The Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County (FNRT-MC) received the 2014 annual Achievement Award for outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds in the category of Accessibility Enhancement from the Coalition for Recreational Trails in Washington, DC on June 11. Charles Martin, author of New Hampshire Rail Trails and board member of FNRT-MC, accepted the award on behalf of the group.
This 10-year project of constructing a 34-mile four-season rail trail from the Grafton County border through Danbury, Wilmot, Andover, Franklin, and Boscawen entailed replacement of the old railroad bed ballast rock with a user-friendly crushed granite (hard pack) surface using nine years of RTP funding.
This award recognizes the national importance of the Northern Rail Trail as a four-season recreational rail trail that boasts outstanding scenery and interesting historical artifacts from its railway past. It connects with the Northern Rail Trail in Grafton County to form a 57-mile trail usable by walkers, bikers, horseback riders, and wheelchair users, as well as skiers and snowmobilers in winter.
In the future, it is hoped that the Granite State Rail Trail will connect the Northern Rail Trail with other trails on the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad corridor to form a 115-mile trail from Lebanon to the Massachusetts border at Salem.
Merrimack County’s entire Congressional delegation supported this nomination. Senator Jeanne Shaheen wrote, “The Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished with steady effort using Recreational Trails Program funding. The trail has become an exceptional recreational resource for four-season non-motorized travel and for snowmobiling in the winter months. The natural scenery and historical artifacts from the Northern Railroad’s heyday provide this path with innate beauty and reminders of the importance of this corridor to 19th century commerce.”
Senator Kelly Ayotte said, “Because of the countless volunteer hours, outdoor enthusiasts now have a smooth, wide trail to enjoy all year round. New Hampshire residents have a long tradition of giving back to their communities, and the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail are carrying on this great tradition.”
Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster added, “Because of the organization’s efforts to restore and maintain historical landmarks and replace the ballast rock with more recreation-friendly hardpack, the trail has become an instant hub for outdoor activity.”
Construction of the last two miles in south Boscawen will occur this summer using funding provided by RTP. Following this achievement, there will be a Finish Line Celebration event at Jamie Welch Park in Boscawen on Saturday, October 4.