By Darrell Halen
Staff Writer

Observer/Bruce Preston After cutting the ribbon to officially open the Windham rail trail, Gov. John Lynch enjoys a brief bicycle ride on the paved trail with Windham Rail Trail Alliance members John Mangan and Mark Samsel.

Maria Gray enjoyed a recent walk on the Windham rail trail, while her sons Teddy, 4, and Sammy, 6, rode their bicycles on its smooth surface.

“It’s very peaceful, scenic,” said Maria as she walked in the shade of trees along both sides of the trail. “I like that we have a place to exercise that’s safe. We live on a windy, busy road.”

Maria and her boys were among the hundreds of residents at the trail during a festive two-hour opening ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Gov. John Lynch cut a ribbon to officially open the paved trail. He was joined by selectmen, legislators and members of the Windham Rail Trail Alliance, a group of residents who spearheaded the trail’s development.

Most of the 4.1-mile stretch of the trail – which runs from North Lowell Road to Route 111 – has been paved, and a 5-foot shoulder of stone dust has been added.

It is part of a state-planned bicycle and pedestrian trail that would run from Salem to Concord.

“I’m delighted to participate in this ribbon cutting ceremony,” Lynch said. “I really applaud the community of Windham for what you’ve done.”

“I’m really hopeful this will be the start of a trail that goes all the way up to Concord,” he added.

Lynch then donned a bicycle helmet and joined several members of the WRTA in a short ride on the trail as a large gathering of residents applauded.

Todd and Jessica Doucette of Salem came to the trail with their three children: Emily, 5, Ryan, 6, and Andrew, 8. It was their first day riding their bicycles on it.

“We just started,” Jessica said. “I walked it yesterday and rode it today.”

The family expects to use the trail frequently.

“It’s nice and cool and the kids like seeing all the nature,” Jessica said.

“It’s good exercise,” Todd said.

“A good family activity,” Jessica added.

Elizabeth Krajcik, a bike rider from Salem, learned about the trail through the Granite State Wheelmen, an organization of adult recreational bicyclists.

She likes being able to use a paved path without having to worry about passing vehicles.

“The fact there’s no cars is very nice,” Krajcik said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included performances by the Windham Middle School Band.

Attendees looked over photo displays of the trail and families enjoying it, listened to The Fountain Square Ramblers, a traditional jazz band from Contoocook, enjoyed food, and took a chance on winning raffle prizes.

Hay rides were offered during the event.

The ceremony culminates about three years of work by the WRTA to develop the trail. The project, at a price tag of roughly $525,000, was made possible by private donations and in-kind services.

“We felt – have a formal opening, let people know, celebrate,” said Mark Samsel, the organization’s president.

The asphalt portion of the trail is 10-feet wide. It has drawn not only bike riders and walkers, but also horseback riders, scooters, rollerbladers, and baby strollers.

One family, Samsel said, uses it three times a day. Samsel said he’s met people who have traveled from as far as Woburn, Mass., to use it.

The alliance continues to seek donations for signs and fencing, and to improve and maintain two bridges on the trail.

The group also wants to create a viewing area along the trail at Mitchell Pond.