The Monadnock Earth Festival was held Saturday, April 22 in downtown Keene.
NH Rail Trails were well represented: NHRTC Board Member Chuck Redfern staffed one booth which focused on Pathways For Keene and the rail trails within Keene. NHRTC Board Member Mike Kowalczyk organized a 2nd booth which promoted NH Rail Trail Coalition (NHRTC), Monadnock Region Rail Trail Collaborative (MRRTC), Town of Swanzey Rail Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC) and Monadnock Alliance for Sustainable Transportation (MAST) information. Mike also had a G-guage train running which was a great attraction. For NHRTC, MRRTC, RTAC, and MAST marketing collateral was available for attendees to take so they can become more knowledgeable of all the various rail trail advocacy groups.
The festival ran from 12:00-4:00. The booths were busy the entire duration. Visitors consisted of current users, people wanting to know more about the rail trails, a few suggestions on how to make the trails better, one or two safety concerns. All in all it was a very uplifting, positive environment. Several folks were interested in volunteering. I pointed them to the appropriate website location to sign up. I do feel it is pretty safe to say that most folks did not realize the extent of the rail trail network. Not just the Monadnock region but around the state, New England, and the country.
Many promotional items were taken home – we’re looking forward to seeing more Active Trail Users on the rail trails!
All in all a great day!
Report by NHRTC Board Member Mike Kowalczyk