Category Archives: SNETT

BIG NEWS! – Prospect st. tunnel funding approved!!

We are excited to announce that funding of the Prospect Street tunnel on the SNETT rail trail in Franklin, MA has been approved!!!

State Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin) and Rep. Mike Soter (R-Bellingham) shared this great news with the Franklin & Rail Trail Committee members, guests and visitors at our Tuesday’s meeting on September 10, 2019.

State Rep. Jeff Roy delivering the news about funding approval to FBRTC and community members.

The project will go out to bid in November 2019 and should be completed by the end of the summer/early fall of 2020.

The funding of this project is a result of many years of collective effort by FBRTC members, state legislators, DCR officials, Franklin and Bellingham Town officials and residents.

Town and State Officials present at the meeting (left to right): James Kupfer (Bellingham Town Planner), Cary Vandenakker (DCR Representative), Rep. Mike Soter (Bellingham), Melanie Hamblen (Franklin Town Councilor), Rep. Jeff Roy (Franklin), Marc Kaplan (FBRTC president)

“The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is proud to be the community advocate for the SNETT and the funding of the Prospect Street tunnel project,” said Marc Kaplan, FBRTC president. “The tunnel project solves a major impasse on the SNETT and creates a seamless connection between the towns of Franklin and Bellingham. When completed, the tunnel will help realize our mission of making a universally accessible trail for all ages and abilities and will improve the quality of life for residents. We would like to thank Representatives Roy and Soter and Senators Spilka and Rausch, as well as Franklin and Bellingham Town administrators for their leadership to secure funding for this important project, and the DCR for their tireless work and direct assistance in developing the SNETT rail trail.”

We cannot forget to also thank the Franklin Odd Fellows – the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee was originally formed in January 2009 as their community project!

We are so looking forward to see this project come to a completion!

Conceptual rendering (courtesy of DCR) of the tunnel (above), current state of the trail (below).

For additional, detailed information, please visit the following resources:

State Rep. Jeffrey Roy Blog

Milford Daily News

Summer views

So it is dog days of summer time of the year. Most people head out toward water, but the trails have their beauty in the summer too. Please enjoy some of the views that can be found along the SNETT trail. Photos were taken between the Center Street (Bellingham, MA) and Prospect Street (Franklin, MA). See you on the trail!

Lets Go Explore!

Enjoy a bike ride.
While walking/hiking, be on a lookout for kindness rocks.  They can be hiding anywhere along the trail.

Winter Magic
Winter brings a special magic to the trail. Enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing close to home all winter long.

Nature + Literature = StoryWalk®
The FBRTC (Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee) hosted several pop-up StoryWalks® . Laminated pages from a story book were posted along a path that lead children and their families further along the trail and into the story. Everyone enjoyed this unique adventure.

Bring your best friend
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail, but please be sure to clean up after them.

Monthly Group Walks
Please join the FBRTC members for our monthly group walks. Walks are announced via Facebook.

Please follow us on Facebook for future event announcements!