Thanks to everyone who came out to help us get ready for rail construction phase 4! We had over 40 volunteers of all ages to help install wattles to protect the wetlands near our rail trail. A special thanks to Scout Troop 13 from Pepperell for all their great help. Let the last phase of construction begin!
We all at Squannacook Greenways were heartbroken at the loss of our long time president and close friend Steve Meehan. Without Steve's intelligence, charm, determination and humor, this rail trail would have faded long ago, instead of rapidly approaching construction. Every time we walk or ride this rail trail for years to come, Steve will be with us in our hearts. And check out our page of pictures of Steve that also lists those who donated to our cause in his memory.
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After more than a decade of work by our board and dedicated volunteers, construction of the Squannacook River Rail Trail is now nearing the final phase. Here's a brief overview of what has happened so far, and what our plans are for completion.
Year (Nov-Mar)/Phase | Location | Description |
---|---|---|
2019 | Entire 3.7 mile rail trail | Bill King cleared the entire 20 foot corridor of trees; Max13 installed a fence behind Sterilite |
2020/Phase 1 | Entire 3.7 mile rail trail Depot St. to Old Meetinghouse (Townsend) |
Keystone removed the steel rails from the entire rail trail. Shepherd's did a great job completing the first 1.1 miles of the stone dust rail trail |
2021/Phase 2 | Old Meetinghouse to Harbor Church (Townsend) | Thanks to Senators Cronin and Kennedy, and Representative Harrington, money was available for construction. Shepherds, the contractor who did such a great job on the first section, also built this section. Completed in April 2022. |
2022/Phase 3 | Northern Crosswinds to Bertozzi (Groton) | Groton town meeting in May 2021 approved Community Preservation Act funding for the 20% matching funds for construction of this section. We won a MassTrails grant for $96,000 in July 2022. Shepherds started construction in Nov 2022, and completed it in late April 2023. |
2023?/Phase 4 | South St (Townsend) to Northern Crosswinds (Groton) | Senator Cronin and state legislature earmarked $50,000 for phase 4 in Aug 2022, Groton passed $90,000 in Community Preservation Act funding, and we won a $150,000 MassTrails grant in June 2023, so all funding is in place for this final section. Construction will start in Nov. 2023, and this final section will be done in April 2024. |
In a word, you! The Squannacook River Rail Trail is being built by a local non-profit, Squannacook Greenways, with money from grants and donations only. The trail will be maintained by local volunteers.
During the pandemic, Board of Directors meetings of the non-profit Squannacook Greenways are being held on-line.
Contact us at info@sqgw.org