Category Archives: Bellingham

Bellingham, Franklin, SNETT

FBRTC announces new benches installed on the SNETT

The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is pleased to announce that 4 new benches have been installed along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT), enhancing comfort and accessibility for trail users.

The benches were paid for with a combination of a MassTrails grant that was awarded in November, and fundraising proceeds raised at events like our recent Rail Trail 5k.

The process began during the summer of 2024 when the committee sent out a survey to the community asking what improvements they would like. The committee then surveyed the trail, and determined 4 locations that would benefit from new benches. The team then worked with MA DCR to get a quote for acquiring and installing the benches, and used that information to apply for a Mass Trails grant. The grant was submitted in February 2025, and grant winners were originally supposed to be notified in June 2025. Due to unexpected circumstances, the grants were not awarded until November 2025. With a compressed timeline, FBRTC worked with DCR to coordinate the preparation of the sites for the benches, and then assemble and install the benches.

The four new benches were installed along the 2.3-mile stretch of the SNETT between Spring Street in Franklin and Center Street in Bellingham.

“These new benches will greatly improve comfort and accessibility for all trail users,” said Darren McNamara, FBRTC Vice President. “The most common feedback we’ve received is that the lack of seating made it difficult for some—particularly those with mobility challenges—to fully enjoy the trail. This project demonstrates how local advocacy groups like FBRTC can work hand-in-hand with state agencies to improve quality of life in our communities.”

FBRTC is a volunteer-led advocacy organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. Earlier this year, the committee played a key role in advocating for the use of Community Preservation Act funds in Franklin to purchase disused freight rail land—extending the SNETT by 1.75 miles into downtown Franklin. The group’s ongoing priorities include improving the Franklin–Bellingham section of the trail and advancing connectivity toward Blackstone.

FBRTC extends its sincere thanks to Kevin Hollenbeck and Raymond Longvall from Massachusetts DCR for their help in procuring and installing the benches, as well as to state and local officials, sponsors, and donors who supported this effort. Those interested in getting involved with FBRTC’s trail improvement and advocacy efforts are encouraged to contact fbrtcommittee@gmail.com.

Bellingham, Franklin, Road Race, SNETT

15th Annual Trail Race Raises Over $8000 for Trail Improvements

The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the 5K race hosted by the Tri-Valley Front Runners (TVFR), which raised over $8000 to support trail improvements. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to TVFR, and especially to Mark Capparella, the TVFR race director, and his team for their unwavering support and exceptional organization of this event. At the most recent FBRTC meeting, Mark and the TVFR team presented FBRTC President Paul Stamp & FBRTC race director Sue Fleuette with a donation of $6016. That donation will go towards the committee’s efforts to advocate for continued development and maintenance of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). TVFR also donated race proceeds to the Franklin Food Pantry in Franklin and St Blaise Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Bellingham. Along with the donation from TVFR, over $2500 in donations were received from from local businesses, including the event’s Platinum Sponsor, Body Fit Training (BFT) Franklin Village

Pictured: Darren McNamara (FBRTC), Mark Capparella, Anthony Landry, Jill Duhaime (TVFR President), Michael Dalesio, Stephen Sullivan, Paul Stamp (FBRTC), Sue Fleuette (FBRTC).

The Tri-Valley Front Runners, the premier running organization in the Tri-Valley region, took over the production of this race in 2019 when Dave Labonte, the former director, stepped down. Steve Pohnert, a member of both FBRTC and TVFR, facilitated this transition, and since then, TVFR has continuously supported our cause. The event resumed with a virtual race in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an in-person road race in 2022, and in 2023, we successfully hosted our first trail race.

TVFR, founded in the early 1980s, is an all-inclusive, vibrant running club that welcomes runners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. They organize a variety of events, including road races, trail runs, track workouts, and group training runs, fostering a sense of community and promoting healthy living. For more information about TVFR, visit Tri-Valley Front Runners.

