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Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==
Manchester Rail Trails Alliance
Updates,
details, and more good news!
July 29, 2008: Update from Jane Beaulieu:
The Manchester Regional Trails Alliance (MRTA) is a non-motorized trails group including organizations and individuals who develop and build passive trails. The MRTA establishes partnerships with municipalities and landowners, conservation and recreation groups and corporate interests in the region.
We encourage volunteerism, gift giving and stewardship. Fundraising efforts are an essential task of the MRTA. Fundraising programs include bike tours, grant writing, securing corporate sponsorships and gift giving. The Alliance includes representation from trail groups in Manchester, Londonderry, Derry, Windham, Auburn, Hooksett, Concord, Goffstown and New Boston and the Alliance continues to grow The Granite State Trail Alliances meet yearly in late fall to discuss important issues, exchange ideas, evaluate the implementation of trail projects and develop fundraising programs.
A Manchester Regional Bike Tour is a MRTA initiative scheduled for September 14, 2008. Postponed until 2009. Please see details on the next page.
April 27, 2008: Manchester Union Leader article and comments from residents are very supportive of the Manchester area rail trails efforts. Check out the full article here.
April 21, 2008: Additional details about the September Bike Tour were announced at the monthly MRTA meeting. Profit from the tour will help fund the reconstruction of the Piscataquog Trail bridge. Manchester expects to extend the Piscataquog Trail out to the vicinity of the West Side Arena this year. Work should start in late spring, and be finished in the fall. Guests from the Hooksett Kawanis Club and their Parks and Recreation Department outlined plans for work on the rail trails in their town. Final plans were made for participation in the April 22 Earth Day celebration at the State House.
April 11, 2008: The Hands Across the Merrimack Bridge was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting opening ceremony attended by US Senator John Sununu and many Manchester officials. The rain did not dampen the spirits and the bridge is open to the public! Now the east and west sides of Manchester are connected via a great facility for pedestrians and bicyclists, just in time to help reduce motor traffic and save money on expensive gas.
March 10, 2008: Details about the September 14 Bike Tour including the route were announced. To see the complete write-ups click here. Publicity was started in November 2007 with an article in the Manchester Daily Express.
February 25, 2008: Various projects in the Manchester area were reviewed and support from the city was again stated by Bob McKenzie of the Manchester Planning Department. Group participation in the April 22 Earth Day celebration and proclamation at the State House is planned. The date of Sunday, September 14, was announced for the city bike tour, a fund-raiser for various in-town projects. After a lengthy discussion, the group decided to formalize the MRTA with non-profit NH corporate status and apply for the IRS 501(c)3 tax status. The Queen City Trails Alliance headed by John St. Hilaire will be the fiscal agent for the September bike tour donations. The concept of creating the Granite State Trails Alliance was set aside for the immediate future.
January 21, 2008: Meeting planned for Jan. 14 was delayed a week thanks to another snow storm. Progress on various projects by the different groups was reported. Earth Day activities are planned for April. The Manchester area bike tour for September 14 was discussed; registration fees and donation schedule for riders and sponsors to be presented at the next meeting on Feb. 25.
All MRTA meetings are presently planned to be held on Mondays, 3:00 PM, at PSNH Energy Park, 780 North Commercial Street, Manchester NH.
November 29, 2007: A bicycle tour of the Manchester trail system is being planned for the summer or fall of 2008. For more info, check out the article which appeared in the Manchester Daily Express.
