HAboutRailsto-TrailsConservancy

eadquartered inWashington,D.C.,Railsto-TrailsConservancy (RTC) isanonprofitorganizationdedicatedtocreatinganationwidenetworkoftrails

from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places forhealthierpeople.

RailwayshelpedbuildAmerica.Spanningfromcoasttocoast,theseribbonsof steel linked people, communities, and enterprises, spurring commerce andforgingasinglenationthatbridgesacontinent.Butinrecentdecades,manyofthese routes have fallen into disuse, severing communal ties that helped bindAmericanstogether.

When RTC opened its doors in 1986, the rail-trail movement was in itsinfancy.Mostprojectsfocusedonsingle,linearroutesinruralareas,createdfor

recreation and conservation. RTC sought broader protection for the unusedcorridors,incorporatingrural,suburban,andurbanroutes.

Yearafteryear,RTC’seffortstoprotectandalignpublicfundingwithtrailbuilding created an environment that allowed trail advocates in communitiesacross the country to initiate trail projects. These ever-growing ranks of trailprofessionals, volunteers, and RTC supporters have built momentum for thenationalrail-trailsmovement.Asthenumberofsupportersmultiplied,sodidtherail-trails.

Americansnowenjoymorethan23,000milesofopenrail-trails,andastheyflocktothetrailstoconnectwithfamilymembersandfriends,enjoynature,andgettoplacesintheirlocalneighborhoodsandbeyond,theireconomicprosperity,health,andoverallwell-beingcontinuetoflourish.

AsignatureendeavorofRTC isTrailLink.com,America’sportal to theserail-trails,aswellasothermultiusetrails.WhenRTClaunchedTrailLink.comin2000, our organization was one of the first to compile such detailed trailinformationonanationalscale.Today, thewebsitecontinues toplayacriticalrole in both encouraging and satisfying the country’s growing need foropportunities to ride,walk, skate, or run for recreation or transportation. Thisfree trail-finder database—which includes detailed descriptions, interactivemaps, photo galleries, and firsthand ratings and reviews—can be used as acompanionresourcetothetrailsinthisguidebook.

Thenationalvoiceformorethan160,000membersandsupporters,RTCiscommitted to ensuringabetter future forAmericamadepossibleby trails andtheconnectionstheyinspire.Learnmoreatrailstotrails.org.

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TableofContentsAboutRails-to-TrailsConservancy

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

HowtoUseThisBook

CONNECTICUT

AirLineStateParkTrail

CharterOakGreenway

DerbyGreenway

FarmingtonCanalHeritageTrail

FarmingtonRiverTrail

HopRiverStateParkTrail

KressFamilyTrail

LarkinStateParkTrail

MiddleburyGreenway

PequonnockRiverTrail

QuinebaugRiverTrail

ShorelineGreenwayTrail

SueGrossmanStillRiverGreenway

VernonRails-to-Trails(RockvilleSpur)

WindsorLocksCanalStateParkTrail

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MASSACHUSETTS

AmesburyRiverwalk

AshuwillticookRailTrail

AssabetRiverRailTrail

BordertoBostonTrail

BridgeofFlowers

BruceFreemanRailTrail

CanalsideRailTrail

Connecticut’sFarmingtonCanalHeritageTrail

CapeCodCanalBikeway

CapeCodRailTrail

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CharlesRiverBikePath

ClipperCityRailTrailandHarborwalk

ColumbiaGreenwayRailTrailandSouthwickRailTrail

EastBostonGreenway

GrandTrunkTrail

IndependenceGreenway

ManhanRailTrail

MarbleheadRail-Trail

MassCentralRailTrail

MinutemanBikeway

Narrow-GaugeRail-Trail

NashuaRiverRailTrail

NeponsetRiverGreenway

NorthCentralPathway

NorthernStrandCommunityTrail

OldColonyRailTrail

PhoenixBikeTrail

ProvinceLandsBikeTrail

ReformatoryBranchTrail

ShiningSeaBikeway

SouthwestCorridorPark(PierreLallementBikePath)

