Air Line Rail Trail News
November 21, 2007 -- two miles of the Air Line Rail Trail North Section are known as the Veteran's Memorial Greenway in Willimantic. The jewel of this section is a high steel bridge over the Natchaug River. Follow this link to the Photos Section to view some recent pictures of the paved trail.
November 5, 2007 -- Even though it was rainy and very cold, the 5th Annual Ghost Run & Relay Event was held on the Air Line Rail Trail and was a big success. Winner for the men was Roy Krause from Glastonbury, CT and for the women was Cheryl Edwards of Avon, CT. Participation totaled 204 runners (140 individuals and 64 in relay teams). All results of the race are at here. (http://www.hitekracing.com/results07/col1103.htm).
October 17, 2007 -- Connecticut DEP Temporarily Closes The Air Line Trail In East Hampton
For Repairs On Weekdays -- the Trail will be open weekends for regular use, however. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that the Air Line Trail in East Hampton will be temporarily closed, Monday through Friday only, beginning Monday, October 22, 2007 through Tuesday, January 1, 2008 from the Smith Street access point to the area just past the Rapallo Viaduct near Flat Brook Road. The trail will be closed so that the culvert at the Rapallo Viaduct can be reconstructed. The Air Line Trail will be open weekends and the Ghost Run scheduled for Saturday, November 3, 2007 will take place as scheduled. Construction work on the viaduct will include repair to the culvert under the viaduct and filling the sink hole on the north face of the viaduct. The DEP news release is here. Photos of the construction work are here.September 25, 2007 -- Air Line Rail Trail Segway Tours! Take an electric ride on the trail in Colchester on Saturday, October 20th, 2007, with tours starting hourly between 9 am thru 1 pm. See the beautiful fall foliage of the Air Line Rail Trail as you cruise along silently on a Segway. Each 1-hour tour will cover many miles of the trail on these unique, self-balancing devices. Tours will begin with a short lesson on operating the Segway. For ages 16 and up only. Spaces are limited - register with Colchester Parks & Recreation online here by October 12 . The cost is $65 per person.
September 25, 2007 -- The FIFTH annual GHOST RUN and RELAY EVENT is now scheduled!
Join the Hebron, Marlborough, Colchester, and East Hampton Parks & Recreation Departments and the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in its annual AIR LINE RAIL TRAIL GHOST RUN on Saturday, November 3 at 9 am. This is a 13.6 mile run/relay event along the Air Line Rail Trail starting from Hebron Elementary School and ending at Center Elementary School in East Hampton. Shuttle busses for all runners will run in both directions. Registration forms are available here or at the Parks & Recreation Department of each of the participating towns. In Halloween tradition, the event will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Can't run that far? Call the Parks & Recreation Department of any of the towns and volunteer to help out.
September 1, 2007 -- New Trail Brochure & Map. The towns of East Hampton, Hebron, Colchester, and Lebanon have collaborated on a new trail map and brochure available at the the town halls, libraries, Parks & Recreation Departments, and other locations in the towns. Featured in the new trail map are photos by Stan Malcolm. The new trail guide is here (http://www.easthamptonct.org/pdf/park/airline_trail.pdf).
August 31, 2007 -- Make your plans now to explore the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor as part of the seventeenth annual Walking Weekends on October 5 thru 8 and October 12 thru 14, 2007. You will have two weekends to enjoy any of the more than 100 free, guided walks and experience the natural, historical and cultural treasures in "The Last Green Valley" highlighted against the region's autumn splendor. Two walks feature the Air Line Rail Trail - #1 titled "Earth and Air" in Lebanon at 10 am on October 5, and #9 called "Around Pine Acres Pond" in Hampton on October 6 at 9:30 am. Walks #61 and #82 are planned on the Moosup Valley Rail Trail in Plainfield. The entire schedule with maps and directions is available here (http://www.thelastgreenvalley.org/publications/brochures/WWweb07.pdf).
