Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2017 Town Report
December 31, 2017
Founded in 2004, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is dedicated to the development and management of this remarkable 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!
Approximately 315 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 were 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 11 Sunday morning welcomed our runners and a large contingent of spectators at our 10th Annual Windham Rail Trail Flat n Fast Race. Overall winner was Jacob John of North Andover, Mass with a time of 17:02 and for the women, Mary Klene of Derry broke her own women’s course record clocking time of 18:49. As always, we received many notes and comments of congratulations for the operation of the event, the food, location, and of course the trail and Depot. Teams that participated this year represented Enterprise Bank, Catholic Medical Center, Stonyfield and Grinnell Middle school of Derry. Our 2018 Race has been selected as one of the New Hampshire Grand Prix running events!
The popularity of the completed southern section is impressing on the need for safety measures at the Roulston Road crossing. One key improvement was the development of a parking lot at on Route 28 at the state owned (and currently leased to the Town) land formerly the Rodgers Service site. We will continue to work with the town on crossing improvements.
The WRTA presented serious safety issues at the Depot and Frost Rd Crossings to the BOS. There is a growing unimpeded speed issue of vehicles passing through this heavily used pedestrian and bicyclist crossing. After much discussion of remediation plan and future studies, it was determined and approved by the BOS to install speed bumps before and after the crossing. We expect installation in Spring 2018.
The status of our Capital Improvement Plan approved request to rebuild the 1800 Foot “Rainforest” section of the trail did not proceed as anticipated. Although the CIP Committee, recommended the $130K project in 2016, the Board of Selectmen determined not to fund at this time. That section presents serious degradation and safety issues that is affected by a high water table resulting of an insufficient drainage system. Looking to the future, as recommended by the BOS, we will present the request again in 2018.
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!
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2017 Town Report
December 31, 2017
Founded in 2004, the Windham Rail Trail Alliance is dedicated to the development and management of this remarkable 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!
Approximately 315 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 were 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 11 Sunday morning welcomed our runners and a large contingent of spectators at our 10th Annual Windham Rail Trail Flat n Fast Race. Overall winner was Jacob John of North Andover, Mass with a time of 17:02 and for the women, Mary Klene of Derry broke her own women’s course record clocking time of 18:49. As always, we received many notes and comments of congratulations for the operation of the event, the food, location, and of course the trail and Depot. Teams that participated this year represented Enterprise Bank, Catholic Medical Center, Stonyfield and Grinnell Middle school of Derry. Our 2018 Race has been selected as one of the New Hampshire Grand Prix running events!
The popularity of the completed southern section is impressing on the need for safety measures at the Roulston Road crossing. One key improvement was the development of a parking lot at on Route 28 at the state owned (and currently leased to the Town) land formerly the Rodgers Service site. We will continue to work with the town on crossing improvements.
The WRTA presented serious safety issues at the Depot and Frost Rd Crossings to the BOS. There is a growing unimpeded speed issue of vehicles passing through this heavily used pedestrian and bicyclist crossing. After much discussion of remediation plan and future studies, it was determined and approved by the BOS to install speed bumps before and after the crossing. We expect installation in Spring 2018.
The status of our Capital Improvement Plan approved request to rebuild the 1800 Foot “Rainforest” section of the trail did not proceed as anticipated. Although the CIP Committee, recommended the $130K project in 2016, the Board of Selectmen determined not to fund at this time. That section presents serious degradation and safety issues that is affected by a high water table resulting of an insufficient drainage system. Looking to the future, as recommended by the BOS, we will present the request again in 2018.
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!
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance