Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail
More maps, including printable ones, are available here.
News and Events
Goffstown Rail Trail 97.3% Completed.
With the section of the trail from East Union Street to Factory Steet (840 ft.) improved to meet the town specification, the Friends of the Goffstown (FGRT) is pleased to announce that 5.41 miles of the trail have been finished and donated to the town.
In addition to this part of the trail, the abutting āResidence at Hadley Falls āhas designated eight parking spaces on their property for rail trail users.
Connection behind Shell Station Completed.
During the fall of 2023 with the addition of a sidewalk on Tatro Drive, an extension of the right of way was added behind the Shell Gas Station on South Mast Road. This provides an alternative to crossing the busy area in front of the gas pumps.
Bike lane to New Boston Rail Trail added
The Goffstown Department of Public Works & NH Highways Department have added a designated bike lane connecting the Goffstown Rail Trail at Factory Street to the New Boston Rail Trail. This follows Main Street, Church Street and North Mast Road.
Goffstown Rail Trail makes the list of āTop 10 Rail Trails in New Hampshireā published by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
Do you recognize this photo? Itās the view of Glen Lake from the Goffstown Rail Trail with Glen Lake Island on the right. This is just one of the scenic vistas that can be viewed by those taking advantage of breathtaking scenery along the trail.
The Piscataquog River (piscataquog, an Abenaki word meaning āwhere the river dividesā) runs through the center of Goffstown and supplies fresh water to Glen Lake which was formed by the construction of the Greggs Falls Dam, a site used for the generation of electrical energy.
See: Top 10 Trails in New Hampshire (railstotrails.org)
2020 Trail Improvement Project Completed
450 ft. of the Goffstown Rail Trail improved between the Goffstown / Manchester line and the end of the Piscataquog Trail. Thanks to the collaboration between the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail and the Town of Goffstown this now meets the town specifications. Membership funds and donations were used to purchase custom nitpack gravel.
Granite State Health & Fitnesss Foundation Donation
Granite State Health & Fitness Foundation board member Gary Girolimon (left) presents a $2,500 donation check from the GSHFF to Warren Denby, President of the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail. The funds will be used as a local match towards trail construction and maintenance grants thereby multiplying the value of the donation. The Granite State Health & Fitness foundation is a non-profit organization that strives to promote and support health, fitness and wellness lifestyle experiences and opportunities.
AARP Community Challenge Award
Look for 48 new wayfinding and informational signs that will help trail users of all ages and enhance safety at road crossing situations.
- Street names at road crossings
- Safety at the red lights & rock cut
- Destination information
- Historical site information
Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail won an AARP $2,500 award to purchase and install these signs as a donation to the town. The AARP Community Challenge grants fund innovative projects that can inspire change in areas such as transportation, open spaces, housing and smart cities. Nearly 1,700 applications were received from nonprofits and government entities for the program.
PRO Landscape Supply to Shell Station
In July 2019 work commenced on the NH Recreational Trails Program (RTP) 19-021 awarded to the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail to improve 2,255 feet of the trail between PRO Landscaping Supply and the Shell gas station. This includes the restoration of the trail along the original Goffstown and Manchester Railroad Inc. bed conceived by Capt. Peter E. Hadley in 1846. This section was temporarily diverted to follow the narrow electric street car line during the installation of a sewer water main. A 2019 award of $45,300 from the NH Bureau of Trails includes $9,100 of cash and labor from the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail to satisfy a 20% match requirement. The project involves tree and root removal, culvert restoration, grass seed planting, fence installation and tree planting and nit-pack gravel compacting on 2,255 feet of the Goffstown Rail Trail. This 2-section construction project (when completed) will result in 64% of the 5.5 mile trail being improved to meet town specifications.
East Union Street to Shirley Park
The 2018 - New Hampshire Recreational Trail Program (RTP) Grant 18 ā 25 (East Union St. to Shirley Park) project has been completed. The 1,800 feet of trail has now been improved to meet town specifications and an additional 17 feet of split rail fence have been added by volunteers. Funds from the RTP award, FGRT donations (including those from the Manchester Marathon Association), membership fees and donations from trail users were used to complete this project.
Check out the Trail Information Kiosk that is fully operational at the Mast Road Parking Area. It was constructed by two Girl Scouts, Victoria and Jillian from Goffstown Troop 20841, as their Silver Award Project.
Built to meet the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail specifications; the Girl Scouts created a comprehensive business plan that included the funding, purchase of material, construction and final on-site assembly. First, the plan was presented for review and endorsement by the Goffstown Parks and Recreation Commission, after which the donation of the kiosk as an improvement to town property was approved by the Board of Selectman.
It's that time of year to renew your membership or join the 2018 Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail. In 2016 funds went to the upgrading of the trail surface at the Manchester / Goffstown line, the improvement of the trail with compact gravel under the power lines near the intersection of Greer Road and Route 114 and much, much more. Please go to our membership page.
Our Volunteer Work Crew installed a new fence at the trail parking area near the Goffstown Junior Baseball fields. Membership funds and generous donations from Hannaford Supermarkets and the Manchester Marathon Association contributed to the purchase of this split rail fence that now clearly marks the entrance to the parking area (especially after snowstorms!)
**2020 Trail Improvement Project Completed**
450 ft. of the Goffstown Rail Trail improved between the Goffstown / Manchester line and the end of the Piscataquog Trail. Thanks to the collaboration between the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail and the Town of Goffstown this now meets the town specifications. Membership funds and donations were used to purchase custom nitpack gravel.
