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On Sep. 6,1852, two years after the railroad that will become our rail trail opened, Henry David Thoreau rode it on his way to Mount Monadnock. Watch a 5 minute video about what that trip was like for Thoreau based on his description in his journal.
Quicktime version of Riding the Squannacook River Rail Trail
In the fall of 2015, some members of Squannacook Greenways board of directors take you on a 5 minute tour of the as-yet unbuilt Squannacook River Rail Trail. See how pretty and useful this rail trail will be for the towns of Groton and Townsend.
Thanks also to the Townsend Library, who's free lynda.com access for Townsend residents was key to creating this short video.
Because of permitting delays, the construction of the Squannacook River Rail Trail will now take place during the four month window beginning in Nov 2019. But the good news is that this allows us to re-open our buy-a-brick fundraiser. Over 170 supporters have already purchased a brick to support construction of this stone-dust rail trail in Townsend and Groton, helping us raise over $130,000 of the $150,000 we need. To join them, just go to sqgw.org
When: November 12th (rain or shine) at 1:00 P.M.
Where: Walk starts at the parking lot for the Peter E. Bertozzi Squannacook Wildlife Management Area (703 Townsend Rd, Groton, MA)
Join the Nashua River Wild and Scenic River Study committee and Squannacook Greenways for a guided tour of some of the beautiful sections of the Squannacook River connected by the rail trail. This will be an out-and-back walk of about three miles, starting at the southeastern end of the planned rail trail, although participants can turn back at any point or extend the walk. Along the way, we will explore side trails to the riverfront and learn about the Wild & Scenic River project and progress on the Squannacook River Rail Trail. Please note that some of the terrain we will walk is hilly and uneven.
Meet at the Bertozzi parking lot. From Rt. 119 (near North Middlesex High School), take Townsend Road for approximately one mile. The Peter E. Bertozzi Squannacook Wildlife Management Area is on the right, marked by a brown sign. Use caution when entering the dirt lot. (Those using a navigation app such as Google Maps can find the parking lot at 703 Townsend Road, Groton MA. GPS users can navigate to 42.63658, -71.64987.)
Squannacook Greenways is pleased to announce that in June of 2017 we received a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. With this grant, the construction fundraising is now at $106 thousand dollars, well past the 2/3 of our $150,000 goal. Thanks to this generous grant, we are preparing to finally enter the construction phase of this project.
This is not the first time the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, which serves 33 communities in our area, has played a critical role in the success of the Squannacook River Rail Trail. In 2013, they gave Squannacook Greenways a grant that played a key role in convincing the MBTA to allow a non-profit to lease an unused MBTA rail bed for the first time ever. We at Squannacook Greenways want to express our deepest appreciation to this great organization that does so much to make all our lives better in north central Massachusetts.
Watch the above video to learn about the upcoming free Family Day on the Squannacook River Rail Trail on Saturday June 3, 2021 (rain date Sunday).
Watch the above video to learn about three events we have planned for early 2017. On April 29th from 9-11:30 am we will be holding a clean-up day on the rail trail. Our buy a brick sale has been extended to May 6th. And finally, we have a day for families on the rail trail planned for June 3rd. Mark your calendars!
If you use Amazon, please watch this 1 minute quicktime video of how to use smile.amazon.com to help pay for building the Squannacook River Rail without it costing you anything.
Explore history while walking the path of the future stone dust Squannacook River Rail Trail in Groton and Townsend. We will walk one way along the full length of the 3.7 mile rail bed, stopping at the halfway point for a tour of the Townsend Historical Society's Reed Homestead.
Watch a 2 minute quicktime video describing plans for the Nov. 5th walk.
Park at the town parking lot at the intersection of Riverbank Terrace and Jefts Street in Townsend near the trestle. From there we will arrange a shuttle to the other end of the rail trail for our one way walk. A volunteer will also be available to pick up anyone who does not wish to complete the full walk. This walk is part of the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area's Connecting Communities Along Our Trails series, and is jointly sponsored by Squannacook Greenways and the Townsend Historical Society.
Video in support of the May 2006 rail trail ballot question in Townsend by Sebring/Wotkowicz (www.sebringdesign.com) - 18 minutes
Windows version (wmv) - 43 MB
Quicktime version (mp4) - 81 MB (May take a few minutes to load, depending on your bandwidth)
Also the short promo video as Windows wmv or Quicktime mp4.
Credits
Camera - Sylvia Morrison
Edit - Ellen Sebring
Music - Richard Sebring
Special thanks to:
Steve Meehan, Paul Sebring, Joan Wotkowicz, Ryan Andrews, Sue Gerken, Ken Gerken, Bob Plamondon, Peter Cunningham, and Rebecca, Ben, Emily, Rachel and Daniel King
Video of Fay Spofford & Thorndike's presentation at the June 12, 2021 public meeting - 38 minutes
Windows version (wmv) - 97 MB
Quicktime version (mp4) - 99 MB (May take a few minutes to load, depending on your bandwidth)