In a nutshell, the plan is to have the non-profit Squannacook Greenways build the rail trail. The proposal is to have the Department of Conservation and Recreation sign the MBTA lease, but then sign a memorandum of agreement with Squannacook Greenways, giving us complete responsible for building and maintaining the rail trail. It's a great example of a public/private partnership allowing this trail to be built in an extremely cost effective manner. And best of all, in May of 2012, Squannacook Greenways and DCR Commissioner Lambert reached a conditional verbal agreement to proceed with this project. | Squannacook
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Squannacook Greenways was formed in September 2011 with the following mission statement:
Squannacook Greenways is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and to build, maintain, and promote the Squannacook River Rail Trail as a source of recreation and safe non-motorized transportation. Squannacook Greenways will also work to integrate the Squannacook River Rail Trail with other facilities, such as trails and sidewalks, to encourage the use of human-powered transportation and improve access to our town’s natural areas. The formation of this non-profit to build the Squannacook River Rail Trail was a plan endorsed by the official rail trail study committees in both Groton and Townsend. |
Squannacook Greenways Board of Directors. Front row left to right: Joan Wotkowicz, Steve Meehan, Bruce Easom, Robert Hargraves. Rear: Alfred Gadway, Bill Rideout, Peter Cunningham, Pete Carson, Mark Cram. Not pictured: Ray Jackson, Rollin Willis |
We are modelling our trail on the stone dust Mass Central Rail Trail built by Wachusett Greenways. Look up www.wachusettgreenways.org, download the map, and give it a try. We think you'll agree that a non-profit can build a terrific stonedust rail trail.