Squannacook Greenways

Our 2018-2019 buy-a-brick fundraiser is open until March 31,2019!

With our 2018-2019 brick fundraiser, you can help complete the Squannacook River Rail Trail’s capital campaign before construction begins on Nov. 7, 2019. Our total construction budget of $150,000 includes no town or state money – grants and fundraising alone are being used to build this trail. Thanks to our previous 2016 brick sale, grants, and other generous donations, we have raised over $130,000, and so our final goal is less than $20,000 away. You can help us cross that finish line!

For each brick you purchase at $150, the profit to Squannacook Greenways of $132 will pay for 17 feet of rail trail construction. These bricks will be placed at the base of the informational kiosks to be placed in the parking areas in Groton and Townsend, similar to the artist’s conception picture above. In addition, for your donation, you will receive a one year membership in Squannacook Greenways, starting on the day the trail opens. Use the form below to order your brick on-line, and enter your own inscription. You can also choose in which town your brick will be placed – Groton or Townsend. The total cost of the brick is tax-deductible, since Squannacook Greenways is a 501c3.

Buy a brick online Buy a brick by check

Thanks to the over 170 supporters who have already purchased a brick! See all the bricks sold so far here.

Last updated Mar. 14, 2019

Not looking to buy a brick, but still want to donate? Donate securely using PayPal

To donate by check, mail your check made out to Squannacook Greenways to:

Squannacook Greenways
88 South Harbor Road
Townsend, MA 01469

Squannacook Greenways Granite Bench donors

Squannacook Greenways is honoring donors who have pledged $5000 or more with their names on granite benches to be placed along the Squannacook River Rail Trail. Please thank our granite bench donors when you see them!

In memory of Faith Wilkinson
In memory of Terrence McNabb
Bill and Deb Reeves
Sebring Mechanical
Joan Wotkowicz
Bill and Cheryl Rideout

Contact Bill Rideout if you are interested in discussing being a granite bench donor.

Squannacook Greenways Granite Pillar donors

Squannacook Greenways is honoring donors who have pledged $1000 or more with their names on a granite pillar to be placed along the Squannacook River Rail Trail. Please thank our granite pillar donors when you see them!

John and Mary Barrett
Ken and Sue Gerken
Bill Wilkinson
Hirk and Louise Fortin
Evans on the Common
Jeff and Beth Dominick
Brian and Heather Kyte
Steve Meehan
Bruce Easom
Peter and Jean Cunningham
Sharon Gage
The Shambergers
Edward Tokarski
Arrow Septic - Mike Whittemore
Workers Credit Union
The Catalano Companies - Dunkin' Donuts
North End Subaru Mazda
Nashoba Paddler
Deluxe Corporation
Rollstone Bank and Trust
Townsend Center Realty
Bailey’s Bar & Grille
Squanicook Associates Real Estate

Contact Bill Rideout if you are interested in discussing being a granite pillar donor. Pledges can be made on a recurring basis, such as $50/month for 20 months.

Squannacook Greenways Grants Awarded

Finally, Squannacook Greenways wants to sincerely thank those agencies who have awarded us grants. Without their help, this rail trail would never have been possible!

In June of 2017 we received a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. This critical grant pushed the construction fundraising to $106 thousand dollars, well past the 2/3 of our $150,000 goal. In addition, in2013, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts awarded an $18,000 grant to Squannacook Greenways that played a key role in Squannacook Greenways being the first non-profit ever to sign the MBTA lease.

We have received two $10,000 grants from the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation, one in July 2016 and a second in July 2017, for a total of $20,000 grant to help pay for construction. Informed by intelligence, sensitivity, and the knowledge of many countries and cultures, Bruce J. Anderson was a serious and idealistic young man who cared deeply about the problems he saw around him. The Bruce J. Anderson Foundation was established in 1980 by Bruce's brothers and sisters to honor Bruce and support the causes he championed. The Bruce J. Anderson Foundation is a supporting organization of the Boston Foundation. Squannacook Greenways, with its goal of making life better and more active for all residents, but especially younger ones, is proud to have been chosen to receive these grants.

Squannacook Greenways was awarded a $6,100 grant from the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Program in August 2016. This grant will help cover cost associated with engineering and permitting, and includes money for public signs teaching about turtle conservation. In 2007, the Department of Conservation and Recreation awarded an $20,000 grant to to pay for Townsend's portion of a preliminary environmental and engineering study by a professional engineering firm.

In 2008, the New England Grassroots Environment Fund awarded the rail trail advocates a grant of $1,000. The funds from this grant were used to pay for an informational mailing to Townsend households about the public meeting held by Fay Spofford & Thorndike (FST).

Other business donors

Thanks to other businesses who have also donated to Squannacook Greenways!

Middlesex Savings Bank
Hannaford Bags 4 My Cause
Amazon Smile

Buy-a-brick sale open again until March 2019!

Thanks to the over 170 supporters who have already purchased a brick! See all the bricks sold so far here.