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Celebrate Enosburg’s history in a day-long, community event on Saturday, Octobert 7, 2000 in Enosburg Falls, Held in conjunction with the Enosburg Business Association’s Apple Fest, the event includes activities such as old fashioned children’s games, square dancing, tours of historic sites by horsedrawn wagon, cemetery stone rubbings, BBQ, people in period dress, and items for sale at period prices! Visit the Rail Trail Council at its booth for a peek into the trail’s history as a railroad in Enosburg Falls!
The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail celebrated its first National Trails Day in Enosburg Falls on June 11, 2000. The Rail Trail Council sponsored several activities: nature guide Chas Salmon lead a guided Trail walk; the Enosburg Town Band performed on the Village Green; Wetherbee’s catered a chicken barbecue lunch; and several organizations set up exhibits on the Green. The enticing smells of barbecuing chickens wafted Trails Day around Enosburg Falls all morning. By the time they were ready, we had a lineup of hungry people! The Council appreciates the many types of support it received for the event - volunteer labor, the use of equipment and space, cash donations. Many thanks to all for their part in making National Trails Day on the MVRT a Success!
When work gets done along the trail, who does it? Individuals, of course, and usually volunteers who enjoy the spirit and comradery of working as a team. Over 20 volunteers teamed up in August to mow grass, trim shrubs, and weed the gardens at the parking area in St. Albans. Their efforts mean trail users can enjoy the beautiful flowers and shrubs year-after-year! Our sincere thanks to Council members, Friends of the Trail, CVPS Greenteam members, and participants in the Franklin County Court Diversion program for their teamwork. To volunteer for our team workdays, contact Cynthia at (802) 933-8851. Families are welcome.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation has hired Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) of Bedford, NH to design the Sheldon Junction Bridge Replacement project. The project will replace a missing bridge segment, rehabilitate the existing bridge segments, and connect the temporary Trail ends in Sheldon Junction. A Steering Committee was formed and includes representatives from VAOT, VT Dept. of Forests, Parks & Recreation, the Rail Trail Council, VAST, the Town of Sheldon, neighboring property owners, and the Northwest Regional Planning Commission. VIB staff and the Committee have discussed design features, such as type of gates, fencing, and handrails, historic preservation issues, and needs of the trail groomer. The project is on schedule for construction in Spring 2002.
The MVRT won a designation as a Community Millennium Trail from the White House Millennium Council. The designation honors trails that have a special value to their community; that support the White House Millennium Council’s mission to "honor the past and imagine the future of its community; and that bring together individuals, groups and organizations from the local community in collaborative support of the trail. The Millennium Trail program was set up as part of the White House Millennium Council’s efforts to recognize the unique contributions to local culture and lore made by trails around the country. Congratulations Franklin County!
‘Riding the Missisquoi Rail Trail’ premiered in "Vermont Life’s" Autumn 2000 issue. The article complimented the trail’s constantly changing landscape and authentic view of rural life in Vermont. Author Andrew Nemethy accepted his adventurous trip through a cattle crossing with grace — we encourage you to walk your bicycle at these few crossings to avoid becoming a self-propelled manure spreader! Riding the trail in both directions provided an unexpected pleasure for Mr. Nemethy. He discovered that the scenery heading east and heading west looks like you are riding two different trails.
Since the article was published in mid-August, it has generated more than 100 requests for Rail Trail Guides. Readers in Vermont and other states, like Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, California, and Virginia have requested guides. In fact, about half the requests are from other states - and they continue to arrive daily! "Vermont Life" is a quarterly magazine available by subscription of at newsstands throughout Vermont.
The Council is continuing its efforts to construct and improve six parking areas along the Trail. Parking areas in St. Albans, Sheldon Junction, and North Sheldon have been completed. Design plans for the parking areas at Greens Corner (Swanton), East Berkshire, and Richford are in progress. Phase I of the project was funded through a 1998 VAOT Transportation Enhancement Program grant. The Council is applying for a 2000 Enhancement grant for Phase II of the project, construction of the final three parking areas. The Council appreciates the assistance it has received from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, VAOT District 8, and the Town of Richford.
Three information kiosks were constructed for the MVRT through a grant from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, The kiosks, which will be installed at the new parking areas, will display maps of the Trail and information like educational materials, services, safety tips. We are very grateful to the VYCC crew for their wonderful job.
We also wish to thank the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation for supervising kiosk
construction, and the Agency of Transport for moving and storing the kiosks.
The Trail is a wonderful place for dog walking, not to mention for walking a dog’s two-legged partner. Share-the-Trail custom recommends placing a dog on-leash to create a more enjoyable environment for trail users and neighbors. Large dogs, barking dogs, or off-leash dogs can intimidate people even if a bark is a friendly one. Leashes are not required on the trail State law does require all owners to have control of their pet at all times This control can be voice or leash control.
Leashes are required in four municipalities along the trail: St. Albans City, Sheldon, Enosburg Falls, and Richford. Please remember to bring a leach and snap it on your dog when leaving the trail to buy a creemee or use a restroom. Dog owners should also be aware that dogs on properties next to the trail might not be on-leash, and may be curious or protective of their yards. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, we recommend that owners have their dog on-leash at all times.
Thank you to the following Friends of the Trails for renewing their membership for the coming year:
Jim & Jennell Watson
Lawrence M. Logan
Mary Glenn Stueber
Sandra Bruggemann
Steve & Ellen McNeil
Welcome and thank you to new Friends. Your Friendship represents a valued investment in the future of our families, our businesses, and our communities.
The Rail Trail Council greatly appreciates its many sources of support — volunteers, membership fees, media coverage, and donations of goods, services, and funds.
Call the Vermont Agency of Transportation, District 8 office at (802) 524-5926.
Everyone’s a winner when generous people like Eleanor Dodd take personal pride in the Trail! This spring at the North Sheldon parking area, Eleanor built a flower bed, which she lovingly tends every day. Eleanor is an avid Rail Trail user, covering 5 to 10 miles or more every day; she even keeps a trash bag in hand whether she bicycles, walks or cross-country skis. Eleanor’s children and grandchildren frequently accompany her on her outings, proving that the Rail Trail is truly a resource for all ages to enjoy! Thank you very much, Eleanor, for the time you spend making the North Sheldon parking area so attractive.
Updated on March 26, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <Webmaster@new-england-rail-trails.org>.
Unintentional errors are likely!
