These gardens were created by members of the Dartmouth Class of 1989 last year, in colllaboration with Creating Habitat for Pollinators. There are several such gardens along the MRG; these two are in back of the “Miracle Mile”. The Class of ’89 have also created pollinator gardens at the cemetery off of Pleasant Street in West Lebanon and at the Lebanon Airport .
It is fun to note the many ways of enjoying the MRG and the different modes of transport. On foot, on bicycles, tricycles, balance bikes, trishaw, on roller blades, in strollers, ski rollers, with dogs, and whole families. Whether your interest is in fitness, plants, birdwatching, scenic views, meeting up with a friend, or shade on a hot day, the MRG offers a multitude of pleasures.
On Wednesday’s rainy morning, it was a delight to come upon John Garoutte’s expansion of his “Patchwork” mural in the MRG tunnel, depicting many elements of Lebanon’s history and identity. The title itself, “Patchwork”, reflects Lebanon’s textile history of woolen and cotton mills, The mural is a patchwork of some of Lebanon’s neighborhoods with their New England vernacular architecture, historic buildings, the natural features of trees, hills, waterways, snow and ice, the varied seasons. Packard Hill covered bridge, Mascoma Lake, Storrs Hill.
And in this historic railroad tunnel, a reminder of how we have transported ourselves through the centuries, by river, train, on foot, car, airplane, bikes, skis, and skateboard. Do visit and follow the progress of this vibrant addtion to the MRG tunnel and see what special patches you can identify!
Tunnel Vision – John Garoutte – a Man with a Plan
P.S. Noting the buttons in the mural, I wondered if Lebanon ever had a button factory and came upon this little bit of Lebanon history:
“Henry Wood Carter, born in Concord, NH set up shop out of his house and barn in Lebanon, NH. Dubbed “The Merchant Prince”, Carter became a wide-ranging traveling peddler, driving a series of colorful horse-drawn wagons all around the region. He sold a very long list of notions domestic and foreign, dozens and dozens . . . watches, jewelry, cutlery, combs, thread, silk, buttons, perfumes, soap, wallets, guitar strings, boxes, stationery, brushes, fans, “segars”, you name it.” https://www.ephemerasociety.org/yankee-peddler/#:~:text=Henry%20Wood%20Carter%2C%20born%20in,wagons%20all%20around%20the%20region.
We are so lucky to have this Cycling Without Age trishaw and a host of volunteer pilots available to widen access to the MRG and NRT! Thanks to pilot Chipper Ashley for a great trip!
And behold! New swag to carry the message!
Much appreciation to all who made this program happen.
As more residents and visitors elect to walk and bike around the city, Lebanon is committed to making our streets safe and inviting for non-motorized users. The purpose of the Walk, Bike, Ride Leb (WBRL) Plan is to create a safe, comfortable, and connected walking and bicycling network in the City of Lebanon, including connections to public transportation. The WBRL Plan is founded on a review of existing data and plans, and the incorporation of diverse public input. It identifies the community’s highest priority multimodal improvements. Now near completion, the final draft of the WBRL plan is poised as a key tool to inform how walking and bicycling improvements are factored into City budgets and Capital Improvements Programs, which grant opportunities are pursued, and how new and existing developments can be connected to the walking and bicycling network.
To provide comments on the WBRL Plan, email rebecca.owens@lebanonnh.gov or attend one of the following public meetings where the plan will be considered for endorsement and adoption. Full meeting details will be available at LebanonNH.gov/LIVE.
For those who are unable to walk or bike Lebanon’s rail trails, a ride in a trishaw is a wonderful way to experience the trails.Might you be interested in volunteering as a pilot for the Cycling Without Age program?
Three new pilot orientations will be offered this spring. To get on the waitlist for the orientations, sign up atwww.fnrt.org/cwa
Our 5th pilot orientation was held Wednesday, October 5th from 4:30-6pm at Eldridge Lot in Lebanon (between Jim Wechsler Field and Canillas Community Garden.) To learn more about the program and try out the trishaw! Sign up here to be notified of future orientation events.
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
The Mascoma River Greenway 