UpperCharlesTrail

RHODEISLAND

BlackstoneRiverGreenway

EastBayBikePath

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FredLippittWoonasquatucketRiverGreenway

TenMileRiverGreenway

WashingtonSecondaryBikePath

WilliamC.O’NeillBikePath

PhotoCredits

SupportRails-to-TrailsConservancy

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Foreword

or those of you who have already experienced the sheer enjoyment andfreedom of riding on a rail-trail, welcome back! You’ll find Rail-Trails:

SouthernNewEngland to be a useful and fun guide to your favorite trails, aswellasanintroductiontopathwaysyouhaveyettotravel.

Forreaderswhoarediscoveringforthefirsttimetheadventurespossibleona rail-trail, thankyoufor joining the rail-trailmovement.Since1986,Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has been the leading supporter and defender of thesepriceless public corridors. We are excited to bring you Rail-Trails: SouthernNewEngland,soyoutoocanenjoysomeoftheregion’spremierrail-trailsandmultiuse trails. These hiking and biking trails are ideal ways to connect withyourcommunity,withnature,andwithyourfriendsandfamily.

I’vefoundthattrailshaveawayofbringingpeopletogether,andasyou’llsee from thisbook,youhaveopportunities inevery stateyouvisit togetonagreattrail.Whetheryou’relookingforaplacetoexercise,explore,commute,orplay,thereisatrailinthisbookforyou.

SoIinviteyoutositback,relax,pickatrailthatpiquesyourinterest—andthengetout,getactive, andhavesome fun. I’llbeouton the trails too, sobesuretowaveasyougoby.

Happytrails,

KeithLaughlin,PresidentRails-to-TrailsConservancy

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Acknowledgments

pecialthankstoGeneBisbeeandAmyAhnfortheirworkonthisbook.Weare also appreciative of the following contributors and to all the trail

managerswecalledonforassistancetoensurethemaps,photographs,andtraildescriptionsareasaccurateaspossible.

MiloBatemanJimBrown

KenBryan

RyanCree

CindyDickersonEliGriffen

AveryHarmonYvonneMwangi

JimmyO’ConnorKennethRusk

AnyaSaretzkyLizSewell

TomSexton LeeannSinpatanasakulLauraStarkScottStark

DerekStrout

TheNorwottuckBranchoftheMassCentralRailTrail

TheMassachusettssectionoftheBlackstoneRiverGreenway

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Introduction

ail-Trails: Southern New England highlights 52 of the top rail-trails andothermultiusepathwaysinConnecticut,Massachusetts,andRhodeIsland.

These trailsofferabroad rangeofexperiences to suitnearlyevery taste, fromvibrantcitiestoremoteforests,fromsweepingcoastalvistastonarrowwoodedravines,andfromchallengingmountainbikingadventurestorelaxingwaterfrontstrolls.

Within these pages, you’ll find lengthy trails for multiday journeys,including Connecticut’s Air Line State Park Trail and Massachusetts’s MassCentral Rail Trail, as well as short but sweet options, such as the beautifulBridgeofFlowersandtheVernonRailsto-Trails,whichisfeaturedonourcover.

AstandoutisCapeCod’sShiningSeaBikeway,whichwasnamedafterthelyrics to “America theBeautiful” and championedbyBarbaraBurwell,whosework on the rail-trail project inspired her son David Burwell. He cofoundedRailsto-TrailsConservancy(RTC)andbecameavisionaryleaderoftherailsto-trailsmovement.Americanowhasmorethan2,000rail-trails,andtheycanbefoundinall50states.

