Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2020 Town Report
December 31, 2020
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 10 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
Approximately 480 hours were spent on maintenance by the WRTA and trail volunteers on brush cutting, trash removal, cutting downed trees, and the 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. The WRTA also thanks those who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean, and always looking for volunteers and sponsors, who may contact us through our website.
On Sunday June 10, 429 runners and a large contingent of spectators participated at our 11th Annual Flat n Fast Race. The event was also included on the NH Grand Prix Club circuit which hosted many club runners from New Hampshire and surrounding states. Overall winner was Carl Hartford of Wilmington, Mass with a fast time of 15:47 setting a new course record, and for the women, Mary Klene of Manchester broke her own women’s course record at 18:40. We are also grateful for the tremendous partnership with the Windham Endowment for Community Advancement for their sponsorship role and volunteering efforts.
On September 29, we hosted the first annual Fall Foliage 5K sponsored by the Windham Endowment for Community Advancement. Winners and establishing race records were Matt Vasil of Litchfield (19:23.9) and Sue George of Harvard, Mass (20:55.9). We look to the 2nd annual race in 2019!
Addressing serious safety issues at the Depot Rd trail crossing, the BOS approved the seasonal installation of speed bumps. This was determined the best and most meaningful approach to remediate the growing concern of unimpeded speed issues of vehicles passing through this heavily used pedestrian and bicyclist section. Comments received were of tremendous support as the speed bumps did the job.
Windham and Salem combined to develop a parking lot on Route 28 at the state owned (and currently leased to the Town) land formerly the Rodgers Service site. In addition to additional parking, this improves safety measures at the Roulston Road crossing.
In November we presented our funding request through the Capital Improvement Plan to rebuild the 1,800 Foot “Rainforest” section of the trail. The CIP Committee recommended the $170K project and the Selectman approved a multi-year funding approach recommending $50K to go before the Town in March. That section presents serious degradation and safety issues that is affected by a high water table resulting of an insufficient drainage system
The Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from our users. The formal usage counts demonstrate the popularity and recognition of the Windham Rail Trail as the most renowned paved rail trail in the state! Windham should take pride in that the success of the Trail has spread to the region, and along with the connected Salem and Derry sections puts us on the national scene. We remain the exclamation point for rail trail recreation in Windham and New Hampshire!
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2020 Town Report
December 31, 2020
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 10 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
Approximately 480 hours were spent on maintenance by the WRTA and trail volunteers on brush cutting, trash removal, cutting downed trees, and the 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. The WRTA also thanks those who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean, and always looking for volunteers and sponsors, who may contact us through our website.
On Sunday June 10, 429 runners and a large contingent of spectators participated at our 11th Annual Flat n Fast Race. The event was also included on the NH Grand Prix Club circuit which hosted many club runners from New Hampshire and surrounding states. Overall winner was Carl Hartford of Wilmington, Mass with a fast time of 15:47 setting a new course record, and for the women, Mary Klene of Manchester broke her own women’s course record at 18:40. We are also grateful for the tremendous partnership with the Windham Endowment for Community Advancement for their sponsorship role and volunteering efforts.
On September 29, we hosted the first annual Fall Foliage 5K sponsored by the Windham Endowment for Community Advancement. Winners and establishing race records were Matt Vasil of Litchfield (19:23.9) and Sue George of Harvard, Mass (20:55.9). We look to the 2nd annual race in 2019!
Addressing serious safety issues at the Depot Rd trail crossing, the BOS approved the seasonal installation of speed bumps. This was determined the best and most meaningful approach to remediate the growing concern of unimpeded speed issues of vehicles passing through this heavily used pedestrian and bicyclist section. Comments received were of tremendous support as the speed bumps did the job.
Windham and Salem combined to develop a parking lot on Route 28 at the state owned (and currently leased to the Town) land formerly the Rodgers Service site. In addition to additional parking, this improves safety measures at the Roulston Road crossing.
In November we presented our funding request through the Capital Improvement Plan to rebuild the 1,800 Foot “Rainforest” section of the trail. The CIP Committee recommended the $170K project and the Selectman approved a multi-year funding approach recommending $50K to go before the Town in March. That section presents serious degradation and safety issues that is affected by a high water table resulting of an insufficient drainage system
The Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from our users. The formal usage counts demonstrate the popularity and recognition of the Windham Rail Trail as the most renowned paved rail trail in the state! Windham should take pride in that the success of the Trail has spread to the region, and along with the connected Salem and Derry sections puts us on the national scene. We remain the exclamation point for rail trail recreation in Windham and New Hampshire!
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance
