The Mascoma River Greenway

National “Opening Day for Trails” – Saturday, March 30th

Posted on March 27, 2013 by uvlocalvores | Leave a comment

Wild About Lebanon and National “Opening Day for Trails” is this Saturday, March 30th

Join us for a walk on the wild side of the future Mascoma River Greenway Trail from Slayton Hill underpass west towards the Miracle Mile and Glen Road. Meet at 1pm in the parking area on Mascoma Street across from APD entrance. Walk will be lead by Nicole Cormen and Frank Gould. Dress appropriately for walking over rails and ties, and through brush and small trees.

Hope to see you there,

Frank Gould, Co-chair, Mascoma River Greenway Coalition.

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Posted in Mascoma River Greenway Updates

Mascoma River Greenway Project Gets Go-Ahead

Posted on March 22, 2013 by mascomagreenway | Leave a comment

With the formal acceptance of the Rail Trail Agreement by the City and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation last summer, the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition has been given the green light to continue development that will extend the current pedestrian/bicycle path from Lebanon to West Lebanon.

Once completed, the Mascoma River Greenway will be a four-mile pathway along the former Boston & Maine Railroad corridor that will connect Lebanon and West Lebanon residents to schools, neighborhoods, recreation, work, shopping, a medical center, transit stops and cultural activities. The MRG will eventually run from the current terminus of the Northern Rail Trail at Spencer Street in Lebanon to 12-A and Seminary Hill in West Lebanon.

The current phase of the project, which should be completed in 2014, includes development and completion of the path through the downtown tunnel near Lebanon College, as well as the construction of the path over the four bridges between the intersection of Mascoma Street and Mechanic Street in Lebanon and Glen Road in West Lebanon. “When Phase 1 is completed, we will have a functional trail with a dirt path that is navigable from the center of town to Glen Road by walkers, hikers, runners, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers,” said Paul Coats, director of the Lebanon Recreation & Parks Department. Right now, the Coalition, which is comprised of city staff, City Council members, community leaders, business leaders and citizens, is coordinating a capital campaign to raise money to help fund the project as it continues. It is also looking to tap into another kind of capital: volunteered service hours from residents and businesses.

“Frankly, we can use a lot of extra help,” Coats said. “I’m sure there are people who would want to be part of this project, so they could tell their children and grandchildren that they helped with the construction of the path which they all use and enjoy.” Volunteer work may include everything from helping to publicize the project and solicit donations to clearing brush from the path.

If you are interested in either making a monetary donation, or if you or your business is interested in creating a volunteer work crew for the project, contact Coats at 603-448-5121 or paul.coats@lebcity.com; or the Coalition’s Citizen Chairman, Frank Gould, at 603-448-1660.

For more information on the project, including ways to get involved and other ways to support the MRG, visit the website, or check out the MRG on Facebook.

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Posted in Mascoma River Greenway Updates

Tagged greenway, MRG given the go ahead

Northern Rail Trail is RTC “Trail of the Month”

Posted on March 15, 2013 by mascomagreenway | Leave a comment

Here is a bit of news from our friends at the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail Grafton County.

Rails to Trails Conservancy is going to feature the Northern Rail Trail as the “Trail of the Month” on their web site and in their e-newsletter, for the month of March. Thank you Rails to Trails Conservancy!

Here’s a link to the RTC website to check it out.

Also the Danbury Country Store across from the Danbury trailhead on High Street at NH Rte 4 has changed hands and will feature a sandwich shop when it reopens after renovations are completed. Well-loved Bristol restauranteur Audrey Pellegrino will run the shop. Yay! We love stopping there for refreshment while riding or walking that stretch of the rail trail. Congratulations Phelps clan.

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Posted in Other Good News

Tagged Friends of the Northern Rail Trail Grafton County, Rails to Trails Conservancy

MRG Update

Posted on March 8, 2013 by uvlocalvores | Leave a comment

Mascoma River Greenway Enthusiasts,

Spring is just around the corner. As proof, we move to daylight savings time this weekend. I hate to lose an hour’s sleep, but spring is welcome.

Progress on the development of the rail trail continues. The Leadership and Campaign Committees are meeting regularly to design our fundraising effort. We have completed the design of the Case Statement. Did you know that over 60% of Lebanon residents live within a mile of the rail trail? What an excellent opportunity for getting out and exercising. There will be other advantages, too. Shopping or going to the movies on the Miracle Mile, and biking, walking, or even skateboarding to Riverside Park on Glen Road. That’s what will be available when this trail is complete.

The Campaign Committee has started the initial phase of fundraising and would really love to have any of you reading this to join them in this effort. Talking points and training are provided so you will know what to expect and what to say as you visit nearby businesses and your neighbors to promote the Greenway. While the complete project requires significant funding it has been divided into phases to be paid for over time. The initial phase is designed to open a walkable/bikeable trail in about two years. So, a non-motorized recreation/transportation trail will be here soon. Come join in!

