Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2021 Town Report
December 31, 2021
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 3 sections offer 12 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
For 2021, COVID continued to provide a challenge requiring us to cancel our Flat n Fast 5K again this year. As always, we were happy to serve as a continuing recreational outlet for many during this difficult period and experienced high user counts. The trail was also host to a “Couch to 5K” training series run by the Greater Derry Track Club and is also a destination for the Northeast Passage therapeutic recreation program.
We were also pleased to receive a Manchester based Hippo press “Best of 2021” Award for the Trail.
With the Derry Rail Trail Alliance, we co-hosted the Millennium Running “Cheap Marathon” held in April. This race is so named as the registration fee is by distance run (26 or 13 miles) and considered a popular marathon season tune up. By co-hosting the race, the WRTA received a donation for our efforts. As a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, 109 runners met the qualification time for the Boston. For the event, Chief McPherson and his team lead the Safety Command center at the Windham Depot, showcasing equipment and capabilities. The race will run again in April 2022.
Approximately 375 hours were spent on maintenance by the WRTA and trail volunteers on brush cutting, trash removal, and the clearing the trail and drainage lines of leaves. Included are over 50 hours of work at the Windham Depot that included mowing, landscaping, and lawn upkeep. The WRTA always thanks those who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean, and always welcomes volunteers and sponsors, who may contact us through our website or phone contact.
We are planning to pick up our 13th Annual Flat n Fast Race in June as our major fundraiser and welcome sponsors and volunteers for this major event. With a planned rebuild of the bridge crossing over Dinsmoor Road, fundraising remains a key aspect of our operations.
The Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from Windham residents and many users from surrounding Communities. The formal usage counts demonstrate the popularity, recognition, and need of the recreational opportunity that the Windham Rail Trail provides 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!
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2021 Town Report
December 31, 2021
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 3 sections offer 12 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire!
For 2021, COVID continued to provide a challenge requiring us to cancel our Flat n Fast 5K again this year. As always, we were happy to serve as a continuing recreational outlet for many during this difficult period and experienced high user counts. The trail was also host to a “Couch to 5K” training series run by the Greater Derry Track Club and is also a destination for the Northeast Passage therapeutic recreation program.
We were also pleased to receive a Manchester based Hippo press “Best of 2021” Award for the Trail.
With the Derry Rail Trail Alliance, we co-hosted the Millennium Running “Cheap Marathon” held in April. This race is so named as the registration fee is by distance run (26 or 13 miles) and considered a popular marathon season tune up. By co-hosting the race, the WRTA received a donation for our efforts. As a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, 109 runners met the qualification time for the Boston. For the event, Chief McPherson and his team lead the Safety Command center at the Windham Depot, showcasing equipment and capabilities. The race will run again in April 2022.
Approximately 375 hours were spent on maintenance by the WRTA and trail volunteers on brush cutting, trash removal, and the clearing the trail and drainage lines of leaves. Included are over 50 hours of work at the Windham Depot that included mowing, landscaping, and lawn upkeep. The WRTA always thanks those who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean, and always welcomes volunteers and sponsors, who may contact us through our website or phone contact.
We are planning to pick up our 13th Annual Flat n Fast Race in June as our major fundraiser and welcome sponsors and volunteers for this major event. With a planned rebuild of the bridge crossing over Dinsmoor Road, fundraising remains a key aspect of our operations.
The Windham Rail Trail Alliance is thankful for the support from town officials and accolades from Windham residents and many users from surrounding Communities. The formal usage counts demonstrate the popularity, recognition, and need of the recreational opportunity that the Windham Rail Trail provides 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!
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance
