History of the Trail

May 2010

The Town of Goffstown and the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail receive preliminary approval for a third NH Recreational Trails Program grant. See the press release here.
The Town of Goffstown receives notice of selection for Transportation Enhancement funding of four projects on the Goffstown Rail Trail. See the press release here.

March 2010

In a town vote, proposals to allow snowmobile access to portions of the rail trail were voted down. This means that the prohibition of all motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, will continue. (These results will not affect the crossing of the rail trail by the existing snowmobile trail, which has always been part of the town's plan.)

November 2009

The Eagle Scout project of Tanner Kantargis is completed. (photo)

September 2009

The town submits an application for the Transportation Enhancement (TE) program. If won, the grant will be used to replace a missing bridge and construct major road crossings.

May 2009

The Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail is awarded 501(c)(3) federal tax exempt status. Contributions are now tax deductible. See the FGRT membership page here.
The Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail raises money to purchase signs for road crossings, and donates them to the town.

April 2009

The Town of Goffstown and the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail receive preliminary approval for a third NH Recreational Trails Program grant.

November 2008

Work is completed on the 2007 and 2008 Recreational Trails Program projects. See photos here.
The Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail constructs a small trail bridge to wrap up the year's trail construction projects. See photos here.

October 2008

A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the first major construction on the Goffstown Rail Trail. See the press release and photo)
Work begins on the two trail construction projects, funded primarily by the 2007 and 2008 Recreational Trails Program grants.
The Eagle Scout project of Andrew Angione is completed. See photos here.

September 2008

The town awards a contract to John Neville Excavating for the first major trail construction project. This includes work on phase 1 of the First Mile project near Parks & Rec, and additional work east of Moose Club Park.
The Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail launches a new membership plan. Information can be found on the support page.

June 2008

The Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail has been awarded a $990 grant from the Environmental Community Grant Program of Northeast Utilities (parent company of PSNH). This grant will be used to construct a small trail bridge in the fall. (photo)

May 2008

The Goffstown Main Street Program agrees to serve as the fiscal sponsor for the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail while the the group seeks federal 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.

April 2008

The Town of Goffstown and the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail receive preliminary approval for a second NH Recreational Trails Program grant.

January 2008

The Rails to Trails Conservancy awards a $2400 grant to the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail. Read the press release. See photos of their visit here and here.

December 2007

The town's trail survey is completed.

August 2007

The town awards a contract for an engineering design study of certain aspects of the trail.
First Mile project trail clearing begins - see photos.

July 2007

The "Friends of the Greenway" changes its name to "Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail". The purpose and goals of the group remain unchanged.

June 2007

The town awards a contract for surveying the bounds of the entire trail corridor.
Tour of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack county (see photos). This trail has been primarily financed by NH Recreational Trails Program grants like the one recently received for the Goffstown Rail Trail.
Trail building work day - see photos.

April 2007

The Town of Goffstown and the Friends of the Greenway receive preliminary approval for a NH Recreational Trails Program grant. This money will be used for the "First Mile" project.

January 2007

The Town of Goffstown and the Friends of the Greenway submit a joint application for a NH Recreational Trails Program grant, to be used to improve a portion of the trail.

October 2006

The Rail Trail is selected to receive technical assistance from the Rivers and Trails Program of the National Park Service. Read the press release and read more about the program. Watch a video introduction.

May 2006

Goffstown is not chosen to receive a CMAQ grant, despite being identified as the highest priority for the program by the Southern NH Regional Planning Commission.

April 2006

Trail building and cleanup work day - see photos.

September 2005

Trail signs installed - see photo and close-up.

July 2005

The town submits an application for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant program. This grant would be used for trail design and construction.

June 2005

The Selectmen establish a new trail use ordinance.

April 2005

The town's new Rail Trail Steering Committee is formed.
Trail cleanup - see photos.

February 2005

Trail Design Charrette report (3 MB) presented to Selectmen.

August 2004

Trail cleanup with St. Anselm's Brian Maguire Freshmen Day of Service.

May 2004

Trail Design Charrette held on Saturday May 15th - see photos. A report on the charrette's findings has being prepared. (3 MB)

April 2004

Trail cleanup - see photos.

March 2004

Goffstown Board of Selectmen announce agreement with Boston and Maine Railroad for purchase of the railroad corridor.
The Governor's Executive Council votes to authorize purchase of the railroad corridor.

November 2003

PRLAC announces collaboration on trail - see press release.

October 2003

Trail cleanup - see photos and press release.

March 2003

Reauthorization of funding for land acquisition passes.

August 2002

Acquisition of railroad corridor listed in Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program FY2003-2005 (Southern NH Planning Commission).

March 2001

The Friends of the Greenway officially becomes a New Hampshire corporation.

Article 9 passes!

"To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars and no cents ($390,000) for property acquisition and master plan development for an alternative transportation path (non-motorized) in the Town of Goffstown. This project will be funded 20% ($78,000) by local property taxes, and 80% ($312,000) by the Federal Transportation Enhancement Program. The path will follow along the abandoned B&M rail line (98-48 TE), from the former town dump site and future athletic fields site in Pinardville, paralleling both the Piscataquog River and Mast Road, to Goffstown Village approximately 5.7 miles. When the design is complete, then the construction project, and its costs will be presented as a Special Article to the taxpayers for vote at an annual town meeting."

December 2000

Friends of the Greenway formed to advocate for the conversion of the rail corridor into a trail for the town.

1997

Goffstown Master Plan states the objective: Develop a "Rails-to-Trails" system which would extend Manchester's existing rail trail, through Goffstown, to the Weare town line.
Planning Department submits application for the Transportation Enhancement Program for land acquisition and trail design.

1995

Planning Department contacts Guilford Transportation for information on purchasing the railroad corridor.

1993

Goffstown railroad corridor identified in Southern NH Planning Commission's Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan .

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