Paul Coats and I have visited with and presented to the Rotary of Lebanon and Riverside Rotary of West Lebanon. Members of both chapters expressed support for the project. It was great to hear their enthusiastic response and a willingness to become part of the process. Developing partners-in-action helps convince others to step in and attach their brand to the MRG.

There is also progress being made in the West Lebanon end of the MRG as a ped/bike path is included in the design of the Iron Horse Development currently being presented to the Lebanon Planning Board. This path would connect the MRG from Glen Road to Elm Street, West and then on into West Lebanon proper. Stay tuned to watch this happen.

Spring grunt work on the MRG will begin with the clearing of brush and trees on a stretch from near APD west to the bridge over I-89. We will also be visiting with MRG trail abutters, both residents and businesses, during the next few weeks to make sure our neighbors know of the Greenway project and the wonderful amenity it will be for their neighborhood and our city.

This update may not be much different from other recent emails, but, while winter slowed the physical progress, it has not slowed the committee work. Please keep yourself posted by visiting this website often. Mascomagreenway.wordpress.com

http://www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringFeatures/trailMonth/archives/1303.html The web address above links to a review of the Northern Rail Trail with pictures and the story of it’s development. It’s really neat, check it out!!

Frank Gould, Co-chair Mascoma Greenway Coalition.

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Posted in Mascoma River Greenway Updates, Other Good News

Mascoma River Greenway’s Winter Charm

Posted on March 8, 2013 by mascomagreenway | Leave a comment

If you haven’t explored the downtown Lebanon section of the Mascoma River Greenway, grab your skis, snowshoes, a few of your closest friends, and a dog if you have one and check it out. With good snow cover, this short section of trail makes for an excellent out and back winter journey on flat terrain. At the APD end, you can walk over to the new APD trails behind Harvest Hill, a sweet network of gently rolling trails designed by the Upper Valley’s own Morton Trails.

And if you’re wondering about the health benefits of cross-country skiing, here’s what WebMD has to say:

“For building endurance, cross-country skiing is one of the best sports you can do,” says Stephen Olvey, MD, an associate professor of clinical neurological surgery at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. It also burns more calories than almost any other activity.

Cross-country skiing is an aerobic sport. That means you move nonstop for an extended period of time while your heart pumps oxygen to your muscles, providing them with energy. “It is about grinding it out over the long haul with no help from gravity,” Olvey says.

The muscles strengthened while you cross-country ski vary with your skiing style. But they typically include the thigh muscles, gluteus maximus (bottom), gastrocnemius (calves), and biceps and triceps (front and back of the upper arm).

In terms of calories, a 150-pound person burns about 500 to 640 calories per hour while cross-country skiing, depending on the effort level.

Here are Olvey’s tips for getting started:

Don’t overdo it. Be conservative in how long you plan to ski.
Prepare yourself ahead of time by using an elliptical trainer to avoid muscle strain.
Bring fluids and snacks, especially if you’re heading to a remote area.
Wear layers of clothing that keep you warm and allow for easy movement.
Be safe. Let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return. “It wouldn’t take long to become hypothermic,” Olvey says.

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Posted in Greenways for Health

Tagged cross country skiing, dog friendly ski trails, health benefits of cross country skiing, lebanon nh, mascoma river greenway

MRG Update

Posted on March 1, 2013 by mascomagreenway | Leave a comment

Dear MRG supporters,

A brief update on the rail trail project and some requests. First, In the last few days, despite some rather cold hands and noses the railing of the Mascoma bridge near the underpass/tunnel in downtown Lebanon has been completed. It has some extension work still to do, but the railing looks great as you drive by on Route 4. While we were working on the bridge there were several walkers who cross going into the city. Nice to know it is being used, and is now safer for that.

Building Rail on Bridge over Mascoma River

We are also about to start the silent phase of our fund raising effort. Anyone interested in helping with that would be welcome. As mentioned before there will be training in presenting the project to potential contributors before asking you to approach anyone. Let me know and I will forward to you information about the meetings.

Also important at the moment, the Communications/Marketing Team is putting together a program for getting the public involved and knowledgeable about the project. We need help in planning the process as well as implementing it. If any of you have experience with “getting the word out” and would available, we have a meeting set for this Thursday in the West Meeting Room at City Hall at noon. Please come participate. If you can’t make it Thursday I can add you to the C/M list for future involvement.

Finally, I have heard from several people who would like to help with the physical work when it comes up. I didn’t invite those people to the bridge work because to many people would have been dangerous. The six who helped was a good number. However, I am still adding to that work list and would like to add anyone else who wants to send along word. There will actual trail work in the spring. Now is a good time to sign up.

