We improve, maintain, and promote the Northern Rail Trail as a four-season multi-use trail through Merrimack County. About 10 miles of the Trail go through our Town connecting West Andover, Potter Place, Andover Center, and East Andover.

Activities supporting the Trail were significant and varied. Last spring, R.P. Johnson and Son repaired the information kiosk and built a bike rack at Potter Place. For Andover’s July Fourth, Tom Frantz organized the Firecracker 5K foot race on the Trail and Peter Southworth organized a raffle. S&W Sports of Concord and the Highland Lake Inn of East Andover contributed prizes with additional support from Jake’s Market and Pizza Chef. Steve Rayno organized a bike raffle at the White Water Festival in Franklin in January.

With a $30,000 grant from the State and equipment donated by Ben and Peter Crowell of New London, in November we added more than three miles of trail to reach Gerrish Depot next to Route 3 in Boscawen. Chris Norris supervised the construction, and Nita Tomaszewski of Franklin was project administrator.

The Trail needs financial support and help throughout the year. Donations may be made at fnrt.org. For further information, call President Bob Ward at 735-5061 or Vice-President Alex Bernhard at 735-5071.