Showing posts with label snett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snett. Show all posts

Monday, November 2, 2020

“It offers outdoor recreation and healthy exercise"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:  

"For years, a steep hill along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail in Franklin severed the path, leading hikers and bikers to climb the hurdle and cross private property to get back on.

Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin said he knew he’d get funding to fix that in 2016.

Roy, an avid cyclist and veteran rider in the annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, took Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton for a bike ride on the path one day to show him first-hand what residents were dealing with.

Before reaching the hill, located on Prospect Street, Roy told Beaton that he was going to walk up it with his bike. Beaton said he’d ride up it."

MA DCR SNETT Link  https://www.mass.gov/locations/southern-new-england-trunkline-trail

Rail Trail Committee page  https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/


And from a recent walk n October, actually the day the new tree identification signs were posted
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QqxR9VQA3VxhTbz48

autumn screen from a break in the treeline along the trail in Bellingham
autumn screen from a break in the treeline along the trail in Bellingham



Sunday, November 1, 2020

The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee - marks the tunnel opening

The journey to upgrade the abandoned railroad path in Franklin & Bellingham began in December of 2008 when a representative of the Franklin Odd Fellows sat in on a meeting of the Grand Trunk Trailblazers in Thompson, CT and offered to be Franklin’s representative as the most easterly of (6) towns making up the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) from Franklin to the Connecticut border. 

The towns from East to West are Franklin, Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge, Douglas.  The grassroots committee that was formed in January of 2009 was called the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee, but that was later changed to the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) when Bellingham members joined the committee and we saw a need to expand.  

By December of 2009, the rail trail committee had secured an Opinion of Probable Cost from Pare Engineering in Lincoln, RI to improve the overgrown railroad right of way into a multipurpose walking and biking trail with a tunnel at the Prospect St. crossing.   For the next 11 years the committee advocated, fundraised and continually worked to obtain grants and petitioned our state government for funds to improve the SNETT.  

Both towns of Franklin & Bellingham have been active participants in the process adding parking lots and signage at road crossings.   The town of Bellingham made a significant contribution by burying a town waterline on the path and getting a significant portion of the Bellingham section completed to a finished grade.  The high point of the committee’s effort has been the funding and construction of the tunnel at Prospect St.  

State Rep. Jeff Roy and State Senators Karen Spilka and Richard Ross signed on to an initial Bond Bill that included the necessary funding for the trail and tunnel.  State Rep. Mike Soter of Bellingham, the Bellingham Planning Committee and Franklin Town Administrators Jeff Nutting and Jamie Hellen of Franklin have also been active participants.  

The committee is also grateful for the thousands of runners who have supported our 9 years of fundraiser road races and the numerous corporate donors who gave us much needed annual financial support and for the Town of Franklin for allowing us to use the Remington School for our Road Race site.  

The committee is also very grateful for all of the advice, support and “boots on the ground” manpower that we received over the years from the Department of Conservation (DCR) and we certainly understand that whatever success we’ve had as a grassroots committee would not have been possible without their full cooperation and support.

**  Written by Dave Labonte, original member of the FBRTC. 

For more about the FBRTC    https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

In @TOFranklinMA The new SNETT tunnel was celebrated on Friday. @KarenSpilka @jeffroy @BeccaRauschMA   @Gannett       Look for upcoming  @laurenwhy_ @milforddaily story.  
 
Photo gallery here: https://t.co/f8i5BWGgOZ  
Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/fZnxTQEVLE


Additional photos from Rep Jeff Roy on Facebook


photo from Rep Jeff Roy on Facebook
photo from Rep Jeff Roy on Facebook

 

Sunday, October 11, 2020

FBRTC News: Grove Street Parking Lot Closure - Oct 13-16


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FBRTC News
Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
PARKING ALERT!!
Grove Street Parking Lot Closure - Oct 13-16
No SNETT parking at Grove Street
If you are planning to visit the SNETT in Franklin from 10/13-10/16 be advised, you will not be able to park at the Grove Street trailhead. For more information and alternative parking please visit our website.
Copyright © 2020 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
PO Box 68
Franklin, Ma 02038
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Wednesday, October 7, 2020

#SNETTPhoto2020 – Photo Contest

Fall photo contest featuring the SNETT Rail Trail! Here is what you need to know.

DETAILS AND RULES

    Who should enter

Anyone, any age. Exceptions: FBRTC Executive Board Members and members of the FBRTC Judging Panel.

    Categories

Under 18, Over 18.

    What to enter


Any photos taken on the SNETT (Southern New England Trunkline Trail) of nature, landscapes, people on the trail.

Note: A signed release from any recognizable people in your images is required, and you must be able to provide copies of those releases to the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee upon request.

