Wachusett Greenways

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                                             Frequently Asked Questions

                          Who is Wachusett Greenways and What is the Mass Central Rail Trail?

 Wachusett Greenways?

Connections!  Wachusett Greenways helps connect people to the outdoors and to each other by building and helping to maintain trails including the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) and by leading free trail events year round.  Members, volunteers, the Wachusett communities and the Commonwealth, in particular the Department of Conservation and Recreation, are vital partners.

 Wachusett Greenways is an all-volunteer non-profit group established at the end of 1994.

Members, volunteers and donors find us at www.wachusettgreenways.org or send their contributions to Wachusett Greenways at P. O. Box 121, Holden, MA 01520.

 What’s the Pommogussett Tunnel and Trail Project?

New connection in Rutland center with four big benefits:

• Link two sections of the MCRT with the installation of a tunnel under Pommogussett Road (Route 56).
• Connect the MCRT along Miles Road.
• Establish a Welcome Center at 21 Miles Road.
• Conserve 15 acres of land near the Thayer Pond Fish and Wildlife land.

     During the summer of 2011 Wachusett Greenways completed the 80’ tunnel Pommogussett to connect the trail at Rutland Center.  In December 2010 Greenways purchased the property at 21 Miles Road.  The next phase of the project is making the Welcome Center accessible and completing the trail connection along about 500’ to the Miles Road trail entrance.

     The Pommogussett Tunnel and Trail Campaign is to raise $600,000 to build the tunnel and establish the Welcome Center. Generous donors including individuals, businesses, local foundations and the Commonwealth Department of Conservation and Recreation Partnership Grant program have already contributed $460,000. 

 What is the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT)?

     Once a 104-mile railroad traveling from Northampton to Boston, the right-of-way is now being restored as a multi-use trail. The section of the Mass Central Rail Trail which Wachusett Greenways and our partners are building is the central 30 miles through Sterling, West Boylston, Holden, Rutland and Oakham.  We have completed 16 miles of our planned 30 mile central section. Our first one-mile section was completed in 1997 in West Boylston.  To date we have installed eight bridges and two tunnels or underpasses.  The newest bridge—110 feet long, was installed in Oakham during the summer of 2010.

 Who are the partners building the MCRT in central Mass.?

     Wachusett Greenways, our Towns, state agencies, foundations, businesses and other groups are all integral partners in building and maintaining the MCRT.  Together these groups have already contributed well over half the $3 million required to build 30 miles of the Rail Trail. The Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Wachusett Towns play a vital role in developing the trail. Wachusett Greenways is the project coordinator. The cost of the 30 miles of trail is about $3 million--a true bargain compared with the cost of other trails.  (In some places just one mile of trail costs more than one million dollars.)  Contributions from Greenways friends and members have ranged from $5 gifts to $160,000. Local foundations have stepped up to contribute to the rail trail construction with benefits for the greater Worcester community.            

 How is the Wachusett Greenways section of the trail constructed?

      The trail is constructed with a stone dust-paved surface which is good for bicycling, walking, strollers, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and wheelchairs.

 Who cares about this trail?

• People of all ages who enjoy the trail each day.
• Young people earning their Eagle Boy Scout and Gold Girl Scout awards, and other girl and boy scout troops who helped clear trail and landscape the trail entrance.
• School groups such as the Bancroft School and Nativity School students who learn environmental stewardship.
• Mass Association for the Blind clients who have toured the trail.
• Track teams from area high schools and colleges.
• Regional groups including Seven Hills Wheelmen and Central Mass Striders.
• Members and donors who contribute funds and countless volunteer hours for the trail.

 Where is the Mass Central Rail Trail complete now?

            Sixteen miles are open:

·        Sterling from Sterling center at the Cider Mill to Gates Road-- 1.7 miles

·        West Boylston/Holden from Oakdale to River Street along the Quinapoxet River-- 3 miles

·        Holden Connector from River Street to Manning Street to Mill Street-- 2.2 miles off the rail bed and over two hills

·        Rutland from Wachusett Street south to the Holden line—1.2 miles

·        Rutland from Glenwood Road to Miles Road-- 1.7 miles

·        Rutland from Miles Road to the Muddy Pond outlet at Route 122—4.1 miles

·        Oakham from Muddy Pond outlet to Route 122 crossing to Coldbrook Road—2 miles.

 What’s next?

            The October 2011 snowstorm with high winds and heavy wet snow caused hundreds of trees to fall along the rail trail.  Wachusett Greenways volunteers are busy clearing the trail from Sterling to Barre during fall 2011 and will continue into the winter as weather conditions allow.  All volunteers are welcome!  Contact Colleen Abrams 508-479-2123 or colleen.abrams@verizon.net.

           In 2012 Wachusett Greenways will continue building the trail west more than one mile to the Ware River crossing in Barre.  This project will require placing a new bridge over Niger Brook in White Valley and improving the Ware River crossing.