== Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==

NH Heritage Trail, Bureau of Trails

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A vision for New Hampshire

Introduction:

The vision for the Heritage Trail reflects the best of New Hampshire. Imagine a trail stretching across the state from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border, over two hundred miles long. A trail that runs along the rivers which form the cultural backbone of New Hampshire. A ribbon of land that tells the continuing story of the state's history, natural resources, culture, and economy. A resource that will provide recreation, education, open space, and a sense of pride for generations to come.

Your Community's Heritage Trail can also reflect the best of your town or city, the unique landmarks and natural areas which define your community's "sense of place. " Imagine a trail along the river in your community. A place for walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, learning, or just plain relaxing.

Now imagine linking your trail to a statewide system connecting dozens of communities which share a common heritage. This is what the New Hampshire Heritage Trail effort is all about, a statewide project that starts with your community.

The primary goal of the Heritage Trail is to provide and protect recreational and educational opportunities throughout New Hampshire. As our cities grow, there is pressing need for preserving land and public access to open space as well as the state's cultural heritage. The Heritage Trail will link diverse communities, telling the unique story of each location while creating a larger picture of the state's heritage, The trail will also create employment opportunities for youth, foster volunteer stewardship, and instill a sense of caring for the state's valued natural and cultural resources.

TRAIL BEGINNINGS...

Since 1988 the New Hampshire Heritage Trail has been supported by the Governor and endorsed by the State Legislature. The trail is becoming a reality in some communities and a long-term goal in others. The New Hampshire Conservation Corps constructed 10 miles of trail in Franconia Notch State Park. In 1990 the cities and towns of Bethlehem, Manchester, and Nashua dedicated Heritage Trail segments. Many other cities and towns along the route have active Heritage Trail committees now planning future segments for their communities.

WHERE IS THE HERITAGE TRAIL? WHAT USES WILL IT SUPPORT?

A preliminary corridor has been chosen running north from Massachusetts along the Merrimack River to Franklin where it joins the Pemigewasset River and goes through Franconia Notch to Lancaster, then follows the Connecticut River to Canada. Trail use will be as diverse as the landscapes and communities involved. Hiking will take place throughout the trail, but some communities may choose to expand the idea by including activities such as natural and historical interpretation, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

TRAIL DEVELOPMENT...

The communities along the trail corridor play the most important role in developing the Heritage Trail. Communities design, build and maintain local Heritage Trail segments. The success of the Heritage Trail depends on the interest and support of these communities and the involvement of local citizens. Overall trail development is guided by the statewide Heritage Trail Advisory Committee in cooperation with the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development.

Assistance to communities has also been provided and coordinated by public/private partnerships consisting of the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. Support for Heritage Trail projects also comes from the Student Conservation Association, which administers the New Hampshire Conservation Corps.

Project updates:

Various sections of trail, some being former rail corridors, have been built in keeping with the Heritage Trail vision of 1988. Manchester NH has completed a section. The entire Salem to Concord rail corridor is another part of the vision with Windham being nearly complete, Salem, Derry, and Londonderry being in the planning stages as of December 2007.

Web site:

http://www.nhtrails.org/Trailspages/AboutUsPages/aboutusHeritageTrail.html

Contact:

New Hampshire Heritage Trail Advisory
Division of Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Trails
PO BOX 1856
Concord, N.H. 03302-1856
(603)-271-3254
www.nhtrails.org

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