The Nashua River Rail Trail, which connects the towns of Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, Dunstable , MA., and ends in Nashua, NH., marks 7 years of increasing usage this Oct. This paved trail, in excess of 12 miles, ranks among the most popular in the region.It is a popular destination point for bicyclist, pedestrians, in-line skaters, and others looking for an easy, relaxing way to get close to nature.In addition to the 10 foot wide paved surface, there is a five foot wide path for equestrians, running from Groton to the north.
Earlier this year the students from the Groton School finished a mural on the wall of the Peabody St. underpass.The mural depicts landmarks in the area and also shows various activities on the trail.
There are several scenic, and historic points of interest along the trail.These include apple orchards, ponds, wetlands, scenic vistas of the Nashua River, and even a cattle underpass.Recently the Friends of the Nashua River Rail Trail have been working on a project to make the historic granite mile markers more prominent.The Friends have been clearing brush, spreading wood chips, and hope to restore the original paint markings on the posts which noted the mileage from the Worcester train station.The Friends of theNashua River Rail Trail is a volunteer group that works to promote the usage, historic value, and maintenance of the trail.
The Nashua River Watershed Association continues to offer a slew of free, family-oriented programs such as guided hikes and canoe outings. The following are coming up in October, in southern New Hampshire, and there are a whole lot more just a bit further afield in Massachusetts (check their web site):
Nashua River Guided Paddle in Hollis, [...]
Some 200 members of the Dartmouth College Outing Club have organized an audacious attempt: together, they will strive to hike the entire Appalachian Trail in one day. That is, they will all hike at the same time, each on a different section of the trail, one person ending where the next began. They claim it’s [...]
The weather forecast doesn’t look too auspicious, but think how hardcore you will feel if you turn out for NEMBA Fest in the rain! Riding in the mud can be fun. Anyhow, as posted a long ways back, it takes place tomorrow (Sunday 10/4) at Bear Brook State Park.
New Hampshire park officials continue trying to sort out their mandate to give the state something (parks) for nothing (no money), the Concord Monitor reports today.
Wilton, NH, September 28, 2008 - Join a Society for the Protection of
New Hampshire Forests work party at the Heald Tract in Wilton, NH on
Saturday, October 17. Forest Society staff, land stewards, and other
volunteers will clear, reroute, and mark trails; build bog bridges; and
complete other trail maintenance tasks on this 400-plus-acre
reservation.
Donated to the Forest [...]
The Brookline and Milford Conservation Commissions are hoping to raise a little walking around money by staging a trail race. You can get more info on the race on this fellow’s running blog (good luck with the VT 50, whoever you are!). The Ghost Train Trail Race on Oct. 25 will be 15 miles, out [...]
Speaking as we were of water quality, a new study released Monday by the United States Geological Survey says that rivers across the United States are teeming with gender blended bass. One can’t help but wonder if there might be a link to increased occurances of amphibian deformities, such as two-headed and three-legged frogs?
The USGS press [...]
The Can-Am slalom races return to Antrim this coming weekend, check out the website for info, and check out the ‘07 Telegraph article on the growing history of one of southern New Hampshire’s premiere gravity sports events!
If you are in the habit of drinking water, you should care at least a bit about water quality, and I recommend a gander at the NY Times Toxic Waters series, which outlines how pollution violations have increased as the EPA and states have relaxed enforcement of the Clean Water Act. The NYT put together a searchable map, too, which suggests [...]
