Windham Rail Trail Alliance

    

              

2013 Annual Report

 

December 31, 2013

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.

Now connected with Derry, the 2 trails offer 8 miles of paved trail, the longest stretch along an abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire! The WRTA holds leadership positions on the New Hampshire DOT Bike/Ped Technical Advisory Committee as well New Hampshire Rail Trail Coalition and NH Bikewalk Alliance.

Approximately 375 hours were spent on maintenance by the WRTA and several trail supporters on brush cutting, trash removal, cutting downed trees, and the critical chore of clearing the trail and drainage lines of leaves. Our general trail clean-up day was in May, which we will repeat in 2014. We also recognize and thank those users who contribute in their own way, picking up and keeping the trail clean.

The remaining development of the final half mile is positioned to start in spring of 2014. The WRTA received a generous donation from an anonymous donor through the NH Charitable Foundation that will allow us to complete the first portion from Roulston Road to the 111 bridge without the use of Transportation Grant funds, thus reducing the cost of the work. The remaining quarter mile at this time will require T/E funds which the town will need to match 20%. Preliminary engineering started in December which will provide the funding estimate to bring the match to a Town Warrant article.

 A fine June 9th morning welcomed 318 runners for the 6th annual WRTA Flat n Fast certified USATF 5K, for this ever-popular race! The overall and men's winner and new course record holder was Sal Fazioli (21) of Salem with a time of 16:38. Hannah Parker (15), a well-established regional runner of Nottingham led the Women with a time of 19:48.

The 1st Annual Convenient MD 10K was held on Sunday September 29 with 150 registrants from Windham and many surrounding communities traveling far and wide to participate in the race. The overall and men's winner at 36:40 was Wolfgang Ketterle of Belmont Mass. establishing the course record. Christie Cannone of Windham led the women at 43:52. Each received a medal and $100 cash prize.

 

We were notified in December that the 2014 Convenient MD 10K was chosen as one of 7 races as part of the NH Grand Prix racing circuit, an exceptional recognition of effort for the races held on the trail. We thank our major sponsor, Convenient MD who was the major motivator in recommending and offering to sponsor the race.

 

Proceeds from the races help to support maintenance of this valued trail as well going towards development of the push to complete the final half mile south of Roulston Rd. A big thanks go to our Race Director Steve Tomasi, and the Windham Independent for their continued support.

 

The trail was also host to 2 Couch to 5K training series run by Michael Garraty of the Greater Derry Track Club, and will plan for a repeat in 2014.

 

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!

 

Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance

Copyright © 2014 Windham Rail Trail Alliance