We look forward to seeing you at Market Days in Concord June 22, 23, 24 from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This year our booth is at the corner of Pleasant St and S Main St, right in front of Pitchfork Records.
The Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail were awarded $1.2 million as part of the Federal Appropriations bill that passed Congress at the end of December 2022. The money is to go toward a project involving 2 new bridges and getting from one side of I-89 to the other near Exit 9 in Warner. Thanks are owed to Representative Annie Kuster who put the request into the federal budget.
This project is significant because it aims to create a safe and beautiful way to get from the west side of the interstate to the east side where there are lots of businesses near the roundabout and lots more businesses and destinations in the village of Warner. This project will provide a way to be off of Route 103 using sections of trail and low speed, low traffic side roads to reach the village.
A couple of key points:
Despite having a concept plan and most of the funding in place, the project has not yet begun. Its almost at step 1. Come learn about the process and the key moments we need you to show up if this project is going to keep progressing.
The matching funds, all $300,000 are being raised by donation, not by taxation.
A very approximate view of how the trail will go from the Kiosk to Kearsarge Ave.
Persistence pays off! Both the Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail and the Town of Hopkinton had applied to the NH Bureau of Trails for Recreational Trails Program funding for this project in previous years. In 2022 the Town applied again and this time received the grant. The partnership calls for the town to be supplying the in-kind labor and materials for this project while the Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail is providing the cash match of approximately $4,500.
This project creates a safe traffic separated connection from Houston Fields to the new sidewalks along Kearsarge Ave so students at the middle and high school have an easier more direct way to reach the library and playing fields. It also creates a walking loop using Pine St, Kearsarge Ave, and Houston Fields.
The Town of Hopkinton received its official notice to proceed in the second half of June 2023. Construction began mid October of 2023.
Sign up now for tax credits – only $17,910 remain.
Through NH’s CDFA tax credit program, your NH business can make a powerful local impact – at a fraction of the direct cost. Please consider supporting the Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail using Tax Credits. 💰 Limited tax credits are available. Act before June 30th to secure yours.
These tax credits supply additional funds for Concord. The trail work from Fisherville Road to Carter Hill Road is almost compete. Establishing parking at the Carter Hill Rd trailhead is next.
Learn more about CLSRT tax credits in this short video.
The Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail is fortunate to have been selected by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority for a Tax Credit award of $290,000 to help construct a 1.25 mile section of trail in Concord.
The portion in orange above is supported by Tax credits.
These tax credits can be used by businesses to pay the New Hampshire Business Profits Tax, The New Hampshire Business Enterprise Tax or the New Hampshire Insurance Premiums Tax. If your business pays any of these taxes to the state of New Hampshire contact Tim Blagden (tsblagden@clsrt.org) or Maureen Quinn mquinn@nhcdfa.org or 603.717.9124 at New Hampshire Community Finance Development Authority to learn more about how tax credits can help your bottom line.
NH CDFA Tax Credits are a way to have more community impact with the very limited funds a business has to invest back into the community. A lot more impact. This is not just another way to make a donation to a worthy cause. They multiply the impact of your dollars and provide you with additional flexibility. They are simple to use. But they are for businesses only. Over 600 unique businesses have used NH CDFA Tax credits since 2016. Many come back again and again once they discover the impact they have.
Tax credits purchased today can be applied to your tax bills for 5 years.
These businesses have already decided to help us with NH CDFA Tax Credits. Join them to help create a safer, healthier, and more beautiful place for your community—one you can walk on this summer.
Thunderstorms are forecasted for the afternoon of July 28th so we made the decision this morning to postpone until August 11. Participants may run in Concord on Aug 11, or run in Bradford Aug 18, or run in Newbury Sept 15, or request a refund. We thank everyone for their understanding and flexibility. We hope to see you for a great event.
Custom bench with a view of Lake Todd in Bradford, NH.Custom benches at our trailhead in Concord, NH awaiting final placement along the trail.
These railroad wheelset benches provide a very long lasting, comfortable, and striking way to show your appreciation to a loved one or to promote your business. We will work with you to find the optimal trailside location for your bench. A custom plaque will be attached.
Custom Bench cost: $1,995. Contact us at info@clsrt.org with any questions.
We are looking for volunteers to help greet people during Market Days in Concord June 23rd, 24th and 25th. This is a really fun time. Everyone loves the rail trail and wants to know where it is and what’s happening. We will give you all the answers. Click below to pick a time that works for you.
Support CLSRT TODAY through NH Gives – June 7th & 8th, 2022
An anonymous donor has offered to match up to four individual donations of $1,000 to Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail. The donor will provide $1000 match up for the first four $1000 donations made to CLSRT during NH Gives, up to $4000 total match.
NH Gives is 24 hours of focused giving sponsored by the NH Charitable Foundation. Donate to Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail through the NH Gives program between 5pm Tuesday, June 7th and 5pm Wednesday, June 8th, and your donation can go further with match prizes. Bonus matches are available if you are the first to donate at 5:00 PM on the 7th, at 6:03 AM on the 8th, and at 4:59 PM on the 8th.
Donate today so we can finish phase 2 of Concord this summer.
To optimize your donations to CLSRT, donate during matching times starting at 5pm Tuesday, June 8th. You can get all the details for the hourly matching rules and other prizes for NH non-profits at https://www.nhgives.org/prizes
The first 4 donations of $1,000 to CLSRT will be guaranteed a $1000 matching donation. A generous donor will do this up to 4 times during NH Gives. Please help us capture those potential funds.
Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail has partnered with Car Easy to make it simple to donate your old vehicle to help the rail trail.
CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) is a nationally recognized social enterprise nonprofit that helps thousands of nonprofits in the US and Canada increase their fundraising and acquire new contributors through turn-key vehicle donation programs. Since 2003, CARS has returned more than $300 million to our partners.
Over 40 donations came in to Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail through the NH Gives program between 5pm Tuesday, June 8th and 5pm Wednesday, June 9th. Well timed donations generated an additional $1,670 in matching funds! Thanks for all your help!
To optimize your donations to CLSRT, donate up to $250 at the top of each hour starting at 5pm Tuesday, June 8th. You can get all the details for the hourly matching rules and other prizes for NH non-profits at https://www.nhgives.org/prizes
We raised over $5,000 towards the $14,000 we need to extend the finished surface of the Concord portion of the trail from Fisherville Road to beyond the driveway at the Barn at Bull Meadow.
View looking west from the entry point at Tire Warehouse.
