After years of stasis on making land in the Westboro Rail Yard publicly available, state and city officials last week met to talk over a potential sale of 6.7 acres of state-owned land along the Connecticut that could, at some point, become a park and provide a link through West Leb to the Mascoma River Greenway and Northern Rail Trail. They reached a tentative agreement, reports Patrick Adrian in the Valley News: The city will buy the land for an undetermined price, the state will remove existing contaminants. There is a long list of official sign-offs to come.
It has been several years since I”ve been able to get out to the western end of the MRG . . . and I had forgotten the wild beauty . . . who would guess there would be such vistas between Mechanic Street and Mascoma/Old Pine Cemetery Road?!?
Riverbend – looking North
Riverbend – looking South
Fields of Goldenrod – as far as the eye can see
How did I get there with my bone-on-bone knees? By Trishaw, piloted by a delightfiul pilot, Amy Chan. Amy is on the Board of the Northern Rail Trail; the NRT. has been collaborating with Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks to bring the international program Cycling Without Age to Lebanon.
Trishaw Pilot Amy Chan
It was a beautiful day and Amy and I met at the MRG tunnel and headed west to the end at Glen Road. I wish I had taken photos of all the people we met along the trail! Lots of walkers and bikers, a scooter or two, babies and toddlers in strollers, and two little ones on their pedal-free balance bikes. There was so much to see, including this trailside Black Swallowtail caterpillar on Queen Anne’s Lace.
“The black swallowtail caterpillar feeds on many different plants in the Apiaceae, or carrot family, including Queen Anne’s lace, celery, parsley, carrots, dill, and parsnip.”
For those of us with mobility or stamina issues, this Trishaw program is a wonderful gift and it will be available as soon as Trishaw pilots have been trained. You can learn about becoming a Trishaw pilot and upcoming trainings by contacting Sean.dittrich@gmail.com. To support this program in other ways, contact Amyjwchan@gmail.com.
Thanks to Amy, the NRT, and Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks for bringing this great program to Lebanon! Stay tuned for next steps once we have trained pilots . . . 30 volunteers have already signed up!
Thanks to grants from the AARP Community Challenge program and the Granite State Wheelmen, Friends of the Northern Rail Trail (FNRT) and Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks have collaborated to bring Cycling Without Age to Lebanon’s MRG and NRT Trails. This international program connects volunteer cyclists with seniors and others with mobility restrictions to enjoy a ride on the Trails. We’re building our team of “pilots” now!
If you would like to learn more about becoming a trishaw pilot and upcoming trainings, contact Sean.dittrich@gmail.com
To support this program in other ways, contact Amyjwchan@gmail.com.
For a 3 min video introduction to the program, check out
These Girl Scouts from Troop 10659 were putting the finishing touches on the planter cubes by the MRG Pocket Park near the tunnel. It has been wonderful to see the continuing community spirit that is developing and enlivening the MRG!
“Crossing over the Rainbow Bridge” takes on new meaning, thanks to Girl Scout Troop 10659 and other volunteers. Wow! We are thrilled to see their hard work and planning come together this past weekend. The bridge looks so festive! Special thanks to Sherwin Williams for donating the paint and materials to get the job done. There are plans to decorate the nearby planters with murals and their individual handprints. Thanks to all involved for brightening the way!
The City of Lebanon has completed paving from Spencer Street to Bank St Extension including a safety-forward pedestrian crossing beacon. This crosswalk connects the MRG /tunnel and new multiuse path to the Northern Rail Trail all the way to Boscawen, NH.
Thanks to the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail for this image!
Until this week, we have seen very few pollinators along the MRG Pollinator Corridor. It was a relief to finally spot many bees and a few monarchs and hummingbirds these last few days The red bee balm is a powerful draw! And the butterfly milkweed is finally attracting monarchs.
With direction from Pocket Park creator, Cindy Heath, the Upper Valley Valkyries Rugby Team and friends refreshed the MRG park by the tunnel. Such wonderful energy! They worked non-stop for hours, weeding, mulching, and raking. The park looks great.
They also transplanted blueberry bushes from the shade to the sunny side. Those blueberries look happier already. Thanks to all for a job well done!. https://www.uppervalleyrugby.com/
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.
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
The Mascoma River Greenway 