The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has prepared draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for several locations inside the Blackstone Complex. The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) is one of the properties targeted for improvements. Copies of the plan for the SNETT are available on the Blackstone RMPs web page.
A meeting was conducted on October 8 where DCR presented an initial draft of the RMPs for the Blackstone Complex. A recording of the meeting and the slideshow from the meeting are available online. DCR encourages the public to share additional feedback, with a deadline for receipt of comments by DCR of October 31st, 2024. Comments may be submitted via the DCR public comment portal. Please be sure to select “Blackstone RMPs” from the “Topic Selection” drop down so that your comments are included with the correct project. Please note that the content of comments you submit to DCR, along with your name, town, and zip code, will be posted on DCR’s website. Additional contact information required when commenting, notably email address, will only be used for outreach on future updates on the subject project or property.
Only 2 weeks until Franklin’s Harvest Festival. Come visit us and enter to win a $100 gift certificate to Crossing Cycle. Learn about the SNETT & get a free bicycle bell.
Neal McNamara from Patch ranked the top Rail Trails in the state, and the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) was ranked #2! Read Neal’s review of the SNETT, and see how other Rail Trails ranked in the article below.
Thanks to our partners at MassTrails and Bellingham DPW, new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) were installed last month at the Lake Street trail crossing. The traffic signals were paid for by a grant from MassTrails. Jesse Riedle and the rest of the team at the Bellingham DPW procured and installed the signals.
The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the 5K race hosted by the Tri-Valley Front Runners (TVFR), which raised over $8,500 to support the development and maintenance of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to TVFR and especially to Mark Capparella, the dedicated race director, and his team for their unwavering support and exceptional organization of this event. At the most recent FBRTC meeting, Mark and the TVFR team presented President Cliff Winters with a donation of $5,373.56, which accounted for the net proceeds of the 2024 race.
The Tri-Valley Front Runners, the premier running organization in the Tri-Valley region, took over the production of this race in 2019 when Dave Labonte, the former director, stepped down. Steve Pohnert, a member of both FBRTC and TVFR, facilitated this transition, and since then, TVFR has continuously supported our cause. The event resumed with a virtual race in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an in-person road race in 2022, and last year, we successfully hosted our first trail race in 2023.
TVFR, founded in the early 1980s, is an all-inclusive, vibrant running club that welcomes runners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. They organize a variety of events, including road races, trail runs, track workouts, and group training runs, fostering a sense of community and promoting healthy living. For more information about TVFR, visit Tri-Valley Front Runners.
The FBRTC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use and development of the SNETT. Our mission is to create, promote, and maintain a safe and accessible trail system that benefits the communities of Franklin and Bellingham. Learn more about our efforts at Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail.
The recent 5K race saw a total of 226 registered participants, with 184 finishers, marking an increase from 131 registrants and 108 finishers in 2022, and 147 registrants and 137 finishers in 2023. The success of this event is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between our volunteers and the TVFR team, including 13 TVFR volunteers and an additional 14 members who participated in the race.
We would like to acknowledge and congratulate our top finishers: Andrew Bairos of Franklin, who won the overall men’s category, and Elizabeth Traphagen of Franklin, who won the overall women’s category. A total of 58 medals were awarded across various age groups, celebrating the spirit and competitiveness of all participants. Full race results can be found at 2024 FBRTC 5K Results.
The next race is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025. We look forward to another successful event and continued support from our community. For more information on how to get involved or support the FBRTC, please visit our website.
Next time you are out on the trail, check out one of the Story Walks we have installed. Currently, “Tidy” is over at the Grove Street trailhead, and “One Springy, Singy Day” is over at the Harpin Street trailhead.
Throughout the year, we will be also utilizing the Lake Street, Center Street and Fox Run trailheads, so keep an eye out for when new stories appear.
Thank you to our friends at the Franklin Public Library and the Bellingham Public Library for putting together these stories.
Thank you to everyone who came out for the 5k this weekend! This weekend’s event had more than double the participants than last year. We are grateful for all the sponsors, donors and volunteers who made this event happen. See you out on the trail this summer!