Tag Archives: Walpole Trail Committee

Reminder: Rail Trail Maintenance Event

EVENTS 11/04/2025 Leave a comment

REMINDER: RAIL TRAIL MAINTENANCE EVENT 

Saturday, 11/8/25, 9 am – 12 pm

There is still time to sign up for the fall trail work event this coming Saturday morning on the Cheshire Rail Trail.  The Walpole Trail Committee needs volunteers for digging, raking and similar tasks to maintain culverts, drainage ditches, and water bars along our town’s section of rail trail.

Last fall’s similar rail trail maintenance work was clearly worthwhile.  It helped the drainage features function through the winter and enabled the trail to emerge much drier in the spring.  

The 2025 fall Rail Trail maintenance event will begin at 9 am on Saturday, November 8.  Volunteers will meet at various designated locations along the rail trail and work in small teams until about noon.  Advance registration is required.  Please try to sign up by November 5 so that we have time to allocate volunteers to groups, locations, and projects.  Late this week, we will email everyone who has signed up the details about what projects we’ll tackle, where to meet, and what to bring.

To sign up or to get more information, please send an email to Wendy Grossman at walpoletrailhelpers@gmail.com.  Please join us at the Walpole Trail Committee’s Fall Rail Trail Maintenance Event on Saturday, November 8!

Fall Rail Trail Maintenance Event – 11/8/25

EVENTS 10/23/2025 Leave a comment

FALL RAIL TRAIL MAINTENANCE EVENT

Saturday, 11/8/25, 9 am – 12 pm

The Walpole Trail Committee needs volunteers to give Walpole’s section of the Cheshire Rail Trail a drainage system tune-up.  On Saturday, November 8, at 9 am, we are holding a trail work event to perform maintenance on culverts, drainage ditches, and water bars along the rail trail.  The trail work will involve digging, raking and similar tasks to clear out silt and debris. 

Our goal is to ensure that water flows smoothly in the drainage system through the winter and that the trail emerges relatively dry in the spring.  Everyone who uses the rail trail in Walpole will benefit.

Please sign up for this rail trail work event by November 5 so that we can allocate the available volunteer workers to priority projects.  We will send out details about where to meet, what tools to bring and what projects will be tackled shortly before the November 8 event.

To sign up or to get more information, please send an email to Wendy Grossman at walpoletrailhelpers@gmail.com.  Advance sign-up is required.

Please join us at the Walpole Trail Committee’s Fall Rail Trail Maintenance Event on Saturday, November 8!

Rail Trail Reopened

Uncategorized 09/19/2025 1 Comment

From Wendy Grossman:

The New Hampshire Bureau of Trails has completed its bridge repairs on the northern portion of the Cheshire Rail Trail in Walpole. The trail, which had been closed in this area during repairs, has been reopened.

The bridge near Malnati Farm now has a completely new, bicycle-friendly deck. At the bridge nearest to the Boat Launch, some of the gaps between deck planks have been filled to make the bridge surface more level. The repairs at both bridges should improve the safety and enjoyment of Walpole’s rail trail for users, especially bicyclists.  

Many thanks to the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails.

Wendy Grossman

Chair, Walpole Trail Committee

Rail Trail Bridge Repairs Begin Today – 9/11/25

Uncategorized 09/11/2025 Leave a comment

From Wendy Grossman:

RAIL TRAIL BRIDGE REPAIRS

Beginning today, the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails will be making bridge repairs on the northern portion of the Cheshire Rail Trail in Walpole.  During repairs, the rail trail will be closed from the Boat Launch/WMA area to just north of the rail trail bridge at Malnati Farm.  Please heed any signs and follow any instructions from the repair personnel.  It is hoped that the bridge repairs will be completed by the end of next week (9/20).

The Bureau of Trails deserves our appreciation for this work to improve the safety and usability of Walpole’s rail trail.

Wendy Grossman

Chair, Walpole Trail Committee

Final Month of the Summer Hiking Challenge

Uncategorized 08/29/2025 Leave a comment

From France Menk:

Final Month of the Walpole Trail Committee Summer Hiking Challenge. Hike trails & class 6 roads in Walpole for fun and prizes! 12:01 am June 1 to 11:59 pm September 30. Log your miles, trail, weather, etc. www.WalpoleOutdoors.org/news to download log sheets.

