Lace Up and Join the Rail Trail 5K Run and Walk on May 16, 2026 !!!

Get ready for a fun-filled morning of fitness, community, and celebration at the Rail Trail 5K! Scheduled for 9:00 AM on May 16th, this exciting event promises to be a memorable experience for all participants. 

Proceeds will benefit the SNETT trail enhancements and expansion, as well as local food banks. Parking will be available at Waters Corporation (210 Grove Street, Franklin), making it convenient and accessible for everyone to join in the festivities.

The Rail Trail 5K is a unique race that starts and finishes at the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) Grove St Trailhead, and takes participants on a picturesque journey along the scenic rail trail, showcasing the natural beauty of the area. 

Whether you're an experienced runner or a walker, this event welcomes all fitness levels and ages, making it a perfect opportunity for families, friends, and community members to come together in a healthy and enjoyable way.

But the fun doesn't stop at the finish line! After the race, all participants are invited to participate in an exciting raffle for a chance to win some amazing prizes, as well as meet some local vendors.

Lace Up and Join the Rail Trail 5K Run
and Walk on May 16, 2026 !!!

"We're thrilled to host the Rail Trail 5K with our partners Tri Valley Front Runners (TVFR), and bring our community together for a morning of fitness and fun," said the race organizers. "It's a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the rail trail, connect with fellow runners, and celebrate our shared love for an active lifestyle. We look forward to seeing everyone at the start line!"

Registration for the Rail Trail 5K is now open, and the first 150 participants who sign up are guaranteed a race shirt. To register and learn more about the race, please visit the event website at https://www.tri-valleyfrontrunners.com/fbrtc/FBRTC5K.php

Those interested in becoming a sponsor can contact the FBRTC at fbrtcommittee@gmail.com.

Join us on May 16th at 9:00 AM for the Rail Trail 5K and make memories that will last a lifetime!

FBRTC March Monthly Meeting - March 10 at Lops Brewing

Meeting Tuesday night at Lops Brewing - NEW VENUE!!!

View this email in your browser January Monthly Meeting Hello!   Tuesday night we will have our monthly meeting at a brand new venue Lops Brewing, 122 N Main St, Woonsocket RI at 7pm. We'd love to see you there! Beer will be served! We'll be discussing the 5k and other upcoming events, plus a new opportunity with the Rail Trails Conservancy for a historical marker at Wadsworth Farm  The minutes from our previous meeting can be found here on our web site. The agenda for this month's meeting is here.   Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Copyright © 2026 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

Register today for the FBRTC 5k

View this email in your browser FBRTC 5k registration is now open! Hello!   On Saturday, May 16th, we will be running the 15th annual Rail Trail 5k with our partners at Tri-Valley Front Runners. Register today for the 5k on the TVFR web site. Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Copyright © 2026 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

Rail Trail Committee Decides to meet over some Ales - March 10

Rail Trail Committee Decides to meet over some Ales - March 10

***NEW LOCATION***

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, March 10th at Lops Brewing, located at 122 North Main Street, Woonsocket at 7pm. We'd love to see you there!

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVeAMc_DdH7/

More info about the Rail Trail Committee - 

https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Save the Date: April 25 is Celebrate Trails Day!

April 25 is Celebrate Trails Day!

Save the Date: April 25 is Celebrate Trails Day!  

The Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) will be hosting a walking tour on the SNETT Trail to highlight some of the history surrounding the the rail trail, and also discussing some of the changes coming in the future.

Details can be found on our web site using the link https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/2026/03/03/celebrate-trails-day-april-25th-2026/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 ???

Tuesday, January 13

4:00pm FYHA fund raising (McDonald's)

7:00pm FBRTC Rail Trail Cmte Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)

Library &  Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 5:30 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2074 

Franklin School Committee -Policy Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2087 

Franklin School Committee

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 7:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01132026-2086 

Friends of the Franklin Public Library Meeting

Tuesday, January 13 Time: 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM

No agenda available at this time

-----------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

FBRTC: January Monthly Meeting Tuesday, Jan 13 at 7 PM

Meeting Tuesday night at Franklin.TV. We'd love to see you there

View this email in your browser January Monthly Meeting Hello!   Tuesday night we will have our monthly meeting at Franklin.TV, 23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin at 7 PM.  We'd love to see you there! Along with conducting normal business, the committee will also be holding officer elections. The minutes from our previous meeting can be found here on our web site. The agenda for this month's meeting is here.   Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Copyright © 2026 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

Officials Celebrate SNETT Trail Extension

A cold morning in mid-November, State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) was joined by Congressman Jake Auchincloss, local Franklin town officials and members of the SNETT Rail Trail Committee to celebrate the acquisition of rail line from Grove Street to Union Street.

Congressman Jake Auchincloss, left, gets a
tour of the site on Union Street in Franklin
of the extension of the SNETT Trail

“This is a tremendous win for the community and will truly boost the crossing neighborhood in Franklin,” said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). “The extension of the rail trail will give families and individuals the opportunity to walk, bike and run through Franklin and beyond. I want to thank Congressman Auchincloss, Franklin officials and the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee for their persistence and commitment to Franklin’s resources and continuing to offer recreational and economic development options to the community.”

Representative Roy worked with Congressman Auchincloss to get CSX, a freight train company, and Franklin officials to provide a pathway for the town to acquire the rail line to turn it into an extension of the rail trail. That would connect the current trailhead on Grove Street to Union Street and extend the line across town. This extension makes the Southern New England Trunkline Trail an 80-mile recreation trail extending from Franklin to Connecticut.

"I am proud to be a part of the team to bring this vision to fruition" said Jamie Hellen, Franklin Town Administrator. "This acquisition will be the cornerstone of a revitalized Franklin Crossing Neighborhood and will provide an incredible opportunity for recreational enthusiasts, including bikers, hikers, walkers and many others to be able to access this 80 mile SNETT trail that will extend all the way to Connecticut. I want to thank Congressman Auchincloss, Rep Roy, the former Town Council for the support in acquisition and the Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Committee for their steadfast advocacy. This is a true partnership for the greater good of all residents!"

The rail trail extension is game changing in making Downtown Franklin a compelling destination both for locals and people from further afield.  Franklin will be the ideal starting point for a family walk or bike ride combined with a visit to local businesses,” said Paul Stamp, Vice President of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee.

Massachusetts contributed $700,000 towards the purchase of the line and has committed and addition $1 million to prepare the trail for use. 

A group photo with Congressman Auchincloss,
Representative Jeffrey Roy, Franklin
town officials and members of the
Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

“This Rail Trail extension is a game-changer for Franklin—creating a welcoming trailhead and bringing new visitors into our downtown,” said Cobi Frongillo, Past President of the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee and former Franklin Town Councilor.  “Our community has pushed for this connection for years, and it’s finally moving forward thanks to the persistence of town leaders and the leadership of Representative Roy and Congressman Auchincloss.”

You can follow the Rail Trail Committee page for updates ->   https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/