This Friday is the 2025 Strawberry Stroll in Downtown Franklin. We will be in the area of 4 Main Street, near Lynda’s Nails, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Come see us and hear what we’ve been up to with regards to the 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.
Thank you to all the participants who came out for the 5k this past weekend! We are grateful for all the sponsors, donors and volunteers who made this event happen. See you out on the trail this summer!
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.
We are happy to announce that the FBRTC is partnering again with the Tri-Valley Front Runners for our annual FBRTC 5K Road Race and Walk. The race is scheduled for May 17, 2025, and will be at the Grove Street trailhead. Race Registration can be found at the link below.
https://www.tri-valleyfrontrunners.com/fbrtc/FBRTC5K.php
We here at the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee are excited to share the news that the Franklin Town Council passed Resolution 24-74 at the November 20th meeting in order to purchase land to extend the SNETT towards downtown Franklin. The town allocated $2,570,000 to purchase a total of 19.51 acres between Grove Street and Union Street. Full details can be found on the town’s website.
While this news is very exciting, there is still much work to do, and it will be a few years until the 1.7 mile SNETT extension is ready for use. It will take a while for this complicated financial transaction to be completed. Then the existing rail infrastructure needs to be removed before the final pedestrian surface can be installed. Stay tuned for future updates!
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has prepared draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for several locations inside the Blackstone Complex. The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) is one of the properties targeted for improvements. Copies of the plan for the SNETT are available on the Blackstone RMPs web page.
A meeting was conducted on October 8 where DCR presented an initial draft of the RMPs for the Blackstone Complex. A recording of the meeting and the slideshow from the meeting are available online. DCR encourages the public to share additional feedback, with a deadline for receipt of comments by DCR of October 31st, 2024. Comments may be submitted via the DCR public comment portal. Please be sure to select “Blackstone RMPs” from the “Topic Selection” drop down so that your comments are included with the correct project. Please note that the content of comments you submit to DCR, along with your name, town, and zip code, will be posted on DCR’s website. Additional contact information required when commenting, notably email address, will only be used for outreach on future updates on the subject project or property.
