National Trails Day Celebration on the Northern Rail Trail

June 1 event draws people from afar to enjoy the Rail Trail

June 17, 2013 • Saved under Outdoors
By Lindy Heim, FNRT
National Rail Trail Day, 2013. Ken Leonard from Massachusetts, Steve Darling, Steve Rayno, Bob Ward, Gisela Darling, and Joyce and Ellsworth Morton pause during their ride from Boscawen to Franklin and back for a photo in front of the new informational kiosk that Ellsworth Morton constructed. It will feature rail trail information, maps, and rack cards for trail users. Photo: Lindy Heim
National Rail Trail Day, 2013. Ken Leonard from Massachusetts, Steve Darling, Steve Rayno, Bob Ward, Gisela Darling, and Joyce and Ellsworth Morton pause during their ride from Boscawen to Franklin and back for a photo in front of the new informational kiosk that Ellsworth Morton constructed. It will feature rail trail information, maps, and rack cards for trail users. Photo: Lindy Heim

A nice group of rail trail fans celebrated National Trails Day on June 1 by riding or walking from the old Gerrish Station trailhead in Boscawen to Holy Cross Road at Webster Place in Franklin and back. It was a lovely morning, and the views of the Merrimack River and adjoining farm fields were magnificent.

While riding or walking along, everyone admired the restored mile posts and new Franklin/Boscawen town line marker for which volunteer Ed Hiller is responsible. Also it was learned that large numbers of discarded tires, TVs, and other debris had to be removed from one area of the rail trail by Friends of the Northern Rail Trail (FNRT) board member Steve Rayno. With the help of prison workers and the town of Franklin, Steve patrols the Franklin section of rail trail with gusto. Don’t even think of throwing anything on Steve’s rail trail!

Two other riding groups were seen heading out on the rail trail that morning: a mom and two kids from Henniker getting ready to ride to Webster Lake, and a couple of friends, Ken and Bunny of Litchfield and Bedford, respectively, who had a longer ride in mind, with a possible stop at Naughty Nellie’s for lunch and/or ice cream.

Locals as well as folks from some distance away are coming out to enjoy this fabulous four-season recreational trail we are lucky enough to have in our own backyard. Altogether, the occasion was well celebrated.