May 21, 2015 by EW

West River Trail Workday Report

Posted on behalf of Jason Cooper, Workday Coordinator.
A big thanks to workday volunteers Elijah Cooper, Jennifer and Jahvon Parker, Dave Cohen and Rachel Zamore and their son, Eli and a friend. We got lots done! Volunteers moved rocks, cleared drainage, cut trees and branches, removed trash and pulled knotweed from a several-hundred square-foot patch of knotweed along the river bank, that had re-sprouted from where the VYCC had cleared last fall. Thanks to all for a very productive day!

Hope you’ll join us next time…stay tuned for info about the next workday.

Photos by Rachel Zamore and Jason Cooper

January 13, 2015 by EW

Friends of the West River Trail Open House & Annual Board Meeting

The public is invited to the Friends of the West River Trail Open House & Annual Board Meeting on Thursday January 29th at the South Londonderry Depot. The Meeting is at 5:30 pm, followed by a Social Hour with refreshments at 6 pm.
The meeting will include an update on important trail and depot projects and an introduction to the New West River Railroad Museum, under development by the Windham County Historical Society.
For questions and information about the annual meeting and open house, contact Greg Meulemans by email at meulemans@myfairpoint.net. Please join us on Thursday, January 29, 6-7:30 pm at the South Londonderry Depot.

October 10, 2014 by EW

Reception and Celebration of the Old Newfane Railroad Station & the New West River Railroad Museum

Dear Friends of the West River Trail,
Please join us to celebrate another West River Trail/Railroad milestone!
The Historical Society of Windham County cordially invites you to a reception and celebration of its purchase of the Old Newfane Railroad Station and the creation of the New West River Railroad Museum. A special reception with beverages and light food provided and musical interlude by Gene Morrison, will be followed by a slide presentation on the History of The West River Railroad (WRRR) by Glenn Annis. Glenn Annis is considered the foremost authority on the West River Railroad. Since his last public presentation over a decade and a half ago, Glenn has continued to research the WRRR. This presentation includes photographs and findings on the WRRR not previously shared publicly.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014
Place: NewBrook Fire Station, Route 30, Newfane, VT
Time: 6:00 Special Reception; 6:45 Music by Gene Morrison; 7:00 Presentation: The History of the West River Railroad by Glenn Annis

October 10, 2014 by EW

West River Trail Work Day Nov 1

Save the date and come on out to our West River Trail Work Day!
Saturday, Nov 1, 10 AM to 1 PM.
Meet at the Marina Trailhead & bring boots, gloves and water
We have plenty of tools, but if you prefer, bring your own shovel, iron rake, hand saw, clippers or leaf rake. It should be light work– mostly drainage clean out and pruning as needed. Hopefully it will be a great fall day on the trail!
Bring a friend and join the work party! Questions? Please email Jason at jason.cooper10@gmail.com. See you on the trail!

June 13, 2014 by EW

The West River Trail Detour

west river trail detour at marina trailhead

Woohoo! An alternate path for the lower section of the West River Trail has been opened at the Marina Trailhead that provides recreational use of the trail near the I-91 bridge construction access road. Follow trail signs carefully through the construction area. There are intersections between construction access and the trail path, and users should exercise extreme caution at these intersections. As an additional safety precaution, users of the West River Trail are reminded to keep pets on a leash in this area. Be safe and enjoy the trail!

Lots going on this weekend on and near the West River Trail. Come and join in!

West River Trail workday, Sunday June 15 starting from the Marina trail head at 10 am. More Click HERE for more information.

Black Mountain Hike, Saturday, June 14, 1 pm. Join members of the Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for a 4-mile walk through a 275-acre parcel on Black Mountain that TNC plans to acquire this summer. Mountain laurel should be at peak bloom! Meet on Rice Farm Rd., Dummerston, opposite the West River Trail kiosk, 1 mile south of the green iron bridge. Hike will be of moderate difficulty, over logging roads, led by Jon Binhammer and Roger Haydock. Information: Jbinhammer@tnc.org, or 802-229-4425 ext. 110.

Trail Talk, Saturday June 14, meet at the Marina Trailhead at 8 am, click HERE for more information.

June 2, 2014 by EW

West River Trail Run Saturday June 7th

The West River Trail Run
Saturday June 7, 2014.
The West River Trail Run is a spectacular run along the West River from South Londonderry to Jamaica in beautiful Southern Vermont. Open to single runners & relay teams of 3. Hikers and walkers are welcome and will start about an hour before the runners. For more information and to register, please call 802-824-4200 or check the The West River Trail Run website.

May 15, 2014 by EW

Birding on the West River with the Vermont Land Trust

DATE: Saturday, May 17
TIME: 7:30 –10:00 am
PLACE: Riverstone Preserve, Brattleboro
River corridors provide important habitat for migratory and breeding birds. Grab your binoculars and join VLT’s Kerry Doyle on Saturday May 17 for a morning of birding along the West River Trail in Brattleboro. Co-sponsored with Friends of the West River. RSVP appreciated but not necessary. Meet at the Rice Farm Road trailhead access to the West River Trail. Click HERE to register. Click HERE for a map. If you have questions, contact Sharon at 802-262-1241 or sharon@vlt.org. Hope to see you there!

May 5, 2014 by EW

West River Trail Detour Open at Southern Trailhead

New by-pass trail heading south toward Brattleboro

Looking down at the bypass trail from the spur to New Chapter

Trail to the left is the spur to New Chapter

Great news! The trail detour around the I-91 bridge construction has been completed, and the southern trailhead near the Marina Restaurant is now open. The ephemeral spring wildflowers are profuse. It is a good time to get out and explore the Riverstone Preserve and the West River Trail. Photos by Alex Wilson.

Here’s the update from Jason Cooper:
Over the last couple of weeks we have been able to re-route the part of the trail between the interstate bridge and the trailhead by the Marina Restaurant. Thanks to the generous support of: Adam Winstanley, who permitted us to move the trail on to his property, PCL, the interstate bridge contractor, J. Evans construction, who skillfully built the new trail segment, and several volunteers, we are open at last.
The new section of trail passes under the interstate on the hill just below the bridge abutment. This location offers a great vantage point to watch the bridge construction. Today I watched them drilling holes for the new bridge footings. Happy Trails.
To access the detour trail from the Marina trailhead, look carefully for a small yellow sign & turn right up the hill. Look closely and take care – the sign is easy to miss. See photo below.

April 27, 2014 by EW

Brattleboro Bridge Replacement: The Lower Section Trail is Open

Though the lower section of the West River Trail is closed at the Marina Trailhead, the northern trailhead at Rice Farm Road is open.

The Friends of the West River Trail are developing an alternate trail route that will be available for use soon. Notice will be provided when all measures are completed for the alternate trail. Stay tuned!

If you’re out on the trail with your pets and animals, please clean up after them. While most people clean up litter and waste from their dogs, there are some that don’t. Please consider other users and the environment and clean up after you pet.