Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2014 Town Report
December 31, 2014
Founded in 2004, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is dedicated to the development and management of this 4.6 mile section of abandoned rail bed as a paved rail trail which is part of the Granite State Rail Trail. Connected with Derry, the 2 trails offer 8 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
Approximately 530 hours were spent on maintenance by the WRTA and several trail volunteers on brush cutting, trash removal, cutting downed trees, and the critical chore of clearing the trail and drainage lines of leaves. Included are over 70 hours of work at the Windham Depot that included mowing, landscaping, lawn upkeep and painting, Our annual trail clean-up day was in May, which will repeat in 2015. We also recognize and thank those users who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean.
Significant this year is that 2 trail use counts were completed. Counts are important and used for many aspects of a trail such as publicity, community/economic development, and grant/sponsor requirements. Manual counts occurred on July 18 with 920 trips noted and on July 19 with 1,100. On both days the Depot parking lot averaged over-capacity numbers (38) between 11 and 2. Roulston Rd averaged 12 cars in that period. The weather was sunny with normal seasonal temperatures.
The remaining development of the final half mile is positioned to start in spring of 2015. The WRTA will entirely fund the first portion from Roulston Road to the 111 bridge, thus reducing the cost of the work. The remaining quarter mile is supported by the Transportation Enhancement Grant previously awarded matched with 20% approved at Town Meeting. Engineering completed this year that will target the construction in the May/June timeframe. That piece of construction includes about a half mile of the northern Salem section.
This year’s 7th annual Flat n Fast 5k brought a race high of 426 runners from many communities, continuing the popularity and participation of the USATF certified race! Overall winners were Sam Fazioli of Salem at 16:48 and Mary Klene of Derry at 19:24. Sam repeats his win from 2013.
Great weather and an enthusiastic crowd were in order for the Sunday September 28 running of the 2nd Annual Convenient MD 10K on the Windham Rail Trail. 196 registrants from Windham and many surrounding communities traveled to participate in the race which was part of the 2014 NH Grand Prix Circuit, an exceptional recognition of effort for the races held on the trail.
The overall and men's winner, and setting the new course record at 32:53 was Alex Hall of Hanover, NH. Alex represented the Upper Valley Running Club. Leading the women was Amy Bernard of Hampstead representing the Greater Derry Track Club setting the women’s course record at 38:12. We thank our major sponsor, Convenient MD who was the major motivator in recommending and offering to sponsor the race.
As always, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from our users. Windham should take pride in that the success of the Windham Rail Trail has spread to the region, and along with the Derry section puts us on the national scene. We are happy to remain the exclamation point for rail trail recreation in Windham and New Hampshire!
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2014 Town Report
December 31, 2014
Founded in 2004, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is dedicated to the development and management of this 4.6 mile section of abandoned rail bed as a paved rail trail which is part of the Granite State Rail Trail. Connected with Derry, the 2 trails offer 8 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
Approximately 530 hours were spent on maintenance by the WRTA and several trail volunteers on brush cutting, trash removal, cutting downed trees, and the critical chore of clearing the trail and drainage lines of leaves. Included are over 70 hours of work at the Windham Depot that included mowing, landscaping, lawn upkeep and painting, Our annual trail clean-up day was in May, which will repeat in 2015. We also recognize and thank those users who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean.
Significant this year is that 2 trail use counts were completed. Counts are important and used for many aspects of a trail such as publicity, community/economic development, and grant/sponsor requirements. Manual counts occurred on July 18 with 920 trips noted and on July 19 with 1,100. On both days the Depot parking lot averaged over-capacity numbers (38) between 11 and 2. Roulston Rd averaged 12 cars in that period. The weather was sunny with normal seasonal temperatures.
The remaining development of the final half mile is positioned to start in spring of 2015. The WRTA will entirely fund the first portion from Roulston Road to the 111 bridge, thus reducing the cost of the work. The remaining quarter mile is supported by the Transportation Enhancement Grant previously awarded matched with 20% approved at Town Meeting. Engineering completed this year that will target the construction in the May/June timeframe. That piece of construction includes about a half mile of the northern Salem section.
This year’s 7th annual Flat n Fast 5k brought a race high of 426 runners from many communities, continuing the popularity and participation of the USATF certified race! Overall winners were Sam Fazioli of Salem at 16:48 and Mary Klene of Derry at 19:24. Sam repeats his win from 2013.
Great weather and an enthusiastic crowd were in order for the Sunday September 28 running of the 2nd Annual Convenient MD 10K on the Windham Rail Trail. 196 registrants from Windham and many surrounding communities traveled to participate in the race which was part of the 2014 NH Grand Prix Circuit, an exceptional recognition of effort for the races held on the trail.
The overall and men's winner, and setting the new course record at 32:53 was Alex Hall of Hanover, NH. Alex represented the Upper Valley Running Club. Leading the women was Amy Bernard of Hampstead representing the Greater Derry Track Club setting the women’s course record at 38:12. We thank our major sponsor, Convenient MD who was the major motivator in recommending and offering to sponsor the race.
As always, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from our users. Windham should take pride in that the success of the Windham Rail Trail has spread to the region, and along with the Derry section puts us on the national scene. We are happy to remain the exclamation point for rail trail recreation in Windham and New Hampshire!
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance