Welcome to FNT!
Want to get involved? Go to Events
Want to become a member? Go to Membership
Wondering about etiquette on the trail? Go to COVID-19 Health & Safety and Trail Etiquette
Looking for something to do this weekend? Go to Local Outdoor Adventures or try our Great Tree Bike Tour.
Missed our annual meeting and want to learn more about FNT? Watch the recording.
Annual Meeting 2021
On Nov. 16 2021, FNT celebrated 16 years of supporting Northampton’s stellar trail system. This year’s annual meeting highlighted our accomplishments (and challenges) this year, featured remarks from local VIPs, and provided a glimpse of FNT’s goals and projects for the coming year.
Video link:
Jeanette Sadik Khan on bike lanes: https://youtu.be/E85HMNJix_o
Featured:
George Kohout, FNT President
FNT Board of Directors
Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz
Northampton Mayor-Elect Gina Louise-Sciarra
MA Representative Lindsay Sabadosa
Great Tree Bike Tour – 2021 Edition
Ready? Set? GO! Our Great Tree Bike Tour 2021 graphic is now available for download right here.
Ready? Set? GO! Our Great Tree Bike Tour 2021 graphic is available for download today through Sunday, September 26.
Grab your bikes, your friends and your family to celebrate Bay State Bike Month while experiencing 11 of Northampton’s majestic trees. A brochure and map for this free, self guided tour can be accessed below. Our brochure will include an online audio description of these majestic trees, accessible by QR code.
WHERE DO I START?
- Download and print the brochure here: https://tinyurl.com/GreatTree2021
- Head to the parking lot on Old South Street in Northampton. Plug in the code “8989+JG Northampton MA” or “Old South Street Parking” into your Google Maps app to get directions.
- Start trailblazing! Follow the map to destination #1 on Old South Street. Once you arrive, use the camera app on your cell phone to scan the QR code for destination #1. The tour finishes at Maines Field.
Bicycle Benefits Program
Calling all local businesses!
We are partnering with Bicycle Benefits, a program that offers discounts and benefits to customers who bike to participating shops.
Here’s how it works:
Businesses become Bicycle Benefit members through FNT and sell a bike helmet sticker to cyclists for $5 each.
Businesses will be listed on the Bicycle Benefits website as well as a shoutout from us.
Once cyclists buy the sticker, they are eligible for discounts or deals at participating businesses (BOGO, or 10% off etc). We’ll help with outreach to encourage cyclist participation in the program.
The cost of a starter kit is $25 and includes 10 stickers to sell to customers for $5 each, decals for your shop window and cash register and informational material.
We are pleased to offer the first 20 business participants the kits at no cost — just fill out this form and we will be in touch and drop off your kit to your location.
Fill out the form here:
http://bit.ly/FNTbikebenefits
Let’s get folks on their bikes this spring!
News
Huge congratulations to Lindsay Sabadosa, State Representative, 1st Hampshire District for receiving the prestigious Golden Spike Award! #SabadosaMA #TeamSabadosa
Rep. Sabadosa is a strong supporter of FNT’s mission, as well as a key advocate in giving the green light for communities to use CPA dollars to buy former railroad corridors. Her tireless work allowed Southampton to purchase the corridor between Coleman Road and Brickyard Road, an exciting project that is in motion now. This one of the last remaining gaps in the New Haven & Northampton Canal Greenway. www.NHNCG.org
The Golden Spike award will be presented at the upcoming 2022 Golden Spike Conference on July 30 2022, celebrating the continuing development of the Mass Central Rail Trail. The Norwottuck Network, the host of the conference, will be presenting 10 Golden Spike awards at this event.
Details for the conference can be found here: www.gs2022.org
It's time to join or renew your FNT membership!
The Friends of Northampton Trails know we can do more as a community than as individuals in 2022. So, we are asking you to renew your membership or become a new member at the level you can afford. Anything, from $25 to $500 and even more, will help us encourage use of the trails, promote access for all, and assist the City in expanding and improving the trail network. If you gave in the past, please consider giving a bit more; if you’re a first-timer, then welcome!
Learn how to donate at fntrails.org/join-support/membership/
Thank you for supporting enhancing Northampton's trail network and fostering community.
Photo contest!
American Trails is looking for good photos of trail users as well as special facilities, art on the trails, management issues, construction, and volunteers.
Click the link below to submit your photos that highlight the diversity of National Recreation Trails (NRTs), and to make more Americans familiar with these great trails.
Not sure where to find local NRTs? Included in the link below is a searchable online database.
The deadline to submit photos is December 15th. Show us what you've got!
www.americantrails.org/national-recreation-trails/photo-contest?fbclid=IwAR2R97c6a2BwnmgS-GeaTeBJ...
Photo Contest - American Trails
www.americantrails.org
American Trails sponsors the annual contest for photographs of designated National Recreation Trails across the country. Our annual contest provides awards in several categories and shows off entries (and previous winners) on the NRT website. Deadline is December 15 of each year.
The countdown is here! Our annual meeting is TOMORROW, November 16th at 7pm on Zoom. Here's a sneak peek of our agenda & you can find the Zoom link below.
us02web.zoom.us/j/87591645807
The City of Northampton is working on a new sign project in Florence: wayfinding! This new signage is designed to help steer folks towards landmark locations such as Main Street.
Voice your opinions here: northamptonma.gov/2369/36305/Florence
Florence | Northampton, MA - Official Website
northamptonma.gov
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ANNOUNCEMENT:
FNT's 14th Annual Meeting will be held over Zoom this year on November 16, 2021 at 7pm. Don't miss it!
us02web.zoom.us/j/87591645807
Would never miss it!
Now it's easier to send Friends of Northampton Trails a message.
FNT's Annual Meeting 2021
An announcement with the full meeting agenda and the venue of the Annual Meeting (Zoom or in-person) will be sent by email in early November. Please SAVE THE DATE if you plan on joining us on November 16th.
Thank you for your support, and we can't wait to see you all!
P.S. Visit the sidebar on our website fntrails.org to sign up for our email list.
Written by our board member Kelsey Wentling. Thanks for all your great work Kelsey!
Plogging for the planet: Swedish pastime combines jogging with collecting litter, waste
www.gazettenet.com
Recently, on a jog along the Mill River in Northampton, I ran by three bags of dog poop neatly lined up on a log and arranged in a rainbow sequence: green, blue, purple. The sight was almost beautiful, had it not been for the plastic and animal waste...