August 31, 2007 -- No Child Left Inside. The Air Line Rail Trail is a featured activity for the weekend of 08/31/2007 on Connecticut's 'No Child Left Inside' website, which give folks recommendations of things to do with their kids. Visit the web page here (http://www.nochildleftinside.org/parks/airline07.php)
June 8, 2007 -- A portion of the Air Line Rail Trail Southern Section will be closed Monday through Friday from 06/04/2007 through 06/15/2007 - read the Hartford Courant article HERE.
January 15, 2007 -- The Lebanon Rails to Trails Committee announces the completion of Section 1 of the Air Line State Park Trail. The Lebanon Rails to Trails Committee announces the completion of Section 1 of the Lebanon portion of the Air Line State Park Trail. The Air Line State Park Trail, a multiuse trail for non-motorized use including hiking, biking and horseback riding, follows the rail bed of the former Air Line railroad. The southern portion links East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron and Lebanon. Although cleared and usable through out the 7.5 miles of trail in Lebanon, section one has been improved so that it is easier to use for recreational purposes. The trail has been widened, graded and paved with stone dust. Section one of the trail starts at Route 207 and continues to Leonard Bridge Road. The distance from Route 207 to the Lebanon town line (Amston Section) is 0.4 miles and then from the Lebanon town line to Leonard Bridge Road is 1.7 miles. The trail goes through a variety of landscapes from a beautiful pond to forests. Plans are continuing for similar improvements for the rest of the trail that goes through Lebanon. People from the community are already discovering the finished trail and are out enjoying it daily. Please come and explore it yourself. If you have any questions please call Naomi Davidson, 456-4120, chair of the committee or Donna Koenig, 423-6623, who supervised completion of the trail. (http://www.lebanontownhall.org/news.htm?id=qazd6zdl)
October 30, 2006 -- THE FOURTH ANNUAL GHOST RUN WAS CANCELED DUE TO DANGEROUS WEATHER - READ THE NOTE FROM THE FOUR TOWNS PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENTS HERE.
October 27, 2006 -- The town of Lebanon is applying stone dust to the surface of the first approximately two miles length of trail in their town, from the intersection with Route 207 to Leonard's Bridge Road. The trail has been graded and prepared in most of the town, but was still rough. Naomi Davidson, Chairperson of the Lebanon Rails to Trails Committee, comments that "the more folks we can encourage to use this section of the trail, the better. We are continuing to work on the rest of the trail, and though it will take some time until there is a finished surface for the entire stretch of trail in Lebanon, most of it is passable."
September 30, 2006 -- The FOURTH annual GHOST RUN and RELAY EVENT is now
scheduled! Join the Hebron, Marlborough, Colchester, and East Hampton Parks & Recreation Departments and the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in its annual AIR LINE RAIL TRAIL GHOST RUN on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 9 am. This is a 13.6 mile run/relay event along the Air Line Rail Trail starting from Hebron Elementary School and ending at Center Elementary School in East Hampton. Shuttle busses for all runners will run in both directions. Registration forms are available here or at the Parks & Recreation Department of each of the participating towns. In Halloween tradition, the event will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Can't run that far? Call the Parks & Recreation Department of any of the towns and volunteer to help out.
August 20, 2006 -- The Air Line Rail Trail makes the front page of the Rails To Trails Conservancy fall newsletter. See the article here. It is written by Peter Marteka, a frequent contributor to the Hartford Courant on outdoor recreation including the Air Line Trail.
May 7, 2006 -- An Air Line Trail Video Documentary has been created. Bob Adams from Milford, Connecticut, produced a short video about the Air Line Rail Trail, focusing on the southern section from East Hampton to Colchester. Bob and his wife Joyce made the 13:45 documentary based on a day off from work back in late October, 2005. You can watch the video here (http://futuredv.blogspot.com/2006/05/our-rail-trail-documentary-is-online.html). Leave Bob some good comments and maybe he will come back and make a sequel!