    How to enter

    Take a photo on the SNETT rail trail and post on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter only) with a hashtag #SNETTPhoto2020
    Then email the photo (including the photo caption and photo location), your name, and category (Under 18, Over 18) to fbrtcommittee@gmail.com. Photos should be jpg/jpeg files no larger than 10MB (no screen shots). One photo per contestant.

    When to enter

Contest runs October 1 – October 31, 2020

    Judging

Top 4 finalists from each category will be selected by a panel of the FBRTC volunteer members. All decisions made by the judges are final. The 8 winning photographs will be published in The Country Gazette (Photographer’s Portfolio page).

    Rights

By entering this photo contest, you hereby grant to the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC):

 -   Non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable publication rights for your photos in all FBRTC’s publicity materials (print or electronic), and the right to use your name in such publications.
 -   This includes the right to use your photos on our website, social media, in print and electronic advertisements and promotions.
 -   All photographs will be credited with the caption “©Person’s Name.”

Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee reserves the right at our sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the photo contest. 

Shared from https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/event/snettphoto2020/

#SNETTPhoto2020 – Photo Contest
#SNETTPhoto2020 – Photo Contest

Monday, September 7, 2020

StoryWalk(R) on the SNETT

Please enjoy the StoryWalk(R) along the SNETT in Bellingham, MA. The StoryWalk(R) will be installed at the Center St. trailhead. Please observe social distancing when visiting or wear a mask if 6ft distance cannot be maintained. Thank you.

The featured book is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

The StoryWalk(R) Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kello-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk(R) is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. 

For additional rail trail events  https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/events/

StoryWalk(R) on the SNETT
StoryWalk(R) on the SNETT


Sunday, June 21, 2020

SNETT Storywalk(R) Through June 28

"Please enjoy the StoryWalk along the SNETT in Bellingham, MA. The StoryWalk(R) is installed at the Center St. trailhead.
Please observe social distancing when visiting or wear a mask if 6ft distance cannot be maintained. Thank you.

The StoryWalk(R) Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kello-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk(R) is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson."

Shared from the FBRTC page
https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/event/june-storywalkr-on-the-snett/

SNETT Storywalk(R) Through June 28
SNETT Storywalk(R) Through June 28

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

SNETT Trail Advisory - section by Prospect St closed



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Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
SNETT Trail Advisory - section by Prospect St closed

SNETT Trail Closure Advisory
May 11 – August 31, 2020!

 

Due to the Prospect Street Tunnel project, the trail will be closed between Lake Street in the Town of Bellingham and Spring Street in the Town of Franklin. Trail users should plan to use other parts of the SNETT during this period of time.

For more information or to keep updated, please visit our website or Facebook Page.

Our mailing address is:
Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
PO Box 68
Franklin, Ma 02038
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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Fresh air is good for us, get out to the woods/trail for a walk

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:
“I have some good news. Nature is not canceled,” said Bonnie Combs, marketing director for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. “Fresh air and sunshine are good for you. Just practice social distancing.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200317/coronavirus-pushes-people-outdoors

The SNETT trail is good walking here in Franklin more info on their page
https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

DelCarte Open Space on Pleasant St is always a good choice for me. Find more trail maps and info about other options in Franklin here
https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/files/fields-playgrounds

on a trail in the Franklin Town Forest (off Summer St) recently
on a trail in the Franklin Town Forest (off Summer St) recently


Monday, February 17, 2020

2020 Presidents' Day Group Walk on the SNETT

The Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) write:
"Please join us for our monthly group walk on February 17 (Presidents’ Day) at 10 AM. 

We will meet in the parking lot at the Grove Street trailhead in Franklin. All are welcome, including well behaved, leashed dogs."

Follow the Facebook event post by FBRTC
https://www.facebook.com/events/3344296688930355/
 

Wear good shoes, the trail is likely to be icy near the 'sunken' portion
Wear good shoes, the trail is likely to be icy near the 'sunken' portion
It is not really 'sunken' as anyone knows who walks a rail trail. They are as flat as can be. Trains did not like to do steep elevations. Long and gradual inclines or declines are all you'll find on rail trails. The 'sunken' section (as I refer to it) is where the trail was cut through a rise. The walls on both side rise 30-40 feet and there is a natural gathering of water along the trail. Given the temp, it is likely frozen and with care can be traversed without problem. There are well worn paths on both sides as well that are much dryer than the center part of the trail.


