Urban planners and public health officials are talking. How does adding trails and greenways to a community for transportation and recreation impact public health?

Turns out that bicycle and pedestrian improvements have  a lot to do with our choice to exercise and commute, ie, if they build it we will walk, bicycle, roller blade, skateboard, stroll with a stroller, zip along on a scooter, cruise in a wheel chair, ski and snowshoe on it. In fact, research shows that 85% of the residents of most communities want more safe places to travel and recreate without a car. And if planners, recreation and transportation professionals work together to provide more trails and greenways, we’ll reward them with a 25% increase in physical activity.

Sounds like a good idea to us.  If you would like to help the cause of making the Mascoma River Greenway extension of the Northern Rail Trail from downtown Lebanon to West Lebanon, please be in touch with us.

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More Trails & Greenways = Better Health

Urban planners and public health officials are talking. How does adding trails and greenways to a community for transportation and recreation impact public health?

Turns out that bicycle and pedestrian improvements have  a lot to do with our choice to exercise and commute, ie, if they build it we will walk, bicycle, roller blade, skateboard, stroll with a stroller, zip along on a scooter, cruise in a wheel chair, ski and snowshoe on it. In fact, research shows that 85% of the residents of most communities want more safe places to travel and recreate without a car. And if planners, recreation and transportation professionals work together to provide more trails and greenways, we’ll reward them with a 25% increase in physical activity.

Sounds like a good deal to us! Please let us know if you would like to help the cause of making the Mascoma River Greenway a reality.

 

Location of Old Rail Line

A bird’s  eye view of where the MRGC trail project starts

You can take a virtual tour of the old rail line using Google earth by going to this web page and downloading the attached Google earth file:

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1297589&#Post1297589

The rail line in the winter

Out for ski/showshoe inspection of the rail

The old rail road ties covered in a fresh blanket of snow

Connector Trail

Mascoma River Greenway Coalition Completes Short Connector Trail to Northern Rail Trail

The Mascoma River Greenway Coalition, along with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance, the National Park Service Rivers & Trails Program, and the Lebanon Recreation & Parks Department are pleased to announce the completion of a short connector trail from Mascoma Street to the Northern Rail Trail. The trail leads from the sidewalk on Mascoma Street, near the Slayton Hill underpass and leads 60’ to connect with the Northern Rail Trail. From the Rail Trail, people can then walk, bike or ski safely to the High Street intersection on a separated pathway without having to battle with traffic.

This connector trail was initiated with funding from the National Park Service (NPS) and the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC). They provided $1,975, but volunteers from the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition, the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail and donations from the City leveraged another $2,100 needed to match the NPS and RTC funds. “Several City departments contributed time and expertise to help make this trail a reality,” said Cindy Heath, Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Lebanon’s Recreation & Parks Department, “We were very pleased to see such support for the trail.” The Upper Valley Trails Alliance shouldered a great deal of the work, coordinating with contractors, the City and Alice Peck Day Hospital to help get this trail on the ground. “The Mascoma River Greenway project is directly in line with our vision of creating an accessible trail network in the Upper valley that promotes recreation, health, and alternative transportation in all four seasons. We are happy to lend our support and expertise to these kinds of community trail projects,” said Russell Hirschler, Executive Director of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance.

“The National Park Service is proud to support such capable partners and eager to continue contributing to the Mascoma River Greenway,” says Lelia Mellen. The Mascoma River Greenway Coalition was able to apply for these Challenge Cost Share funds because they are an active partner with the NPS Rivers and Trails Program. Eligible projects include those that are working with NPS on conservation and recreation projects along National Recreation Trails and rail trails.

The Mascoma River Greenway is envisioned as a 4-mile bicycle and pedestrian non-motorized, separated pathway connecting Lebanon with West Lebanon. Where possible the greenway will follow the Northern Rail Trail, but there might be places along this four mile corridor where the greenway will deviate away from the rail corridor and closer to the Mascoma River. The greenway corridor is currently being studied by Bob White and Associates to give the City and the Coalition an Action Plan of where the best location might be for the Mascoma River Greenway.

A grand opening for this connector trail will occur on Sunday, January 31, 1-3pm.

For more information contact: Cindy Heath, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department, Lebanon, NH 03766 (603) 448-5121

Key project contact:
Russell Hirschler (802) 649-9075 or Cindy Heath (603) 448-5121