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Date: 11/17/2020
EASTHAMPTON – The Manhan Rail Trail has been recognized as a National Recreation Trail.
The announcement highlighting the Easthampton site, and 29 other trails, was made on Oct. 22 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt.
“We were thrilled to learn of the designation. Being a National Recreation Trail will give us access to many useful resources and increase our visibility,” Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail President Wendy Hammerle said.
Consideration for the recognition required an application, which Hammerle said included extensive data as well as photos and letters of support for the 6-mile, paved multi-use path, which connects the city’s downtown corridor, Pascommuck Trust Conservation Areas, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary and city parks, among other amenities and attractions.
“The process also included a site visit by a team of representatives from the National Recreation Trails. We began the application process in late spring of 2019,” Hammerle said. “Those of us who have been working on the Manhan Rail Trail for more than 20 years feel that the rail trail has been a catalyst to other improvements and economic development in the city of Easthampton. Receiving this designation really affirms what a huge asset the trail is to the city.”
Mayor Nicole LaChapelle also praised the new designation saying, “National designation of the Manhan Rail Trail is a standing testament to the vision of Rail Trail Committee. They saw the recreation and utility value of the railroad track to Easthampton and region.”
For more information, the National Recreation Trails website, www.americantrails.org, includes articles, resources, maps, and pictures.