The Mascoma River Greenway

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!!!

Urban planners and public health officials are talking. How does adding trails and greenways to a community for transportation and recreation impact public health?

Turns out that bicycle and pedestrian improvements have  a lot to do with our choice to exercise and commute, ie, if they build it we will walk, bicycle, roller blade, skateboard, stroll with a stroller, zip along on a scooter, cruise in a wheel chair, ski and snowshoe on it. In fact, research shows that 85% of the residents of most communities want more safe places to travel and recreate without a car. And if planners, recreation and transportation professionals work together to provide more trails and greenways, we’ll reward them with a 25% increase in physical activity.

Sounds like a good deal to us! Please let us know if you would like to help the cause of making the Mascoma River Greenway a reality.

Welcome to the Mascoma River Greenway Homepage! Here you can find out everything from the plans for the greenway (“About”) to opportunities on how to get involved.  The development of the greenway and negotiations for the land have been going on for the last five years, negotiating with the NH Department of Transportation, cleaning up the downtown section, and acquiring support from the Lebanon City Council to make improvements to the tunnel under the Lebanon Mall. We are finally ready to move forward, and we need your help. The Mascoma River Greenway  was designed by and for the people of Lebanon and so it is appropriate that the citizens of Lebanon become involved in building this unique non-motorized transportation and recreation pathway for all to use.

Mascoma River Greenway

Workdays are perfect for Boy/Girl Scout events, service trips, employee community service, or just a day outside with the family.  To learn more about workdays and other ways to get involved visit the “Get Involved” tab above.

This website is also an opportunity for us to get feedback from you and the rest of the community regarding your thoughts on the Mascoma River Greenway or ways we can improve our involvement with community.  Please feel free to leave comments anywhere on the website.

Thank you,

The Mascoma River Greenway Coalition

The Lebanon Recreation & Parks Department

The Upper Valley Trails Alliance

Friends of the Northern Rail Trail – Grafton County