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Unpaved trail open for public use on an informal basis southwest of the railroad bridge at the outlet of Whitney Pond
Maps are available on the Winchendon Page of the North Central Pathway Pages of this Web Site.
Looking west along trail as it runs along Water St.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on July 24, 2000.
Trail users that wish to reach the shops that line Central Street should leave the trail at the Route 12 crossing.
The trail curves further to the east as it crosses Route 12 and continues between the weeds and trees across Spring Street. The trail then curves back towards the north as it approaches the two railroad bridges. This trail appears to form a junction with the North Central Pathway (Gardner-Winchendon) at the south end of the bridges. By turning very sharply at the south end of the bridges, users of this rail-trail can easily reach the parking area at Glenallen Road, and can likewise continue their trip as far as desired towards Gardner.
For public safety reasons, both of these abandoned railroad bridges are currently closed to public use. Close inspection will show a substantial gap between each of the railroad ties on the bridge that is very hazardous to most kinds of trail users.
The rehabilitation of of either railroad bridge for the North Central Pathway and the associated trail construction to the Winchendon Recreation Complex will also benefit the users of both rail-trails to easily reach the facilities of the recreation complex as well as reaching the stores and restaurants along Central Avenue. Last but not least, the rehabilitation of these bridges will be helpful to folks that wish to continue their journey on either of two rail-trails that cross the State Line into New Hampshire.
Rail-trail users must note that four rail-trails currently converge at Winchendon:
Cheshire Branch Rail-trail to Keene and Westmoreland NH
Monadnock Branch Rail-trail to Jaffrey NH
North Central Pathway to Gardner MA
Ware River Rail-Trail to Coldbrook.
More information and pictures are available on the Winchendon Page of the North Central Pathway of this Web Site.
Trail facilities and services are listed on the Winchendon Page of the North Central Pathway of this Web Site.
