NASHUA — The next phase of the city's Riverwalk project is getting closer to reality, as a trail easement has been drafted that would add nearly 4,000 square feet to the path.

On Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen was presented with a resolution that — if adopted — would accept a trail easement deed along the Nashua River west of Nashua Drive from the Nashua River Holding Company, LLC.

“The acquisition of this trail easement will allow uninterrupted passage on the Riverwalk from Main Street to Nashua Drive,” according to the proposed resolution.

The concept of a Nashua River walkway has been included in the city's Downtown Master Plan for nearly three decades, with an ultimate goal of connecting the riverfront to form a 1.6-mile looped walkway along the Nashua River.

According to the city's website, local residents and city leaders envisioned a downtown riverfront path as early as 1983. In order to make the Riverwalk a reality, several walkway sections have already been completed, while additional public access easements have been deeded to the city.

In the fall of 2010, a portion that links the Nashua Public Library with a walkway that extends eastward along the river to a footbridge behind BAE Systems was unveiled. Prior to that, the boardwalk next to Peddler's Daughter was completed in 2006, the Heritage Trail behind the library was finished in 1994, and other sections were constructed in the 1990s.

The newest trail easement deed now before aldermen is from Nashua River Holding Co. LLC, care of Margarita's Management Group in Portsmouth. If adopted, the new path would connect Margarita's Mexican Restaurant in Nashua with an existing Riverwalk path near the Jackson Falls housing complex.

“When these opportunities are available, we should really take advantage of it,” Alderman-at-Large David Deane said Tuesday. “I believe this is an important project for the city.”

Although the board did not discuss the proposal last night, it did vote to forward the resolution onto the aldermanic Planning and Economic Development Committee and the Nashua Planning Board for further review before a final vote by the Board of Aldermen.

If the trail easement deed is authorized, the city would have permission to use, construct, maintain, repair and replace a Class A trail for public use, according to the proposed deed. The Riverwalk is being funded through a combination of grants.

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