The FBRTC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use and development of the SNETT. Our mission is to create, promote, and maintain a safe and accessible trail system that benefits the communities of Franklin and Bellingham. Learn more about our efforts at Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail.

The May 16th 5K race saw a total of 177 finishers, just shy of the record 184 finishers in the 2024 race. The success of this event is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between our volunteers and the TVFR team, including community volunteers and TVFR members who participated in the race.

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate our top finishers: Daniel Kurczy of Bellingham, who won the overall men’s category, and Bethany Prostano of New York who won the overall women’s category. A total of 58 medals were awarded across various age groups, celebrating the spirit and competitiveness of all participants. Full race results can be found at 2026 FBRTC 5K Results.

The next race is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2027. We look forward to another successful event and continued support from our community. For more information on how to get involved or support the FBRTC, please visit our website.

Bellingham, Franklin, SNETT

FBRTC announces grant award for benches on SNETT

The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a MassTrails Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The funding will be used to install additional seating along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT), enhancing comfort and accessibility for trail users.

MassTrails grants are awarded by DCR to support the development, maintenance, and improvement of recreational and shared-use trails across the Commonwealth.

This grant will provide the majority of funding needed to install four new benches along the 2.8-mile stretch of the SNETT between Grove Street in Franklin and Center Street in Bellingham. The remaining funds will be provided by FBRTC and its generous community sponsors and donors.

“These new benches will greatly improve comfort and accessibility for all trail users,” said Darren McNamara, FBRTC President. “The most common feedback we’ve received is that the lack of seating made it difficult for some—particularly those with mobility challenges—to fully enjoy the trail. This project demonstrates how local advocacy groups like FBRTC can work hand-in-hand with state agencies to improve quality of life in our communities.”

FBRTC is a volunteer-led advocacy organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. Earlier this year, the committee played a key role in advocating for the use of Community Preservation Act funds in Franklin to purchase disused freight rail land—extending the SNETT by 1.75 miles into downtown Franklin. The group’s ongoing priorities include improving the Franklin–Bellingham section of the trail and advancing connectivity toward Blackstone.

FBRTC extends its sincere thanks to the Massachusetts DCR, as well as to state and local officials, sponsors, and donors who supported this successful grant application. Those interested in getting involved with FBRTC’s trail improvement and advocacy efforts are encouraged to contact fbrtcommittee@gmail.com.

Bellingham, Franklin, SNETT

Department of Conservation & Recreation publishes plans for SNETT

Last year, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) had prepared draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for several locations inside the Blackstone Complex.   The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) was one of the properties targeted for improvements.

Earlier this year, DCR posted the finalized version of the RMP for the SNETT on their website here.

The RMP covers the entire trail, from Franklin to Douglas. With regards to the portion of the trail that runs through Franklin, Bellingham and Blackstone (identified as the East Section in the report), there were the following items of interest:

Page 17 –  An opportunity exists to increase engagement with user groups and local communities to continue improving the SNETT.

Page 19 – The various property owners that need to be engaged on the portions of the trail West of South Main Street in Bellingham.

Page 33 – Improve trail signage and mile markers.

Page 34 – Install bike repair stations in Franklin & Bellingham, similar to what is currently in Blackstone.

Page 35 – Improve the trail from downtown Blackstone to South Main Street in Bellingham.  Work with the town or Franklin to extend the SNETT eastward.

Bellingham, Franklin, Road Race, SNETT

The Rail Trail 5k is less than 2 weeks away!

Race signs are now up along the trail!

With less than two weeks until the race, you still have time to register.

FBRTC 5k Online Registration

Online registration closes on Thursday, May 15.

Once online registration closes, you can still register in person.

In person registration will be available at the following locations:

Friday, May 16 : 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Bib Pickup – Timeless Crossfit

90 Hayward Street, Franklin

Saturday, May 18 : 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM

Race Day – Grove Street Trailhead


We are also looking for a couple more volunteers to assist with the 5k.

If you are interested, sign up here.