Some folks are “Regulars” on the MRG. It was fun to meet Marian and her two young bikers, Lilly and Robbie, taking advantage of a nice Spring day..Marian said they try to ride on the MRG every day.
Over the years, progress has been made toward improving the safety and comfort of walking and bicycling in the City of Lebanon. Some notable achievements include the construction of the Mascoma River Greenway, improved pedestrian safety along the Miracle Mile, addition of sidewalks, and the adoption of a Complete Streets policy.
However, Lebanon has never had a comprehensive, citywide plan for walking and bicycling. Once completed, this plan will identify specific actions that the City can take to develop a safe, comfortable, and connected walking and bicycling network, including connections to public transportation services.
The plan will inform how walking and bicycling improvements factor into future City budgets and Capital Improvements Programs, which grant opportunities are pursued, and how new and existing developments can be connected into the walking and bicycling network. Taking a City-wide approach will help identify the highest-priority improvements that can be achieved with limited resources and funding.
Walk, Bike, Ride Leb – Online Survey
What would help you and others to get around Lebanon by foot, bike and bus more often–and with less stress? Take a visual stroll with us through the Walk, Bike, Ride Leb plan’s themes and take a brief survey to share your thoughts with the City of Lebanon decision-makers. Access the Public Input Portal here.
It was good to see so many people gathered in the tunnel for the unveiling of the new art work.
“Ironwood Tree“
“Pollinators” – depicting some of the life along the Mascoma River Greenway.
These are the first two pieces of the tunnel vision – more art is being planned for the tunnel and the MRG!
(Did you wonder about the inclusion of a fish on the Pollinator piece? Here is research from the University of Florida: “Scientists have discovered that fish indirectly help spread pollen among flowers near the water. That’s because they eat dragonfly larva, which live in freshwater ponds and other water bodies. Adult dragonflies are major predators of bees, butterflies and other insect pollinators. The result is a simple but unexpected cascade: The more fish, the fewer dragonflies, the more bees and butterflies, the more plant pollination, reproduction and seeds.” So it would seem that fish are actually partners in pollination, thought they themselves do not pollinate . . .and it is the dragonflies in the art work that we might question.) More
Lebanon has a vision for those blank walls of the downtown tunnel; two new public art installations will be revealed as part of Lebanon’s Winter Celebration on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 4:15 pm in the tunnel.
Join the Lebanon Arts and Culture Commission, Lebanon Recreation Arts & Parks, and featured artists
“Pollinators” – AVA team: Allison Zito, Amber Geneva, Debra Jayne, Tyler Morrison, and Michael Kraatz
You may have noticed details added to the benches on the Mascoma River Greenway. Thank you to volunteer Todd Caruso, from Hypertherm North America, for giving his time to the community. We hope you enjoy the newest installation on the MRG.
“As we were pedaling through the tunnel, four clarinetists, John, Amy, Dan and Chris, were setting up their stands: we stayed to hear them play Haydn’s St. Anthony’s Chorale. It filled our day with joy to hear music under the mall!” – Rainie and Larry Kelly
We often hear the hoots and hollers as children enjoy their echos in the tunnel – imagine the delightful reverberations of Haydn and these clarinets!
Ordinarily, when bugs are eating our plants, it is cause for concern . . . but in a pollinator garden, when it’s a monarch caterpillar, we rejoice! Note how much of the leaf has been eaten!
– MRG pollinator garden at intersection of Mascoma/Mechanic/High streets
Now that the tunnel is open, access from the MRG to the Northern Rail Trail is facilitated!
In celebration of the Northern Rail Trail’s 25th Anniversary in 2021, Friends of the Northern Rail Trail (FNRT) invites the whole community to participate in a challenge to walk, run, or bike 25 miles (cumulative) on the Northern Rail Trail this summer!
Students in the Lebanon and Mascoma Valley School systems will receive their cards through the schools in early June. Others may pick up a card at Omer and Bob’s bicycle shop in downtown Lebanon or at the grand opening of the Lebanon Mall Tunnel on July 8th.
To participate, simply register online at bit.ly/fnrt-25. Once you have completed 25 miles, return your card to Omer and Bob’s to be entered in our raffle on August 26th. Prizes include gift certificates that support businesses located along our trail!
For questions, or to help support the Northern Rail Trail celebration, contact Amy Chan at amyjoywright@hotmail.com.
Sponsors include Friends of the Northern Rail Trail, Hypertherm HOPE Foundation, and Rotary Club of Lebanon NH, USA.
The Mascoma River Greenway 