Twoexemplaryrail-trails in thisbookhavebeeninducted intoRTC’sHallof Fame: Massachusetts’s Minuteman Bikeway and Rhode Island’s East BayBike Path. The Minuteman Bikeway, spanning 10 miles through Boston’snorthwestsuburbs,roughlytracesPaulRevere’smidnightrideinApril1775towarn local militias about advancing British troops. The East Bay Bike Pathoffersspectacularmaritimeviewsonits14-milerunfromProvidencetoBristol.

SeveraltrailsinthisregionarebeingstitchedtogetherinthedevelopingEastCoastGreenway(ECG),whichaimstolinktrailsacross15states,fromMaineto

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Florida.You’llfindmanyECG-designatedpathwaysinthisbook,includingtheFarmington Canal Heritage Trail, a north-south route that nearly spansConnecticut, and the Charles River Bike Path, dotted with fantasticmuseumsandparksonitscoursefromBostontothecity’swesternsuburbs.

Nomatterwhichroutes inRail-Trails:SouthernNewEnglandyouchoose,you’llexperiencetheuniquehistory,culture,andgeographyofeach,aswellasthecommunitiesthathavebuiltandembracedthem.

WhatIsaRail-Trail?ail-trails are multiuse public paths built along former railroad corridors.Most often flat or following a gentle grade, they are suited to walking,

running, cycling, mountain biking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing,horsebackriding,andwheelchairuse.Sincethe1960s,Americanshavecreatedmorethan23,000milesofrail-trailsthroughoutthecountry.

These extremely popular recreation and transportation corridors traverseurban, suburban, and rural landscapes. Many preserve historical landmarks,whileothersserveaswildlifeconservationcorridors,linkingisolatedparksandestablishing greenways in developed areas. Rail-trails also stimulate localeconomiesbyboostingtourismandpromotingtrailsidebusinesses.

WhatIsaRail-with-Trail?rail-with-trailisapublicpaththatparallelsastill-activerailline.Somerunadjacenttohigh-speed,scheduledtrains,oftenlinkingpublictransportation

stations, while others follow tourist routes and slow-moving excursion trains.Many share an easement, separated from the rails by extensive fencing.Morethan275rails-with-trailsexistintheUnitedStates.

WhatIstheRail-TrailHallofFame?

In 2007 RTC began recognizing exemplary rail-trails around the countrythrough its Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. Inductees are selected based on suchmerits as scenic value, high use, trail and trailside amenities, historicalsignificance,excellenceinmanagementandmaintenanceoffacility,communityconnections, and geographic distribution. These iconic rail-trails, which havebeensingledoutfrommorethan2,000intheUnitedStates,haveearnedRTC’shighesthonorandrepresent tangiblerealizationsofourvisiontocreateamorewalkable, bikeable, healthierAmerica.Hall ofFame rail-trails are indicated inthisbookwithaspecialblueicon;forthefulllistofHallofFamerail-trails,visitrailstotrails.org/halloffame.

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HowtoUseThisBook

ail-Trails:SouthernNewEnglandprovides the informationyou’llneed toplan a rewarding trek.Withwords to inspireyou andmaps to chart your

path, it makes choosing the best route a breeze. Following are some of thehighlights.

YMaps

ou’llfindthreelevelsofmapsinthisbook:anoverallregionalmap,statelocatormaps,anddetailedtrailmaps.ThetrailsinthisbookarelocatedinConnecticut,Massachusetts,andRhode

Island.Each chapter details a particular state’s network of trails,marked on alocatormap at the beginning of the chapter.Use thesemaps to find the trailsnearest you, or select several neighboring trails and plan aweekend hiking orbikingexcursion.Onceyoufindatrailonastatelocatormap,simplyfliptothecorresponding number for a full description. Accompanying trail maps markeach route’s access roads, trailheads, parking areas, restrooms, and otherdefiningfeatures.

