Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2016 Town Report
December 31, 2016
Founded in 2004, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is dedicated to the development and management of this tremendous 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 and Salem, the 2 trails offer 11 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
In the 10th year of development, we are excited to announce that the final half mile of the remaining section of trail was completed in October, which also included joining the first mile into the northernmost Salem section. The project was a combination of direct WRTA funding of a ¼ mile and the remaining resulting from a Transportation Enhancement Grant previously awarded that was matched 20% by the Town of Windham.(as approved by a Warrant Article.)
Approximately 325 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 60 hours of work at the Windham Depot that included mowing, landscaping, lawn upkeep and painting. Various maintenance and trail clean-up days we held assisted through our volunteer network. The WRTA also thanks those who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean. We are always looking for volunteers and sponsors, who may contact us through our website.
A beautiful June 12 Sunday morning welcomed 338 runners and a large contingent of spectators at our 9th Annual Windham Rail Trail Flat n Fast Race. Overall winner was Jacob Johns of North Andover, Mass with a time of 16:18 and for the women, Mary Klene of Derry broke the women’s course record clocking time of 18:51. As usual, we received many notes and comments of congratulations for the operation of the event, the food, location, and of course the trail and Depot.
The popularity of the completed southern section is impressing on the need for safety measures at the Roulston Road crossing and pressing the need for implementation of a parking lot at on Route 28 at the state owned (and currently leased to the Town) land formerly the Rodgers Service site.
Looking to the future, we have an immediate need to refurbish the 1800 Foot “Rainforest” section of the trail that is affected by a high water table resulting of an insufficient drainage system. Given this situation, this extraordinary section of trail has many frost heaves and cracking of pavement that presents a serious safety concern. With a quote obtained by the WRTA and presented to the CIP Committee, the $130K project was accepted and placed in the CIP budget for a 2 year funding plan. With that schedule, we anticipate the work to occur after the 2018 Town Meeting.
As always, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from our users. The formal usage counts show without any doubt the popularity and usage support the Windham Rail Trail as the most renowned paved rail trail in the state! Windham should take pride in that the success of the Windham Rail Trail has spread to the region, and along with the connected Salem and Derry sections 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
2016 Town Report
December 31, 2016
Founded in 2004, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is dedicated to the development and management of this tremendous 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 and Salem, the 2 trails offer 11 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
In the 10th year of development, we are excited to announce that the final half mile of the remaining section of trail was completed in October, which also included joining the first mile into the northernmost Salem section. The project was a combination of direct WRTA funding of a ¼ mile and the remaining resulting from a Transportation Enhancement Grant previously awarded that was matched 20% by the Town of Windham.(as approved by a Warrant Article.)
Approximately 325 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 60 hours of work at the Windham Depot that included mowing, landscaping, lawn upkeep and painting. Various maintenance and trail clean-up days we held assisted through our volunteer network. The WRTA also thanks those who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean. We are always looking for volunteers and sponsors, who may contact us through our website.
A beautiful June 12 Sunday morning welcomed 338 runners and a large contingent of spectators at our 9th Annual Windham Rail Trail Flat n Fast Race. Overall winner was Jacob Johns of North Andover, Mass with a time of 16:18 and for the women, Mary Klene of Derry broke the women’s course record clocking time of 18:51. As usual, we received many notes and comments of congratulations for the operation of the event, the food, location, and of course the trail and Depot.
The popularity of the completed southern section is impressing on the need for safety measures at the Roulston Road crossing and pressing the need for implementation of a parking lot at on Route 28 at the state owned (and currently leased to the Town) land formerly the Rodgers Service site.
Looking to the future, we have an immediate need to refurbish the 1800 Foot “Rainforest” section of the trail that is affected by a high water table resulting of an insufficient drainage system. Given this situation, this extraordinary section of trail has many frost heaves and cracking of pavement that presents a serious safety concern. With a quote obtained by the WRTA and presented to the CIP Committee, the $130K project was accepted and placed in the CIP budget for a 2 year funding plan. With that schedule, we anticipate the work to occur after the 2018 Town Meeting.
As always, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from our users. The formal usage counts show without any doubt the popularity and usage support the Windham Rail Trail as the most renowned paved rail trail in the state! Windham should take pride in that the success of the Windham Rail Trail has spread to the region, and along with the connected Salem and Derry sections 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