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On Saturday, June 2nd, the Cross Vermont Trail Association and the Blue Mountain Union (BMU) School in Newbury/Wells River will host their fourth annual National Trails Day event. Come and volunteer for a day of trail work, guided hikes and bike rides, a raffle, and a barbecue. Participants meet in the BMU parking lot at 10AM. For more information contact Mike Thomas at (802) 757-3960, or Eric Scharnberg at (802) 828-5696. Rain Date Sunday, June 3.
On Wednesday, June 6th, you can join the students, parents, and staff of Twinfield Union School in their second annual "Bike the Bed" ride. Twinfield serves the families of Marshfield and Plainfield, and the goal of this ride is for students to ride their bikes to school on the former Montpelier-Wells River railbed, which is a safe and fun alternative to Route 2. See flier on back of this page for details and contact information.
This is an opportunity to ride your mountain bike, check out some historic remnants of the former railbed, and learn something about local plants and wildlife. You must have a mountain bike and a helmet -terrain is rocky and uneven in places. We will meet in east Montpelier at 9AM, Saturday, June 23rd, and will ride out to Plainfield and back. Total distance: 7 miles round trip. Please call first if you plan to attend. Contact: Eric Scharnberg (802) 828-5696.
Nona Estrin of East Montpelier has recently joined the Cross Vermont Trail Association’s board of directors. She brings with her a wealth of experience from working for many years with East Montpelier Trails, Inc. as a boardmember. She plans to help with trail outreach efforts in Montpelier, East Montpelier, and Plainfield, VT.
This January, Brien Chartier, our education intern, completed a wonderful educational slideshow. The images were scanned and formatted with the generous use of the PLUIMMS digital image laboratory facilities at Johnson State College, where Brien was a student. Brien has since graduated and has moved to California, where he is now studying to be a law enforcement park ranger. Thanks to Brien for all of his hard work. Anyone interested in viewing the slideshow can contact the CVT coordinator at 828-5696.
Connecticut River Joint Commissions Partnership Program ($4000): This April, the Connecticut River Joint Commissions awarded a Partnership Program grant of $4000 for a week of work by a "Kingdom Corps" youth crew in August on the Wells River Conservation Area and the Cross Vermont Trail in Newbury, Vermont. The "Kingdom Corps" is a project of the Vermont Leadership Center.
2001 Enhancements ($136,000), and Vermont Recreation Trails Fund ($36,000): This February, the Wells River Segment of the Cross Vermont Trail was awarded $136,000 from the 2001 Enhancements program, (which uses surplus federal highway monies) to further fund technical plans and construction of the 1-91 Underpass project in Newbury. This March, the same trail section was awarded $36,000 from the Vermont Recreation Trails Fund to provide match for the Enhancements grant.
Earl’s Cyclery and Fitness ($100): Located in Williston, VT, Earl’s Cyc!ery and Fitness is a bicycle and sports shop that has a strong commitment to recreation and education in the local community. They recently donated $100 to the Cross Vermont Trail Association. We salute their generous contribution.
Join in the fun of biking to and from school along the old railroad bed that runs through the woods behind the school. Below is a map of the ride, important details, and a sign-up form. If your children (staff and parents are encouraged to participate too!) plan to join in the ride, please fill out the form and return it by Wednesday. May 30.
Key (traffic assistance available at each point)
- (1) Ride starts in Marshfield where bed crosses Upper Depot Rd.
- (2) Trail follows path off of bed and next to sand pit
- (3) Intersection of bed and Nasrnith Brook Rd.
- (4) Bottom of school's entrance
- (5) Parking area for bikes
- (6) Ride starts in Plainfield where bed meets Main St.
- (7) Intersection of bed and John Fowler Rd
If you have questions that this sheet does not answer, please contact Owen Bradley, Mike Clark or Eric Schamberg at Twinfield, or Les Snow (426-3800) or Mary Ann Klimas (454-4627).
• Rain date is Thursday, June 7.
• All riders must wear a helmet. Please check your child’s bike to make sure it is in safe condition.
• Plan to ride from either the Marshfield (i) or Plainfield (6) end. Check-in lime is 7:15am (Marshfield) or 7:30am (Plainfield).
• The ride is not intended for kindergartners nor bikers using training wheels.
• The ride can take from 20 to 30 minutes (Plainfield) or 30 to 50 minutes (Marshfield) and there are some strenuous parts (especially the afternoon ride). If you think your child may have trouble finishing the ride please ride with him/her or try a shortened version (from/to point (7).
• Plan to leave your child’s backpack with a volunteer at the starting point. It will be transported to school where your child will pick it up.
• Adults and/or older students will be stationed at all the numbered points on the map in order to assist riders with rough terrain and at road intersections. To help make this a fun and safe event, please take time to discuss safe bike riding with your child.
• Traffic cones will be placed along the Nasmith Brook Road portion of the route. At points (1), (3), (4), (6), (7) signs will warn approaching motorists of bicycle traffic.
• The parking area outside the front entrance to the elementary wing will be dedicated to bicycle parking during the day. The bikes will not be available to students during the school day. Have your child use a bike lock if you feel it is necessary.
• Please supply your child with a full water bottle if his/her bike has a place for it.
Student(s) name(s) _____________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Grade(s)_____________________________________
Starting from/returning to: Marshfield(1) Plainfield(6)(circle one)
I will / will not (circle one) be biking with my child(ren)
My child(ren) will be: biking both ways / biking just to school / biking just from school (circle one)
My child(ren) will / will not (circle one) be biking home from the end of the bed at the end of the day. If not, please be sure to pick up biker(s). Pick up time will vary from 20 to 50 minutes after school, depending on each biker’s speed.
Parent / Guardian name (printed)_______________________
Parent! Guardian signature ___________________________
Phone (day) ___________________ (night)_____________
If you think you might be able to help with "Bike the Bed" day in some way please check one or more of the following. We will contact you — Thanks!
Copied on May 29, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <Webmaster@new-england-rail-trails.org>
from the printed newsletter using a scanner and OCR software.
Unintentional errors are likely!