Rail Trail News

Uncategorized 08/22/2025 1 Comment

From Wendy Grossman:

This week the Walpole section of the Cheshire Rail Trail was brush hogged again!  The grass and weeds on the trail surface were cut for the benefit of pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians who use the 7+ miles of trail between the CITGO/Jiffy Mart in the north and the Westmoreland border in the south.  

There is trail access and limited parking at many road crossings along the Rail Trail.  Maps are available at walpoleoutdoors.org (the Conservation Commission website) and in Town Hall.

Given the short grass and dry weather, conditions are generally good for exploring the Rail Trail and its many scenic views in Walpole.  However, bicyclists and other users should heed the new NH Bureau of Trails CAUTION signs urging bicyclists to walk over the bridge at Malnati Farm.  Bicyclists should also be cautious at the bridge north of the Boat Launch WMA.

At the Gateway, walkers can take a side trip to the new Gateway River Ramble trail for outstanding views of the Connecticut River.  To reach this trail, walk down from the Gateway kiosk to the boat drop-off area, continue past the cornfield, and bear right to the trail sign.

If you have comments about the Rail Trail, please feel free to contact Wendy Grossman, Chair of the Walpole Trail Committee, at walpoletrailhelpers@gmail.com.

Enjoy the Rail Trail!

Wendy and Will Grossman

Walpole Trail Committee

Rail Trail Brush Hogging Complete

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 06/30/2025 Leave a comment

From Wendy Grossman:

Brush hogging was completed last Friday on the Walpole section of the Cheshire Rail Trail!  With the overgrowth cut back, now is a great time for pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians to explore the 7+ miles of State-owned Rail Trail along the west side of Walpole.  The usable trail extends from behind the CITGO/Jiffy Mart in the north to the Westmoreland border in the south. The Cheshire Rail Trail then continues southward to Keene and beyond.

In Walpole, the trail is accessible from Blackjack Crossing Rd., Halls Crossing Rd., River Rd., the Walpole Gateway, Route 123, and the Boat Launch WMA.  There is a dedicated parking area on River Rd, and limited parking at other locations.  Please do not block the gates or the trail when you park.

Please be respectful of the private landowners who abut the trail.  Please follow trail signs, especially through Homestead Farm.  Please practice “leave no trace” principles.  Do not litter. No motorized vehicles are allowed (except for snowmobiles.)

Maps of the Rail Trail are available at walpoleoutdoors.org (the Conservation Commission website) and in Town Hall. 

Many thanks to the Walpole Selectboard, the Walpole Conservation Commission, and the Walpole Trail Committee for supporting this project.  Thanks also to Mike Hubbard of Connecticut Valley Yard Works for brush hogging the trail.

Enjoy the Rail Trail!

Wendy and Will Grossman

Walpole Trail Committee

Conservation Commission & Trail Committee Events – 6/28 & 6/29

CONSERVATION COMMISSION 06/26/2025 Leave a comment

From France Menk:

Old Home Days Nature Outings – 6/28 & 6/29

CONSERVATION COMMISSION, EVENTS 06/20/2025 Leave a comment

From Wendy Grossman:

In connection with Old Home Days, the Walpole Conservation Commission and the Walpole Trail Committee, are offering several nature outings for the community.

Saturday, 6/28, from 8:30 to 10:00 am, Chris Liazos, an Antioch University MS graduate student, will lead a birding walk around town on behalf of the Conservation Commission. To join the walk, please come to the Conservation Commission booth on the Common at 8:30 am.

Sunday, 6/29, the Walpole Trail Committee invites you to visit the Gateway, the town-owned property nestled against the Connecticut River across Route 12 from South Street. At 7 am, Sharyn Tullar will lead a birding outing next to the river. Bring your own binoculars. At 10 am, there will be a guided hike along the Gateway River Ramble, a short new trail with outstanding views of the Connecticut River. The meeting spot for both events is the kiosk at the top of the hill. Dress for an outdoor adventure (comfortable shoes, tick and insect protection, etc.)

On Saturday, the Conservation Commission and the Trail Committee will have side-by-side booths on the west side of the Common opposite the Congregational Church. Please visit us to learn more about conservation and trails in Walpole.

Reminder: Walpole Summer Trail Challenge

Uncategorized 06/04/2025 Leave a comment