Recycle the Railroad – “From Rails to Trails”

There was a time when the Mascoma River was seen as a source of power for industry, with the river hidden behind factories and businesses. The railway served those businesses as Lebanon developed. In many ways it serves a very different purpose today, re-creation in its many forms and maybe even relief from that development. Check out this new PBS special; From Rails to Trails. It’s the story of one of the most unlikely social movements in American history: the struggle to convert thousands of miles of abandoned railroads into trails for cycling and walking. Facing fierce opposition and legal challenges from private property owners, leaders fought to reclaim these corridors for the public, creating a national network of scenic, car-free paths.