April, 2006 -- The town of Hebron is finishing up improvements on the Colchester Spur, a three mile section of the Air Line Rail Trail from the main trail into the center of Colchester. The trail has been graded and stone dust applied connecting to the already prepared surface in Colchester. This new section (see in photos before the improvements here) adds new dimensions to the existing trail.
January 23, 2006 -- The Hartford Courant (www.courant.com) prints an article about photographer Stan Malcolm entitled 'World Of Beauty In A Single Mile'. The story documents Stan's award winning photography on the Air Line Trail, and his passion for recording the seasonal changes of the Raymond Brook Marsh. See the article here and Stan's outstanding web site at the link "Along the Air Line . . ."October 31, 2005 -- Results of the third annual GHOST RUN and RELAY EVENT here.
August 5, 2005 -- The Hartford Courant (www.courant.com) prints an article about police bike patrols in Hebron, focusing on the Air Line Rail Trail. "Resident State Trooper Kelly Kraynak and Hebron Police Officer Kristen DiMauro don't patrol the Air Line State Park Trail expecting to find crime, they do it to make friends." See the article here.
August 5, 2005 -- A swimmer in the Dickinson Creek under the Lyman Viaduct is knocked unconscious in an accident. Read the Hartford Courant (www.courant.com) article here.
June 4, 2005 -- Colchester opens a new 0.4 mile segment of the Air Line Rail Trail. This portion re-connects the trail near the Route 2 overpass to remove trail traffic from the street. The opening is planned for 10 am, and a community picnic with food for purchase will be held immediately after. Read the information at the town of Colchester's web site at this link and to see a map of the new trail segment.
June 4 & 5, 2005 -- National Trails Day - there are organized activities to celebrate its 13th anniversary. Along the Air Line Rail Trail, there are hikes in Pomfret, Colchester, East Hampton, and Hebron. Click on this link for more information from the American Hiking Society's web site.
December 29, 2004 -- The Hartford Courant (www.courant.com) prints an article about how erosion on the Air Line trail is causing concerns about the potential for damage to the sewer line that is buried beneath. The local towns and legislative representatives are requesting $500,000 to repair of the viaducts. See the article here.
October 13, 2004 -- 45 Mile Hike Sunday To Benefit Forest Fund -- Portland resident John LeShane, founder and president of the Meshomasic Hiking Club and a board member of the Middlesex Land Trust, will be joined by George Rolland of East Hampton in a 45 mile hike Sunday to raise money for the Meshomasic Forever Wild Fund. The two men will hike from Putnam to East Hampton on the Air Line Rail Trail. Meshomasic Forever Wild Fund money is used to help conserve additional land in the Meshomasic Forest, established in 1903, making it New England's oldest state forest. Rolland, an avid hiker and member of the hiking club, is joining LeShane because he is concerned about Meshomasic Forest and enjoys the Air Line Trail. Rolland hopes that supporters will sponsor them at $1 a mile, but any donation is appreciated. Donations should be sent to the Middlesex Land Trust, 27 Washington St., Middletown, CT 06457. Checks should have a notation on them that they are for the Meshomasic Forever Wild Fund. For more information, call John LeShane at 860-342-0658.