KeytoMapIcons

TTrailDescriptions

rails are listed in alphabetical orderwithin each chapter. Each descriptionleads with a set of summary information, including trail endpoints and

mileage,aroughnessindex,thetrailsurface,andpossibleuses.The map and summary information list the trail endpoints (either a city,

street,ormorespecificlocation),withsuggestedpointsfromwhichtostartandfinish.Additional access points aremarkedon themaps andmentioned in thetraildescriptions.Themapsanddescriptionsalsohighlightavailableamenities,including parking and restrooms, as well as such area attractions as shops,services,museums,parks,andstadiums.Traillengthislistedinmiles.

Eachtrailbearsaroughnessindexratingfrom1to3.Aratingof1indicatesasmooth, levelsurface that isaccessible tousersofallagesandabilities.A2ratingmeansthesurfacemaybelooseand/orunevenandcouldposeaproblemforroadbikesandwheelchairs.A3ratingsuggestsaroughsurfacethatisonlyrecommendedformountainbikersandhikers.Surfacescanrangefromasphaltorconcretetoballast,boardwalk,cinder,crushedstone,gravel,grass,dirt,sand,and/orwoodchips.Whererelevant,traildescriptionsaddressalternatingsurfaceconditions.

All trails are open to pedestrians, and most allow bicycles, except wherenoted in the trail summary or description. The summary also indicateswheelchairaccess.Otherpossibleusesincludein-lineskating,mountainbiking,horseback riding, fishing, and cross-country skiing.Whilemost trails are off-limits to motor vehicles, some local trail organizations do allow all-terrainvehiclesandsnowmobiles.

Traildescriptionssuggestanidealitineraryforeachroute,includingthebestparkingareasandaccesspoints,wheretobegin,yourdirectionoftravel,andanyhighlights along the way. Following each description are directions to therecommendedtrailheads.

Each trail description also lists a localwebsite for further information.Besure to visit these websites in advance for updates and current conditions.

TrailLink.comisanothergreatresourceforupdatedcontentonthetrailsinthisguidebook.

RTrailUse

ail-trails arepopulardestinations for a rangeofusers, oftenmaking thembusyplacestoenjoytheoutdoors.Followingbasictrailetiquetteandsafety

guidelineswillmakeyourexperiencemorepleasant.Keeptotheright,exceptwhenpassing.

Passontheleft,andgiveaclearaudiblewarning:“Passingonyourleft.”

Beawareofothertrailusers,particularlyaroundcornersandblindspots,andbeespeciallycarefulwhenenteringatrail,changingdirection,orpassing,sothatyoudon’tcollidewithtraffic.

Respectwildlifeandpublicandprivateproperty;leavenotraceandtakeoutlitter.

Controlyourspeed,especiallynearpedestrians,playgrounds,andheavilycongestedareas.

Travelsinglefile.Cyclistsandpedestriansshouldrideorwalksinglefileincongestedareasorareaswithreducedvisibility.

Crosscarefullyatintersections;alwayslookbothwaysandyieldtothroughtraffic.Pedestrianshavetheright-of-way.

Keeponeearopenandvolumelowonportablelisteningdevicestoincreaseyourawarenessofyoursurroundings.

Wearahelmetandothersafetygearifyou’recyclingorin-lineskating.

Considervisibility.Wearreflectiveclothing,usebicyclelights,orbringflashlightsorhelmet-mountedlightsfortunnelpassagesortwilightexcursions.

Keepmoving,anddon’tblockthetrail.Whentakingarest,turnoffthetrailtotheright.Groupsshouldavoidcongregatingonorblockingthetrails.Ifyouhaveanaccidentonthetrail,movetotherightassoonaspossible.

Bicyclistsyieldtoallothertrailusers.Pedestriansyieldtohorses.Ifindoubt,yieldtoallothertrailusers.

Dogsarepermittedonmosttrails,butsometrailsthroughparks,wildliferefuges,orothersensitiveareasmaynotallowpets;it’sbesttocheckthetrailwebsitebeforeyourvisit.Ifpetsarepermitted,keepyourdogonashortleashandunderyourcontrolatalltimes.Removedogwasteinadesignatedtrashreceptacle.