Thursday, February 13, 2020

SNETT Grove Street Parking Lot Closure

SNETT Grove Street Parking Lot Closure

The Grove Street parking lot in Franklin will be closed this Thursday and Friday.
(2/13/2020 - 2/14/2020) from 7 AM - 3 PM

SNETT Grove Street Parking Lot Closure during work non the pump station
SNETT Grove Street Parking Lot Closure during work non the pump station

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

January Group Walk on the SNETT - Jan 20


Please join us for our monthly group walk on the SNETT. Our January walk is planned on Monday, January 20th, 2020 (MLK Holiday) at 10 AM at the Center Street Trailhead in Bellingham.

Our December walk proved that having a pair of slip on ice crampons in a car is a great idea for winter walks. As always, this event is kid friendly and leashed dogs are welcome too.

Keep an eye on the event here or our Facebook page for any changes due to weather.

See you on the trail!

Please note: We are changing the location to Center St. trailhead in Bellingham. Since we are going to be walking by the Kindness Rocks spot, please feel free to bring a kindness rock or two to add. Thank you.

When: Monday, January 20, 2020 at 10 AM – 11:30 AM


Follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/595517817682623/

The slope at Prospect St where the tunnel will eventually go through on the SNETT (and under Prospect St)
The slope at Prospect St where the tunnel will eventually go through on the SNETT  (and under Prospect St)


Monday, December 23, 2019

Walk Off Those Cookies Group Walk On The SNETT - Dec 26

Please join us for a winter group walk on the SNETT. 

Let’s try to walk off some of those holiday calories and get some fresh air. This is a child friendly activity and leashed dogs are always welcome too. 

Last group walk of 2019!


Date: December 26
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Venue: SNETT Parking Lot, Grove Street, Franklin MA



This event is free, but we would love your support: become a member today: https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/join-support/

The SNETT Trail heading from Lake St to Cross St in Bellingham
The SNETT Trail heading from Lake St to Cross St in Bellingham

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Walk Off That Turkey - SNETT Group Walk - Nov 29

Join us to walk off that turkey dinner on Friday, November 29 at 10 AM. We will meet at the Grove Street trailhead parking lot at 10 AM. Dogs on a leash are always welcome.

Friday, Nov 29  at 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Hosted by Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

trail head for the SNETT on Grove St
trail head for the SNETT on Grove St

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Funding Approved for SNETT Tunnel in Franklin

Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), and Representative Mike Soter CR-Bellingham) are pleased to announce that funding for the Prospect Street tunnel along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) has been approved this week and the project will go out to bid in the fall. A total of $1.3 million, over two fiscal years, will be funded from the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) Trails Capitol Project.

"The Southern New England Trunk.line Trail serves as an important corridor that offers exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities while also connecting communities together throughout the region," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. "The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to provide essential funding for the rail trait's Prospect Street tunnel project, which will be managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and appreciates the dedication and hard work of the Town of Franklin's legislative delegation."
Southern New England Trunkline Trail
SNETT trailhead on Grove St

Franklin's legislative delegation has been actively working on this funding since 2014 in order to expand the connectivity of this trail and connect it to the rest of the SNETT. The SNETT, one of the longest trails in Massachusetts, travels 22 miles from Grove Street in Franklin all the way to the Douglas State Forest. The trail is popular to bicyclists, cross-country skiers, equestrians, and hikers and connects with other trail lines, reaching as far as Worcester, MA, Providence, RI and Palmer, MA.

"Well-maintained, accessible recreational trails have a significant positive impact on quality of life across the state," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "This funding will make significant improvements to the connectivity and accessibility of SNETT, encouraging people to get outdoors, be active and connect with the region."

"As an avid bike rider, this project has always been near and dear to my heart," said Rep. Roy. "I have been advocating for the SNETT because it not offers great recreational potential as a multi-use trail and brings communities together. It also gives life to abandoned railways and provides communities a way to offer open space to its residents. I am thrilled to see that the Governor and DCR are supporting this project and look forward to seeing more residents on the trail."

An impediment at Prospect Street emphasizes the need for a tunnel. At that point one mile into the trail there is steep terrain causing users to leave the trail, trespass on private property, and traverse a steep incline to get to the other side. Many years ago, the old railroad tracks right-of­ way ran under a bridge at Prospect Street. But the bridge was eliminated, and the railroad right­ of-way was filled in, creating this major obstacle.

In 2013, then DCR Commissioner Jack Murray visited the site with members of the Legislature, engineers, Franklin town officials, rail trail committee members, and conservationists to discuss options. And in 2016, Matthew Beaton, the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, rode the trail with Rep. Roy (D-Franklin), local officials, and committee members to see firsthand whether a tunnel fit in with the Governor's priorities.

bikers on the SNETT
bikers on the SNETT

Rep. Soter (D-Bellingham) stated, "I'm thrilled to see this project finally move towards reality. This has been in the works for years now and I cannot express enough how happy I am to see this project through as the State Representative of the 8th Worcester District. The Southern New England Trunkline Trail is an outstanding project that promotes environmental stewardship and healthy living for the residents of Bellingham and the surrounding communities."

