January 16, 2014 by EW

Friends of the West River Trail Acquire and Conserve Key Land Parcel

The following article was originally published in The Commons issue #237 (Wednesday, January 15, 2014). To read the full article click here.

BRATTLEBORO—The Friends of the West River Trail and the Vermont Land Trust completed the purchase and conservation of a 23-acre parcel along the West River about a half-mile north of the Interstate 91 bridge. Renamed the Riverstone Preserve, this ecologically diverse site is nestled between the river and the corridor of the historic former West River Railroad.
The West River Trail, now occupying that corridor, is a dominant feature of the property. The trail is used for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and other non-motorized activities.
The Friends of the West River Trail and the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) worked together to purchase and conserve this parcel. The two organizations received a $65,050 grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) and raised $32,200 in local funds and foundation grants. The Friends own the property and future uses will be in accordance with a conservation easement held by VHCB and VLT. “The Friends are so pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the Vermont Land Trust to conserve this piece of land,” said Kathleen White. “We are grateful to VHCB for the award and to all the donors that helped make this possible, and are excited about how public access to this land will benefit the community.” The land has an unusually rich complement of natural communities, including a floodplain forest, river shore grasslands, and river cobble shore. There are also several rare and uncommon plants, insects, and mussels, whose habitat is now protected.
“The Friends are a dynamic group of volunteers,” said Joan Weir, southeast regional director with the Vermont Land Trust. “It’s been a pleasure to work on this project and we look forward to seeing the continued active stewardship of this treasured resource”. The Friends sought to protect this property because of its ecological features and the recreational, scenic, and educational benefits the land can provide to the greater Brattleboro community.
Plans include enhancing the trail’s accessibility as a community amenity for recreation and school field trips. A picnic area and side trails that provide access to the river shore are envisioned.

July 11, 2013 by EW

Trail Run/Walk to Benefit the West River Trail July 27

Mother-daughter runners on the lower section last summer. (Photo by Dede Cummings)

Please join us for a West River Trail Benefit Run/Walk on July 27, 2013 at 9:00 am.

This mass start, self-guided event will begin at the trailhead behind the Marina and follow the trail through picturesque natural settings which include beautiful views of the river.
Participants can run or walk as little or as much as they like*.
Mile markers on the first section (3.5 miles) to Rice Farm Road will help participants measure their progress.
A small group of runners will be running all the way to Townshend Dam.
There will be snacks and water near the Rice Farm Rd trailhead, and also upon return at the Marina trailhead.
A suggested donation of $20 will be collected upon sign-in at 8:30 the morning of the event. All proceeds will go to the Friends of the West River Trail for future trail development, enhancement and maintenance.

*Please note! This is a self-guided event and participants will need to return to the start on foot or make arrangements for a ride at the covered bridge in West Dummerston or beyond.

Please email questions to Tim Fleming at timspin@myfairpoint.net

May 6, 2013 by EW

The West River Trail and the Vermont Land Trust in the News

From the Brattleboro Reformer, May 4, 2013. Click <a title="brattleboro reformer wrt article" href="http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_23170574/west-river-trail-land-purchase-works?nstrack=sid:313768|met:0000300|cat:0|order:10&%2F%3Fsource=dailymeHERE to go to the full article.
The Vermont Land Trust and the Friends of the West River Trail are close to finalizing a deal to purchase 21 acres of land along the West River which would allow the conservation groups to add trails to the popular system and preserve land along the river.
The Vermont Land Trust is working with the local organization to purchase the land, which is on the northeast side of the river, across from the professional buildings on Route 30.
The trail has become a popular destination for bikers, walkers and runners since the Friends of the West River Trail improved the kiosk at the trail head and developed the access point near the Marina Restaurant.
Lester Humphreys, a member of the Friends of the West River Trail board, said the trail has seen an increase in use since the group put down crushed stone along the path last year. “People are hearing about it and they are definitely coming out,” he said. “They love it.”
The West River Trail has been developed over the past 15 years and the group has been slowly acquiring land along the river. Supporters hope to eventually develop the old railroad bed 36 miles, from Brattleboro all the way to South Londonderry.
Members of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps are expected to do work along the trail this summer.
Humphreys said the land deal is still a work in progress and the group is trying to raise the money needed to complete the transaction(follow this page for more information on what they are doing to raise money. If the deal goes through the group hopes to develop new trails and also do culvert and drainage repair and surfacing in the area. The Friends of the West River Trail has a grant request in with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. If the deal goes through the group will own the land and the Vermont Land Trust will hold the conservation easement to ensure that the land remains open to the public.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will be asked to endorse the land deal at its board meeting Tuesday.

May 2, 2013 by EW

50 Cups of Tea

Please join us at the Depot in South Londonderry for an Afternoon Tea featuring scrumptious sweet and savory treats, fresh flowers and favors. Saturday May 11th, 2:30 – 4 pm at the Depot, Route 100, South Londonderry, VT.

Inspired by local clay artist Susan Leader. To benefit Friends of the West River Trail. $25 per person, limited seating. Advance tickets available at Neighborhood Connections, Mountain Marketplace.
Questions? Please call 802-548-8247