October 2, 2004 -- Make your plans now to explore the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor as part of the fourteenth annual Walking Weekends, Oct. 8 thru 11, and October 15 thru 17, 2004. You will have two weekends to enjoy any of the more than 100 free, guided walks and experience the natural, historical and cultural treasures in "The Last Green Valley" highlighted against the region's autumn splendor. Two walks feature the Air Line Rail Trail:
Saturday 10/9/2004 9:00AM -- On the Trail of the Ghost Train, Lebanon, CT - see the new section of the old Air Line Railroad being developed into part of the East Coast Greenway on this 2 hour, 2 1/2-mile walk. Hear about the railroad and the brief but colorful “Ghost Train.” Lebanon Rails to Trails Committee sponsors this walk. From center of Lebanon, take Route 207 west for 3.8 mile, turn right onto Leonard’s Bridge Road, just before Lake Williams Drive about 2 mile and park near bridge. Saturday 10/9/2004 10:00AM -- Pomfret’s Airline, Pomfret, CT - Follow the Air Line Trail, visit a little-known stone arch tunnel, and learn about the Great Train Wreck, the White Train Express, and the history of Gwyn Careg on this leisurely 2 1/2hour stroll for all ages. Sponsored by the Pomfret Historical Society. From junction with Route 101, go north on Route 169 (which shortly joins Route 44); turn right onto Needle’s Eye Road (first road past CT Audubon Society Center) For a full listing of all walks in the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor as well as surrounding areas, click here for the brochure and map (1.5 mb PDF - requires Adobe Reader)
September 21, 2004 -- A walk or ride to benefit Ovarian Cancer Research by the Gilda Radner Research Fund and the University of Connecticut Medical Center will be held on October 9, 2004 at 11 AM, starting at the Route 85, Hebron, trail head. Walk for 2, 5, or 7 miles, or ride for 15 or 25 miles. See the brochure here or call Jo-Ann Connelly at 860-228-9164 for additional information. Driving instructions to the Route 85 trail head can be found at the Directions link.
September 20, 2004 -- The second annual GHOST RUN/RELAY EVENT is now scheduled! Join the Hebron, Marlborough, Colchester, and East Hampton Parks & Recreation Departments and the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in its 2nd annual AIR LINE RAIL TRAIL GHOST RUN. This is a 13.6 mile run/relay event along the Air Line Trail starting at Hebron Elementary School and ending at Center Elementary School in East Hampton. Registration forms are available at the Parks & Recreation Department of each of the participating towns, and the event will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Can't run that far? Call the Parks & Recreation Department of any of the towns and volunteer to help out.
Date:
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Time:
9:00 AM
Starting location:
Hebron Elementary School,
92 Church Street,
Hebron, CT
Ending location:
Center Elementary School,
7 Summit Street,
East Hampton, CT
Fee:
Individual: $25 (after Oct. 25, $30)
Relay: $45 (after Oct. 25, $50)
Registration Form: Click here for form (96 kb PDF - requires Adobe Reader)
July 1, 2004 -- The Hartford Courant (www.ctnow.com) prints a full page article on the Air Line Rail Trail - South Section on the front page of the the Life section. See the article here.
June 5, 2004 -- National Trails Day - there are organized activities to celebrate its 12th anniversary. Along the Air Line Rail Trail, there are hikes in:
Click on the town for more information from the American Hiking Society's web site. The final schedule is not available yet (as of 5/18/04) - I will update the site if I get any more events. . .
April 30, 2004 -- Stan Malcolm maintains a beautiful web site with photography from the Raymond Brook Marsh Preserve and Air Line Rail Trail in Hebron. He was recently interviewed by Laurie Sanders for a segment of National Public Radio's "Field Notes" program. Archives of the "Field Notes" programs including the Air Line Rail Trail segment are accessible at radio station WFCR's web site (www.WFCR.org/fieldnotes.html). Please also visit Stan's website "Along the Air Line . . ." to view some of the amazing photography he takes.
April 21, 2004 -- in 1999, the Pine Brook was spanned by mistake. Read the news article about "The Case of the Bridge Built in the Wrong Place" here.
April 7, 2004 -- the Boston Review (bostonreview.net) publishes a photo from this web site of a stone arch bridge in the Portland-Cobalt section of the trail. See the article here.
December 26, 2003 -- the Reminder Community News (www.remindernet.com) prints a page 1 article about the Air Line Rail Trail - North. See the article here.
