience includes recently earning a Master of Science in Sustainability from UMass Amherst, as well as previous work towards his Eagle Scout service project which was the creation of the Broad Cove Nature Trail in South Dighton. In addition to his work with the Friends of the Taunton Pathways, Jon is the Vice Chair of the Taunton Pathways Committee, he works as the Outreach Coordinator for SEMAP (Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership), he runs Gray's Greens Urban Farm in Taunton, and he serves as the Chairman of the Green Communities Grant Committee for the Town of Dighton.
Willitts Mendonca - Treasurer
Will is a proud forty-four year lifelong Tauntonian, and a graduate of Taunton High School Class of 1991. Residing in our city with his wife and their two daughters, along with being an active runner throughout our city’s streets, has made him very interested in the creation of the Pathways Committee for the purpose of developing multimodal pathways for the recreational enjoyment of our city's residents and visitors. In his opinion, the creation of safe pathways for bicyclists, runners, and walkers is an extremely important component of the quality of life for our residents and our city. In addition to his involvement with the Friends of the Taunton Pathways, he is a Vice President/Commercial Lender with BankFive covering the Fall River and Taunton markets and he serves on the Taunton Pathways Committee. He also serves on the Executive Committees of the United Way of Greater Attleboro-Taunton and Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts and on the Board of Directors for the Neighborhood Corporation. As someone who is passionate about the City of Taunton, he looks forward to serving on the Taunton Pathways Committee.
Will is a proud forty-four year lifelong Tauntonian, and a graduate of Taunton High School Class of 1991. Residing in our city with his wife and their two daughters, along with being an active runner throughout our city’s streets, has made him very interested in the creation of the Pathways Committee for the purpose of developing multimodal pathways for the recreational enjoyment of our city's residents and visitors. In his opinion, the creation of safe pathways for bicyclists, runners, and walkers is an extremely important component of the quality of life for our residents and our city. In addition to his involvement with the Friends of the Taunton Pathways, he is a Vice President/Commercial Lender with BankFive covering the Fall River and Taunton markets and he serves on the Taunton Pathways Committee. He also serves on the Executive Committees of the United Way of Greater Attleboro-Taunton and Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts and on the Board of Directors for the Neighborhood Corporation. As someone who is passionate about the City of Taunton, he looks forward to serving on the Taunton Pathways Committee.
TJ Torres - Secretary
TJ is a lifelong Taunton resident, small business owner, and outdoor enthusiast who cares deeply about our great city and its environment. He is the Grants Coordinator in the Office of Economic and Community Development for the City of Taunton and he also serves on the Taunton Pathways Committee. TJ enjoys fishing, hiking, and canoeing, and he believes the Taunton River is a greatly underutilized place for those activities. Constructing bike trails along the river would preserve and protect the land for the enjoyment of all, and provide greater access to related activities. For example, the river is a great destination for multi-day canoe trips, but there is a lack of available parking and boat entry ramps. Also, the river is home to many different species of fish, but it is sometimes hard to find a place to drop your line in. TJ looks forward to raising his future family here in Taunton and taking part in the many outdoor activities our area has to offer.
TJ is a lifelong Taunton resident, small business owner, and outdoor enthusiast who cares deeply about our great city and its environment. He is the Grants Coordinator in the Office of Economic and Community Development for the City of Taunton and he also serves on the Taunton Pathways Committee. TJ enjoys fishing, hiking, and canoeing, and he believes the Taunton River is a greatly underutilized place for those activities. Constructing bike trails along the river would preserve and protect the land for the enjoyment of all, and provide greater access to related activities. For example, the river is a great destination for multi-day canoe trips, but there is a lack of available parking and boat entry ramps. Also, the river is home to many different species of fish, but it is sometimes hard to find a place to drop your line in. TJ looks forward to raising his future family here in Taunton and taking part in the many outdoor activities our area has to offer.
Taunton Pathways Committee
The Taunton Pathways Committee, was appointed by Mayor Thomas C. Hoye, Jr. and confirmed by the Taunton City Council on January 31, 2017 in accordance with the City's 2015 Open Space Plan. One of the goals of this plan is to "Develop a City-wide multi-use trail system, including walking, hiking, biking, and water access features, where feasible." To facilitate this goal, Mayor Hoye sought out community members who wanted to develop local bike, pedestrian, and water trail plans and work with regional agencies and groups to develop the broad support needed to advance these projects.
The Committee looks forward to creating a coalition of city and state government officials, local business owners, and nonprofit groups to improve access to multi-modal transportation for all Taunton residents and visitors. By doing so, they will help to promote a healthier and safer community for citizens of all ages and abilities.
More information about the Taunton Pathways Committee can be found on their website.
The Committee looks forward to creating a coalition of city and state government officials, local business owners, and nonprofit groups to improve access to multi-modal transportation for all Taunton residents and visitors. By doing so, they will help to promote a healthier and safer community for citizens of all ages and abilities.
More information about the Taunton Pathways Committee can be found on their website.
