Category Archives: Uncategorized

One of the exciting aspects of the Mascoma River Greenway is that it will open up aspects of the Mascoma River that have long been hidden from view.  We have this wonderful resource running through our city, but it is little seen and under-appreciated.  Many folks are eager to bike, hike, run, or ski on the MRG,  others will enjoy a little meander that brings them to a scenic spot on the river. On this frosty January day, one can dream about a summer day and a perfect picnic spot along the river . . . for example, take a satellite view of the small waterfall hiding behind the Miracle Mile . . . wouldn’t that be a great destination for a picnic? https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6363177,-72.2936385,300m/data=!3m1!1e3   (see the white water at the top,  left of center . . . and then take a virtual tour along the river  . . .  it’s not easy to see where the trail is;  you can click on the map above to orient yourself.

*Thanks to the generously donated efforts of Ashley Romeo-Boles at the law firm of Schuster, Buttrey and Wing, the railroad and State DOT have joined the City in filing for official Abandonment and Discontinuation of the remaining section of the Greenway.  The 7 pound document has been sent to Washington; when approved by the Federal Government, we will have permission to move forward with the remaining construction.

*Construction of rails on the Slayton Hill Bridge is scheduled for July with a plan to improve access from the trail to the APD parking lot. City Engineering staff will help complete work on the bridge in downtown Lebanon near A.B.Gile.

*The Jane McLaughlin Foundation offered the MRG a matching grant.  If we could raise $50,000 from individual donors, the foundation would donate $200,000, a 4 to 1 match.  We are within $2,300 of meeting the $50,000 match. If you have intended to make a donation to the Mascoma River Greenway, now is the time – you could help secure that match.

The Upper Valley Trails Alliance is the fiscal agent for the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition. To make a tax-deductible donation send checks, made out to UVTA with Mascoma River Greenway in the memo line to:

Upper Valley Trails Alliance
PO Box 1215
Norwich, VT 05055

or make an online donation via our secure website, click here.

Thanks to all who have already donated in so many ways!

Photo by Rainie Kelly

The MRG trail in winter . . . in time, it will be a groomed trail. Imagine being able to cross-country ski all the way from downtown Lebanon to West Lebanon!

Have you received a copy of the new quarterly publication The Lebanon Times? The focus is on “Good People – Good Places – Good Things Happening”. In the first issue, the Mascoma Greenway is one of the good things happening in Lebanon. You can check out the article on page 19 at this link:
http://thelebanontimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/LT-Fall-2013-web.pdf

The morning was already hot and humid as volunteers from Hypertherm, RSG, and King Arthur Flour showed up with saws, loppers, and work gloves, to continue work on clearing the trail. It was amazing what was accomplished. The trail is now clear of trees and brush from downtown Lebanon to Glen Road. As you can tell from the photos, that took a lot of sweat equity. Thanks for all the hard work on a sweltering day!

King Arthur Flour Volunteer

Hyper-Therm Volunteer

Advocates for bicycling and pedestrian safety and community connectivity realize that good things take time. That’s why patience and persistence are key qualities for anyone who is inspired to be part of the human powered transportation and recreation  movement.

Joy Ride

In her new book, Mia Burke, the City of Portland, Oregon’s first Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator (imagine a paid position focusing on advancing bicycle and pedestrian initiatives!), outlines what it takes to accomplish great things in moving active transportation and recreation projects forward, despite challenging odds like lack of funding and a culture of car-centric transportation planning.

Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet tells the dramatic and enlightening behind-the-scenes story of how a group of determined visionaries transformed Portland, OR into a cycling mecca and inspired the nation. Through a panoply of hilarious and poignant stories, author Mia Birk takes readers on a 20-year rollercoaster journey of global and local discovery and education, while bringing into sharp focus some of the planet’s most pressing and hotly debated energy and transportation issues, policies, shortcomings, and solutions.

Bicycle Commuting Heaven

Ask your library or local bookstore to stock a copy of Joyride and take it for a spin. It will help you understand the big picture visionary thinking that’s necessary to implement bicycle & pedestrian improvements, one small project at a time.

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

Volunteers On The Trail

In 2009, members of the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition and the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail, along with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance, the National Park Service Rivers & Trails Program, and the Lebanon Recreation & Parks Department worked to complete 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. 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, andalternative 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.

Greenway Ribbon Cutting – APD Connector

“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.

For more information visit www.mascomagreenway.wordpress.com or contact the Lebanon Parks & Recreation Department, 603-448-5121.

Folks,

I REALLY could use a few hands to help me continue my informal
personal effort to eradicate the invasive non-native garlic mustard
plant that has spread along the Rail Trail in Lebanon and partway
into Enfield. Three or four of us have been working on this for the
last couple of years, with success .

garlic mustard

The bad news: Garlic mustard (GM) seeds remain viable for 4-5 years.
The plant alters soil chemistry to favor its sole propagation. The
good news: Garlic mustard is easy to pull; no special tools
required. Ticks don’t seem to like the GM, but take precautions
anyway; gloves, long pants & sleeves are advised.

Please read about this dastardly plant here:

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/alpe1.htm

http://www.eminnetonka.com/public_works/natural_resources/restoration/documents/garlic_mustard_presentation.pdf

We have until sunset on June 12, after which the Rail Trail is
scheduled to be mowed–which likely is how the plant spread in the
first place.

Here are the NRT Lebanon/Enfield infestations known to me, starting
from the east:

*Enfield, between Baltic Mill & Pillsbury St.: 4 separate clumps
along S shoulder–DONE FOR THIS YEAR

*Lebanon, between Excelsior Mill/Memorial Pool bridge & the CCBA
trailhead.: Many large & small clumps, again, generally thicker on
the N side. SOME WORK BEGUN YESTERDAY FROM EAST END.

*Lebanon, Mascoma River Greeenway between High St. & APD: Worst
clump is on S side, W of the dumpsters. THE MOTHER LODE :—(

If any of you Rail Trail users/enthusiasts, wildflower admirers,
convivial gardeners, etc., can lend a hand at any time between now
and June 12, I’d be glad to meet with you, show you how we do this,
& pull together. Even an hour is helpful!

PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE HEADING OUT ON YOUR OWN SO WE CAN COORDINATE EFFORTS. I check e-mail in the morning & evening.

Home phone 448-2442; if you get a message, try me in the field:
603-252-4730.

BONUS: I will treat the first 5 respondents who turn out to help
with a Dairy Twirl item of your choosing.

THANKS SO MUCH!!!