Enjoy the New Year – hope you will be able to keep any resolutions you made with yourself.

Frank Gould, Co-chair Mascoma River Greenway Coalition

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Posted in Mascoma River Greenway Updates

On Track to Off Track – Removing Tracks and Adding Rails

Posted on February 19, 2013 by uvlocalvores | 2 comments

Before the snows came this winter, we began work to open the MRG rail corridor into downtown Lebanon. The corridor crosses the Mascoma River near the intersection at High, Mascoma, and Mechanic Streets and passes through a tunnel under Hanover St/Rt 120, emerging in the lower parking area near Village Pizza.

Volunteers braved the cold to tear out the brush and vines along the tracks; Lebanon DPW then used their heavy equipment to remove tracks and ties. This gave walkers easier access to the bridge and the tunnel.

It was a spooky walk. There were no guardrails on the bridge and the tunnel was unlit. The next step was to make the bridge safe for walkers. Lebanon Parks and Recreation jumped to the task; Paul Coats and Rick Desharnais spent a couple of days anchoring posts for a handrail. Then, on a much colder day, volunteers, some the same and some different, attached the railing. It took several days for completion.

Today the bridge is beautiful – look for it as you drive on Mechanic Street near Goss Logan.

As for the tunnel, it is still unlit and spooky. We are getting estimates for lighting. Ultimately, it is hoped, we can transform the tunnel into a venue for artwork, making it a place our citizens and tourists will be drawn to visit.

Current Tunnel Artwork

An added benefit of this part of the project is that it provides safer bridge access to the pocket park designed and constructed by Eagle Scout Jake Jasinski. (The park is located behind Goss Logan.)

Thanks to all the wonderful people who have helped this project to date. Volunteers for grunt work include Nichole Cormen, Dick Mackay, Dick Corr, Alex Langsner, Doug McGrath, David Keno, Betsy Drinkwater, Radley Harold, Ken Warren, Gail Wasson, Paul Coats and Rick Desharnais from Parks and Rec, and myself, Frank Gould. If I’ve left anyone out I apologize. Thanks also to Lebanon DPW for their time and LaValley’s Building Supply for working with us to supply the materials for the guardrail.

Once the snow is gone, construction will continue with a second guardrail on the upriver side of the bridge and decking for the trestle section with open ties. The next step will be the stone bridge near Slayton Hill and Alice Peck Day Hospital where more brush will be removed and guardrails installed. Anyone who wants to be notified to help with these projects can contact me at go2teach@comcast.net. and I will add your name to our list.

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Posted in Mascoma River Greenway Updates

Tagged artwork, Jake Jasinski's pocket park

Tunnels & Bridges

Posted on February 16, 2013 by mascomagreenway | 2 comments

Greenway Bridge Design

The Mascoma River Greenway from downtown Lebanon to West Lebanon winds its way over four bridges and through two tunnels. The MRC Coalition is targeting its investments toward improving these structures in 2013 and 2014. With safe passage through the bridges and tunnels, construction of the rest of the Greenway will be much easier as funding becomes available and our volunteer base builds.

So what makes a good tunnel design on a Greenway system? It turns out this question has been well-researched by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in its publication TUNNELS ON TRAILS: A Study of 78 Tunnels on 36 Trails in the United States.

Greenway Tunnel

This article has great case studies we can learn from – what features help to make a tunnel safe for the user? Good lighting, good drainage and good signage to name a few.

So stay tuned for more updates on how the Mascoma River Greenway is moving forward – we still need volunteers to help with promotion and other tasks – contact Frank Gould go2teach@comcast.net or Paul Coats paul.coats@lebcity.com to get involved!

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Posted in Greenways for Health

Tagged greenway bridges, greenway tunnels, mascoma river greenway, safe greenway tunnels

Building An Age Friendly Community

Posted on February 9, 2013 by mascomagreenway | Leave a comment

Riding in style on the Northern Rail Trail

How will the Mascoma River Greenway help Lebanon become more ‘age friendly’? Well, as parks and recreation professionals and planners sometimes like to say, “Place Matters”. Lebanon is fortunate to have the beautiful Mascoma River running through the City, the well-loved Colburn Park and Farmers’ Market, the Lebanon Opera House and Witherell/CCB Recreation Centers, shopping and restaurant opportunities close to downtown. In West Lebanon, the Kilton Library, the new River Park development, restaurants and stores make downtown on the west side of the City a destination as well. In between, Riverside Community Park with a Greenway connector already in place from the park to the Powerhouse Mall, a skateboard park, playground and volleyball courts complete the picture of Lebanon as a very special community for all ages.

Please think about how you might help contribute of your time and talents to the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition. Contact Frank Gould, go2teach@comcast.net or Paul Coats, paul.coats@lebcity.com.