Senator Becca Rausch (D- Needham) said, "One of the best parts of our pocket of the Commonwealth is its natural beauty. This project not only improves lives in our area by fixing a problem spot for accessibility, but also serves as a draw to others to come visit our region. I'm so proud to support the tremendous work of my colleagues at the state and local levels who have brought this trail to reality."

"I want to thank our state legislative delegation and the Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Committee for all of their tireless work to get these resources to provide better access to the SNETI trail," said Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. "On behalf of our entire staff and the Franklin DPW, we have been honored to work on this exciting project. There is no question this is a very big deal and we are committed to continuing to work on expansion of the SNETT in the future."

"The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is proud to be the community advocate for the SNETT and the funding of the Prospect Street tunnel project," said Marc Kaplan, FBRTC president. "The tunnel project solves a major impasse on the SNETT and creates a seamless connection between the towns of Franklin and Bellingham. The completed project helps realize our mission of making a universally accessible trail for all ages and abilities and will improve the quality of life for residents. We would like to thank Representatives Roy and Soter and Senators Spilka and Rausch, as well as Franklin and Bellingham Town administrators for their leadership to secure funding for this important project, and the OCR for their tireless work and direct assistance in developing the SNETT rail trail."

The project will go out to bid in November 2019 and the project should be complete by the summer of 2020.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Dog Walk/Group Walk on the SNETT - July 19 - 9 AM



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Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

Dog Walk/Group Walk on the SNETT
July 19th, 9 AM - 10 AM
Grove Street Trail Head, Franklin


Please join us on Friday, July 19, 2019 for a dog walk/group walk on the SNETT rail trail. We will start at 9am from the Grove Street trailhead in Franklin. Parking lot is across the street from the trailhead (next to Metcalf Materials). The trail is shaded and an easy walk. Please bring leash and anything else you and your dog may need on the walk.
No dog? No problem. We welcome anyone to join us!
Please visit our event website or our Facebook event page for more information or any weather related changes.
See you on the trail!





Copyright © 2019 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

Our mailing address is:
Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
PO Box 68
Franklin, Ma 02038

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Thursday, April 18, 2019

SNETT Group Walk - Friday, April 19 - 10 AM

Please join us for our monthly group walk on the SNETT! 

This month we will be walking on Friday, April 19 at 10 AM. 

Meet at the Lake St. parking lot. It is a spring break for many, so bring your kids and of course your four-legged companions on a leash are always welcome.

yes, I was part of the group last month and look to join the walk again this Friday
yes, I was part of the group last month and look to join the walk again this Friday

Follow the event on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/events/323621265020605/

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club monthly Meeting - March 13

Come join your friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club monthly Meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, March 13th at 7:30.

Tony DaSilva, Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee member will join us. The FBRTC is a volunteer advocacy group dedicated to the development, maintenance, and financial support of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. The SNETT is a mixed use recreational trail that runs 23 miles from Franklin to Douglas, MA.

We are NOT just for Newcomers and there is no need to RSVP, just join us and have fun while you make connections in your community. We are a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. As a member driven organization . . . your ideas count and we want to implement them!
Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club monthly Meeting - March 13
Franklin Newcomers and Friends
Club monthly Meeting - March 13

Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, are welcome to join us the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). We run our meetings September through May. We meet at “3” Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin, upstairs in a private room. Complimentary hot appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available.

Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club.

Sunday, February 24, 2019

On this date: Feb 24, 2012 - Wadsworth Diaries

We can take a double dip back in the archives on this day, as in 2012, I had shared the entry from the diary of George Wadsworth from Feb 24, 1858. 

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 24, 1858

"Very pleasant & cold in morn, 10 below zero Grew quite warm before noon. Went after F.M. Newell in morn. Father carried Mother to Uncle Richardsons & went after her at night. I helped Jos pack ice. Wm Miller, Wm Adams, Brockway & J. Pond helped. I (we) paid our taxes, first I ever paid. Cars late, got here about 10 3/4."

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 

From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html  
 
An updated link to the diaries: http://www.wadsworthdiaries.com/

The stone remains of Wadsworth Station can be found at the intersection of the SNETT Trail and Spring St here in Franklin. The station back in its time was shown in this photo from the Historical Museum archives.

Wadsworth Station - at the intersection of the SNETT Trail and Spring St here in Franklin
Wadsworth Station - at the intersection of the SNETT Trail and Spring St here in Franklin

The link to the post in 2012
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/02/wadsworth-diary-feb-24-1858.html