Windham Rail Trail Alliance
2019 Town Report
December 31, 2019
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!
With the connections to our neighbors we continue to experience increasing numbers of usage. DOT counts held between June 28 and July 18 recorded 12,418 (daily average 621); users southbound from the Depot and 5,813 (daily average 291) northbound at North Lowell Rd. Important to note during this period we had some of the hottest days of the summer which we observed curtailed trail use.
Approximately 450 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 70 hours of work at the Windham Depot that included mowing, landscaping, lawn upkeep. 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 9, 337 runners and a large contingent of spectators enjoyed our 12th 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 Sam Fazioli of Salem with a fast time of 15:49, and for the women, setting a new course record was Sam’s fiancé Jaclyn Solimine of Haverhill clocking a time of 18:00. We look forward to the 2020 race scheduled for June 14.
We are also grateful for the tremendous partnership with the Windham Endowment for Community Advancement for their sponsorship role and volunteering efforts.
Addressing the continuing serious safety issues at the Depot Rd trail crossing, to augment the seasonal use of speed bumps, the BOS approved the installation automated flashing crossing signs both at the Depot and Roulston Rd. Continuous comments are received in support of the Town addressing safety concerns.
For addressing the rebuilding of the Rainforest section of the trail that will address infrastructure drainage and frost heave safety issues, we enter 2020 with initial approval by the BOS to fund through the CIP and bond the balance to fully fund the work in 2020. As this project has been recommended through the CIP and brought to the BOS for the last 4 years, we ask for support of the voting public to approve funding to address this serious need. This 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!
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Samsel, President, Windham Rail Trail Alliance