Teachyourchildrenthesetrailessentials,andbeespeciallydiligenttokeepthemoutoffaster-movingtrailtraffic.

Beprepared,especiallyonlong-distanceruraltrails.Bringwater,snacks,maps,alightsource,matches,andotherequipmentyoumayneed.Becausesomeareasmaynothavegoodreceptionforcellphones,knowwhereyou’regoing,andtellsomeoneelseyourplan.

KeytoTrailUse

TLearnMore

o learnabout additionalmultiuse trails inyourareaor toplana trip to anareabeyondthescopeofthisbook,visitRails-to-TrailsConservancy’strail-

finderwebsiteTrailLink.com,a free resourcewithmore than32,000milesofmappedrail-trailsandmultiusetrailsnationwide.

Connecticut

AbridgeovertheShepaugRiverontheKressFamilyTrail

Massachusetts

CharlesRiverBikePath

RhodeIsland

AlongtheFredLippittWoonasquatucketRiverGreenway,youcanseeremnantsofProvidence’srichindustrialhistory.

PhotoCredits

Pageiii:JimBrown;pagevi:BillCannon;pageix:RobertBissell;pagex:MiloBateman;page7:YvonneMwangi;page9:LizSewell;page10:BobYouker;page13:JimBrown;pages14and17:EliGriffen;page19:BillCannon;page23:LizSewell;page27:BillCannon;page29:YvonneMwangi;page33:JohnM. Joy; pages 35 and 37: Bill Cannon; page 39: Eli Griffen; page 45: JimBrown; pages 47 and 50: Shoreline Greenway Trail, Inc.; pages 51 and 55:YvonneMwangi;page57:JimBrown;page61:AnyaSaretzky;page63:RonFortier; page 65: Douglas Hurteau; page 69: Jing Zhou; page 73: AnyaSaretzky;pages75and77:DavidAlexander;page79:MiloBateman;page81:KenBryan;pages85and86:AnyaSaretzky;page89:StephenStruble;page91: Anya Saretzky; page 95: Georgie Vining; page 99: Milo Bateman; page103:LeeannSinpatanasakul;pages105and107:KenBryan;page109:AnyaSaretzky;page113:KenBryan;page115:AndrewRiedl;pages119and120:MiloBateman;page125:AndrewRiedl;page129:FriendsofBedfordDepotPark; pages 131 and 133: Milo Bateman; page 135: Leeann Sinpatanasakul;page139:KenBryan;page143:LeeannSinpatanasakul;pages147and148:TomSexton;page151:JohnCharbonneau;page153:AnyaSaretzky;page157:AykutBilge;page161:AnyaSaretzky;page163:LeeannSinpatanasakul;page165:JenniferLeonard;page169:KenBryan;page173:ScottStark;page175:MiloBateman;pages179,183,184,187,and188:ScottStark;page189:LauraStark;page192:ScottStark;page193:KennethC.Zirkel.

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SupportRailsto-TrailsConservancy

he nation’s leader in helping communities transformunused rail lines andconnectingcorridorsintomultiusetrails,Railsto-TrailsConservancy(RTC)

depends on the support of itsmembers and donors to create access to healthyoutdoorexperiences.

Yourdonationwillhelpsupportprogramsandservicesthathavehelpedputmorethan23,000rail-trailmilesontheground.Everyday,RTCprovidesvitalassistancetocommunitiestodevelopandmaintaintrailsthroughoutthecountry.In addition,RTCadvocates for trail-friendlypolicies, promotes thebenefitsofrail-trails,anddefendsrail-traillawsinthecourts.

Join online at railstotrails.org, or mail your donation to Railsto-TrailsConservancy,2121WardCourtNW,FifthFloor,Washington,D.C.20037.

Railsto-Trails Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, andcontributionsaretaxdeductible.