 Wachusett Greenways Connecting the Wachusett Community with Trails and Greenways
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1900's Photos of Oakdale MA and the Mass Central
R.R.
Springdale
Mill History Project
Self guided tour of the
Springdale Mill Site and sign interpretation
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Mass Central Rail Trail and Wachusett Greenways Who is Wachusett Greenways? Wachusett Greenways is an all-volunteer non-profit group, established in 1995, whose mission is to link the communities of the Wachusett region with trails and greenways. By building and maintaining trails and by leading free trail events year round, we help thousands of families and people to become more active and connect to the outdoors and to each other. What is the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT)? Once the 104-mile route of the railroad that ran from Northampton to Boston, the Mass Central Rail Trail is being restored as a multi-use greenway. Bicyclists, walkers, runners, baby strollers and young cyclists with training wheels, wheel chair users, cross country skiers and nature enthusiasts can all enjoy the trail. The Mass Central Rail Trail is listed as a priority cross-state trail in the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Commonwealth Connections. Wachusett Greenways and our partners have completed 11 miles and installed four bridges on the planned 30-mile central section of the 104-mile trail. Other sections of the MCRT include the Norwottuck Trail at the Northampton end, and the proposed Ware, Hardwick, Wayside and Community Path Trails are all part of the MCRT. Where is the Wachusett Greenways rail trail? Wachusett Greenways is building the central 30 miles of the rail trail through Sterling, West Boylston, Holden, Rutland, and Oakham. Who is building the trail? Wachusett Greenways, our Towns, state and federal agencies, foundations, businesses and other groups are all partners in building and maintaining the MCRT. Together these groups have already contributed nearly $1.2 million or more than half the $2 + million required to build 30 miles of the Rail Trail. The Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Wachusett Towns have played a vital role in developing the trail. Wachusett Greenways, the project coordinator, is a non-profit all-volunteer group established in 1995 to connect the Wachusett community with trails and greenways. How will this trail be maintained? Each town has committed to maintaining the rail trail with mowing and trail bed and drainage repair and maintenance which requires machinery. Wachusett Greenways trail team volunteers do maintenance including tree and brush removal, litter patrol, drainage care, entry landscaping and signage. Trail patrollers also adopt trail sections completing some maintenance, greeting trail users and informing Greenways of larger maintenance issues. Who cares about this trail? Hundreds of Wachusett Greenways volunteers have contributed countless hours to help build and maintain the trail. Thousands of neighbors enjoy using the trail year round. Where are the eleven miles of the Mass Central Rail Trail open now? · 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· Rutland from Wachusett Street south to the Holden line--1 mile· Rutland from Glenwood Road to Route 56--1.3 miles· Rutland from the Charnock Hill Road to Barrack Hill Road to Rutland State Park entrance road to Route 122 and the Midstate Trail--1.5 milesPlease explain the West Boylston Route 140 bridge and the Rutland Route 56 tunnel. These two projects are important for connecting the rail trail safely at these state highways. Through the introduction by Senators Harriette Chandler and Steven Brewer and support of our Central Mass delegation, the legislature committed $1 million in the 2002 Transportation Bond Bill. This money for the 140 bridge and 56 tunnel is above and beyond the $2+ million dollars which will be used to construct the basic trail. The continued support of our legislators, our governor and the executive branch of our government including the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass Highway Department, our towns, regional planning agencies, and others will be needed to see these two critical projects to completion. The Route 140 bridge in West Boylston will be a 160-foot bridge over the Stillwater River adjacent to the highway bridge. The Route 56 tunnel in Rutland will restore the railroad tunnel under the highway just north of Rutland center. What’s the Charnock Hill Road Tunnel project on the Mass Central Rail Trail? During the summer of 2006 the Rutland Department of Public Works and Wachusett Greenways are building the Charnock Hill Road Tunnel in Rutland. Two generous grants are helping to build the tunnel and attached section of trail. The 2006 Commonwealth budget includes a $100,000 matching grant introduced by Representative Lew Evangelidis and supported by all Central Mass legislators, and the George I. Alden Trust has offered a $100,000 challenge grant to help build this trail connection. What’s The Springdale Mill Interpretive Site? This mill site is along the MCRT (Springdale Mill River Walk) in Holden just beyond the West Boylston town line. Many have passed the site unaware that a bustling woolen mill once operated right here on the river. The site of the old mill and its tenant village are now highlighted with an interpretive trail and granite markers. Visit the web site: www.springdalemill.org. Does Wachusett Greenways build other trails? Yes, we built the White Oak Trail, a 4-mile trail connected to Holden’s Trout Brook Reservation, and we hope to build and maintain more hiking trails in the future. Where do I find information about Wachusett Greenways events and membership? Visit us at www.wachusettgreenways.org. Write Wachusett Greenways at Box 121, Holden MA 01520. Or call 508-829-3954. We offer trail tours and clearing opportunities year-round and schedule many other educational events and field trips throughout the year. We welcome new members and volunteers. Memberships are just $20 an individual, and $30 for a family, $50 for businesses and groups. Members receive a large full color map of all the trails and open spaces in the Wachusett towns, our newsletter, and invitations to all Greenways events. You also get the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to build and maintain a rail trail close to home, for all to enjoy.
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