Derry Rail Trail Alliance                              

News:

June 22, 2009 to July 31, 2009

Phase 1 Construction Has Begun!!!

Work has begn on the Kendall Pond Road to Bowers Road section of the Derry Rail Trail. We expect this work to be completed by the end of July. The town has asked that everyone stay off of this section during construction.

We are still raising money to complete the trail all the way to Windham.

June 6, 2009 10AM-2PM Hood Park

National Trails Day Celebration!
Big thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting us--we had a lot of fun!

May 19, 2009

Town Council Approves Phase 1
We are moving forward with construction on phase 1 (Kendall Pond to Bowers Road) immediately and we will be putting phase 2 out to bid as soon as we get the paperwork in order!!! We're very excited to see this project get started!!!

May 12, 2009

DRTA Receives $10,000 Bikes Belong Grant!
The Derry Rail Trail Alliance has received a $10,000 grant from Bikes Belong!

April 18, 2009

DRTA at Derry Clean-up Day
Many thanks to everyone who came out for the trail cleanup. We managed to pick up trash along the entire path from the Depot all the way to Windham. The fence at Lover's Leap has some new paint and the brush got piled up for the town pickup. Please send an email to info@derryrailtrail.org if you have any questions.

April 10, 2009

DRTA Receives RTP Grant from DRED!
The State of New Hampshire's Department of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Parks and Recreation, Bureau of Trails has awarded the DRTA a $25,000 Recreational Trails Program Grant!

April 4, 2009

DRTA at Our Town Our Future
The DRTA had two representatives at this important planning meeting. We will be back on April 29th for the follow-up session.

March 30, 2009

DRTA receives grant from the GSW
The Granite State Wheelmen has awarded the DRTA one of their 5 $1,000 Rail Trail Grants. Stay tuned for more information!

January 17, 2009

DRTA Gearing up for Spring!
Yes, it's the dead of Winter but we're hard at work planning for Spring. If you are interested in helping us out with our Spring activities, please contact us at info@derryrailtrail.org to find out what you can do to help out. For starters, we will be participating in the town cleanup day on April 18th and we can use your help.
December 31, 2008

DRTA Under Attack
It's almost 2009 and the DRTA is under attack by Brian Chirichiello, District #4 Councilor on his blog. He's rattling the sword again about taking back the $225K grant the town council voted in just last March. I am asking the silent majority in favor of this project to please speak up and support us publicly by writing to the councilors, papers, emails, blogs, whatever forum you're comfortable with. We have worked too hard and come too far to have this project derailed at this point.
The mere suggestion that the DRTA in any way has gone after tax money to fund this project is a kick in the face to our board of directors who have worked tirelessly for over a year on this project. None of our money has come from taxes. AND we have fought through miles of paperwork to establish our 501(c)(3) so that every penny donated is tax deductible. I cannot repeat this enough--YOUR support has driven this organization to where we are today and we very much appreciate your support. Please let your voice be heard.
Erich Whitney
President, DRTA

December 23, 2008

Holiday Bike Raffle
A Very Merry Christmas and Congratulations to Jennifer Leonard of Derry for winning the Adult Giant Sedona Comfort/Cruiser Bike! We would like to thank everyone for your contributions and overwhelming support for the project. Stay tuned for more news soon!

October 4, 2008

Thanks to the Daleys for hosting the first DRTA Wine Tasting Fundraiser! We raised over $2300 and enjoyed a relaxing evening with great food and wine.

September 20, 2008

Congratulations to James Gearing of Derry for winning the DRTA/Benson's Bike Raffle at DerryFest! We will be holding other fundraising events with prizes so stay tuned!

September 2, 2008

Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare has made a $5000 challenge grant! They will make their donation when we reach our goal so keep those contributions coming!

September 1, 2008

We have received our official Letter of Determination for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS. The effective date is October 31, 2007. Please use our EIN 26-1251090 when filing your tax return to receive the tax deduction on your contribution and thank you again!

July 28, 2008

The New England Grassroots Environmental Fund has approved a $1,500 grant to the DRTA. Thank you!

We have other grant applications still outstanding, stay tuned!

June 11, 2008

The Alexander Eastman Foundation has approved a $25,000 grant to the DRTA. We are very grateful for this award.

June 7, 2008

National Trails Day

The DRTA cleaned up from 2PM to 4PM. It was hot but a dedicated few helped out--Thank You!!!

June 1, 2008

Thanks to the Windham Rail Trail Alliance for their support and a wonderful race!

March 2008

- 3/4 - Hooray!!! The Town Council voted to provide $225,000 towards trail construction!!! However, they attached a condition to the funding that DRTA must quickly raise the remaining money needed to complete the trail (another $150,000) before we can get the town money!!! So please send a donation today!!!

A Big THANK YOU to all the councilors who voted for this project - the vote was 6 in favor - 1 against!!!

February 2008

- 2/19 - No action taken on funding - continued to March 4th TC meeting.
- Town Council makes a motion to provide $225,000 towards Rail Trail Project!!
- Town Council schedules one more Public Hearing on Feb 19th on Rail Trail.

January 2008

- Engineering Started!!!
- We have applied for a NH Trails Grant and we're looking for other funding opportunities & in-kind services to help us reach our goal. Please contact us if you can help!

December 4, 2007
Town Council  Meeting

October 31, 2007
October 28, 2007
- We elected our Board of Directors, click here