The section of the Goffstown Rail Trail that is closest to me runs from Danis Park Road, northward past the Hillsborough County complex and women’s prison to Henry Bridge Road. It is an interesting stretch and an area that I used to hunt for many years. Even today, wildlife is abundant throughout the area. Sometimes you can see turkeys, deer, fox and squirrels. These are found in the more wooded areas of the trail however.
Admittedly, I hadn’t been down my section of the Rail Trail for some time, until recently. Volunteers of the Rail Trail Committee and others have been doing an immense amount of work to enhance the trail for people to enjoy and as I walked along, the work they had done so far stood out. First, I noticed the new signs posted at the Danis Park end. One was a sign enticing people to volunteer. The other sign was warning that motorized vehicles of any kind were not permitted on the trail, only pedestrians and bicycles. Then, I also saw the three large boulders placed across the trail to help in keeping motorized vehicles out, but with room enough for bicycles to go though.
As I continued my walk up toward the county complex, I noticed the immense amount of
trees and brush that had been cut down on both sides of the trail so that it would be more open to the users and not be in their way, also allowing for better vision. Upon reaching the county complex, I met Dennis and Joanne Houle, who are active members of the Rail Trail Committee. Dennis had just finished putting up the signs I previously mentioned, along the trail. He is a member of the Rail Trail Work Committee, while his wife, Joanne, is a member of the Rail Trail Outreach Committee. They informed me that more work on the trail was in the plans and that they would be busy. They had just finished putting up two more signs, advising people that motor vehicles are not allowed on the Rail Trail. They told me that they attend the Rail Trail Committee meetings that are held on the last Monday of every month at the Parks and Recreation Building in Goffstown. The meetings are from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Joanne and Dennis Houle of Goffstown
are members of the
Goffstown Rail Trail Committee.
One thing that disturbed me, on my hike up the trail, was the amount of litter that had been discarded on it. It ranged from beer cans and coffee cups to paper wrappers, cigarette packs and some discarded clothing items, etc. Fortunately, I had tucked a large garbage bag into my jacket pocket when I left the house and on my way back from the Henry Bridge Road end, I was able to remove the trash I saw. There is absolutely no excuse for people who use the trail to throw their litter around. All that is needed is to be responsible. Take a plastic bag with you and use it. Then, when you get home, properly dispose of the items you have bagged.
The following day, I went up the trail again. As I reached the county complex area, I found the two No Motor Vehicles Allowed signs, that Dennis Houle had put up the day before, had been deliberately broken and both were laying on the ground face down. This doesn’t say much for respect and responsibility for whoever did it. Rules are rules and if the person or persons violating them didn’t like them, then they should go somewhere else.
The Goffstown Rail Trail is a great way to get in your walking exercise, enjoy wildlife and bird watching or riding your bicycle. The Rail Trail has been a long time coming. It belongs to all of us, so use and care for it as you would anything that you value. Be responsible and don’t leave litter behind. For more information on the Goffstown Rail Trail, readers can go to their website at:
www.GoffstownRailTrail.org. They are also looking for volunteers to help out with various projects should you be interested. In the meantime, enjoy the Rail Trail.
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