June 23, 2003 -- the trail is slowly changing in Lebanon, due to the hard work by the town, state of Connecticut DEP, and volunteer workers. Between Route 207 and Leonard Bridge Road, grading of the trail is underway. Earthen embankments have been laid to allow easy access to the trail at Leonard Bridge Road, and two new foot bridges have been built east of that road before the crossing with Chesbro Bridge Road. The entire length, to the Willimantic River, has been cleared of brush and much of the trash and abandoned vehicles. Beware, the trail is rough even for mountain bikes. There are still old railroad ties in spots east of Cook Hill Road, as well as stone culverts that have not been crossed by foot bridges.
June 1, 2003 -- Connecticut Trails Day - there are organized activities on the Air Line Rail Trail in the towns of Colchester, Hebron, Windham, Chaplin, and Hampton. See the descriptions of the events at the web site http://www.ctwoodlands.org/blue%20trails/td03/TrailsDay.html
May 30, 2003 -- the town of Lebanon continues to have scheduled trail clean up days on the second Saturday of each month from 9 am to 1 pm. For further information, contact Kent Sleath by phone at (860) 642-7945, or visit the town's web site for the Airline Rail Trail at http://www.lebanontownhall.org/townhall/trails.asp?pg=clean
May 5, 2003 -- The Air Line Rail Trail makes the 'Trail of the Month' at the Rails To Trails Conservancy . See the article here.
April 27, 2003 -- On Sunday, April 27 at 3:00 PM, the Lebanon Historical Society Museum is hosting a special presentation on Rails to Trails led by Craig Della Penna, New England Representative of the Rails to Trails Conservancy. The program will cover a historical perspective of Rails to Trails and the status of development of the Air Line Trail through Lebanon. Admission $2.00 for LHS members, $3.00 for non-members. For more information, visit the Lebanon Historical Society Museum website.
October 27, 2002 -- Rivereast New Bulletin (published by the Glastonbury Citizen) prints a picture of scouts hiking the trail in East Hampton. See the picture here.
June 2, 2002 -- Connecticut Trail Day - the trail dedication and hike will begin at the Lebanon/Hebron trail-head. Hike this beautiful part of the Air Line Trail, choosing your own ending point. Time: 12:30 p.m. for all welcome, place: Lebanon/Hebron trailhead Route 207 and free to all
May 18, 2002 -- take a Natural History Walk (emphasis on spring flowers) on the Air Line Trail. The walk is co-sponsored by the Lebanon Rails to Trails Committee and the Jonathan Trumbull Library and will be led by Dr. William Jahoda. Meet at 9:00 a.m. where the trail crosses Route 207 in Lebanon, CT
April 26, 2002 -- Rivereast New Bulletin (published by the Glastonbury Citizen) prints a picture of work to remove trash from the Airline Rail Trail in Hebron. See the picture here.
April 20, 2002 -- the town of Lebanon is working hard to improve the portion of the trail that passes through its town, and has scheduled trail clean up days on the second Saturday of each month through July, 2002. For further information, contact Kent Sleath by phone at (860) 642-7945, or visit the town's web site for the Airline Rail Trail at http://www.lebanonct.org/rtt_home.html
March 26, 2002 -- DEP updates on Rail-To-Trails projects in Connecticut. See the information at the DEP's web site: http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2002/olrdata/env/rpt/2002-R-0337.htm
February 5, 2002 -- Hartford Courant article about work in Portland and East Hampton to connect the Airline Rail Trail between the two towns. See the article here.
October 31, 2001 -- Hartford Courant article about the Airline Rail Trail in Windham and Chaplin. See the article here.
May 19, 2001 -- Airline Rail Trail South and North Sections officially designated a Connecticut Greenway. See the information at the DEP's web site: http://www.dep.state.ct.us/whatshap/press/2001/cr0515a.htm
May 16, 2001 -- Connecticut Greenway Recognition Award Winners announced - see the information at http://www.dep.state.ct.us/whatshap/press/2001/cr0516a.htm
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Page Last Updated: November 21, 2007