BETHEL – A group of community members is looking to improve or create a trail system similar to the Sun Valley system in Ketchum, Idaho, or the Stowe recreational trail project in Stowe, Vt., says Robin Zinchuk, executive director of Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce.
But despite its proximity to the White Mountains National Forest trails and the Appalachian Trail, Bethel is not an attraction on the order of Jackson Hole or Stowe.
“Obviously, we’ll have to think out of the box,” Zinchuk said Monday afternoon. “The Sun Valley system shares some correlation to our economy, but it’s different.”
Likewise, she said, with the Stowe project.
“They were able to design a trail system and interweave it between their business area and farms in the country,” Zinchuk said.
Enter Bethel Area Trails, a committee of the Mahoosuc Land Trust, a private, nonprofit, land conservation organization serving Albany Township, Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Mason Township, Milton Plantation, Newry, Rumford, Upton and Woodstock.
The committee’s intent is to create a trail system that balances landscape and design issues with landowner and public safety concerns, and the interaction of motorized and nonmotorized trail use.
“It’s not just about hiking,” Zinchuk said.
The committee has developed a concept plan based on community feedback this fall from a trail user survey, and dozens of meetings over the last year.
This plan, she said, emphasizes providing access to unique natural and cultural resources, contributing to a sustainable local economy, attracting “environment-friendly” business, promoting health and exercise, and facilitating safe alternatives to automobile transportation.
Although no specific trail routes have been proposed, general responses from the survey identified trail goals for the area.
From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at Telstar High School in Bethel, both the chamber and Bethel Area Trails are to host a public trail planning workshop.
Zinchuk said those attending are to break out into groups to discuss the trail goals:
• A trail from Bethel to the new Angevine Park and Swim Pond.
• Safe trails to all SAD 44 schools in Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, and Woodstock.
• An extension of the existing Bethel Pathway.
• A possible trail connecting Bethel to Sunday River Ski Resort.
“We’ll be looking to the community to determine what they’d like,” Zinchuk said.
Questions or comments may be addressed to committee coordinator Kirk Siegel at 824-0717 or Zinchuk at 824-2282.
Comments are no longer available on this story