Tag Archives: Blackstone River

by Marjorie | June 25, 2025 · 1:59 pm

From rails to trails, the SNETT

*Grade crossing at Center St. Bellingham, then… Photo courtesy Bellingham Historical Commission* (BHC)

And now…. SNETT, Center Street and Fox Run Road, Bellingham, MA

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Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Learn more.

The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) consists of the rail bed of what was originally called the Norfolk County Railroad, now turned into a rail trail. During its years of operation the railroad changed hands multiple times and had various names. By the early 1900s the railroad was referred to as The Milk Train, since it provided a vital milk delivery service for farmers outside Boston and milk distributors in the city.

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Tagged as Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Blackstone River, dog, Easy Walks in Massachusetts, family portrait ideas, finding easy walks, finding easy walks wherever you are, rail trail, railroads, railtrails, SNETT Bellingham, SNETT Bellingham Franklin, SNETT Douglas, SNETT Franklin, SNETT Trail, train history

by Marjorie | December 2, 2024 · 3:36 pm

Blackstone River Greenway/SNETT keeps getting longer (better!)

Marjorie Turner Hollman is an author, creator, observer, and disability advocate who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Newest section of the Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway now open!

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Because the process of developing rail trails is such a monumental effort, the easiest sections are generally completed first. (Higher in elevation, already somewhat cleared, lacking encroachment from neighbors). Tying together these disparate, already completed sections of one proposed project is a challenge. When new connections are established the rail trail becomes more attractive for those of us who enjoy traveling by bicycle. And thus, my enthusiasm as we watched progress on the Blackstone Riverway rail trail extension from Blackstone, Massachusetts into Rhode Island.

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Tagged as Blackstone Heritage Corridor, blackstone ma, Blackstone River, Blackstone river heritage corridor, blackstone river national historical park, Cold spring park, cycling, easy walks, Easy Walks in Massachusetts, family portrait ideas, finding easy walks, finding easy walks wherever you are, hiking, history, MA dcr, millville ma, nature, paved bike path, rail trail railtrail, travel, triad bridge Millville, uxbridge ma, woonsocket

by Marjorie | January 9, 2024 · 4:23 pm

Bicycle craze

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

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Out on our tandem during the Covid pandemic (Acadia National Park)

We humans are prone to “enthusiasms.” Even though we want to distinguish ourselves from others, being attracted to what “everyone else” is doing seems to be in our makeup. I saw this most recently during the Covid Pandemic that began in 2020. Suddenly deprived of indoor entertainment and ways of gathering safely, crowds headed outdoors and soon parks and trails were jammed with visitors. It became so bad that those overseeing these outdoor spaces felt forced to close them because of concern for contagion. We ourselves continued to ride our tandem bicycle, but shifted our habit of riding on rail trails, instead turning to quiet country roads to spend time outdoors away from crowds.

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Tagged as 19th century theater, avoid crowds, bicycle history, bicycles, Blackstone River, Easy Walks in Massachusetts, Family history, finding easy walks, finding easy walks wherever you are, old letters, tandem bicycles

by Marjorie | October 24, 2022 · 3:43 pm

Progress on the SNETT, Bellingham and Blackstone

Center Street to Rt. 126 section of the SNETT now complete in Bellingham, MA

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

We have spent the past several weeks exploring the SNETT (Southern New England Trunkline Trail) that runs quite near our home. Improvements have just been completed from Center Street in Bellingham, MA west to Rt. 126, near the Blackstone, MA line. What has up to now been one of the more challenging sections of the SNETT, this portion of the trail has limited views, but is key to opening up further sections of the SNETT west of here. Park at the Center Street parking area. Once parked, head west. An additional, Harpin Street entrance is next to DiPietro Elementary School, with parking across the street at the athletic fields. This area was until recently a barrier for those wanting to access other western sections of the trail.

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Tagged as Blackstone River, easy walks, Easy Walks in Massachusetts, fall foliage, family portrait ideas, finding easy walks wherever you are, rail trails MA, SNETT, SNETT Bellingham, SNETT Blackstone, SNETT Franklin, trail building

by Marjorie | June 24, 2021 · 3:00 pm

Walking through history-Blackstone Canal Tow Path, Uxbridge, MA

Along the historic tow path of the Blackstone Canal

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

We recently visited River Bend Farm in Uxbridge, MA, a state park and in the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. We planned to walk along the one-mile section of restored tow path that follows the route of the historic Blackstone Canal, built to transport goods from Worcester, MA through the canal to Pawtucket, RI. I describe this walk as “handicapped friendly” since there are no steps to navigate in crossing the bridge from the parking area and visitor center over to the tow path. The path itself is packed gravel, which offers safe footing.

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Tagged as Blackstone Canal, Blackstone canal tow path, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Blackstone River, Easy Walks in Massachusetts, family photo spot, finding easy walks wherever you are

by Marjorie | May 27, 2021 · 3:33 pm

Pedaling along the Blackstone river

Along the Blackstone Bikeway, Lincoln, RI

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

During the height of the pandemic we avoided our local rail trails because this is where everyone else was. As the rates of infection have eased and more have gotten vaccinated, we have felt safer returning to our nearby rail trails, and they are less crowded. We recently headed to Lincoln, RI to pedal along the banks of the Blackstone River on the Blackstone Bikeway. To find all the parking areas along the Blackstone Bikeway, plus so much more in the valley, be sure to check out this new on line intereactive map. The Blackstone Heritage Corridor has done an amazing job helping make us aware of all that is going on in the valley. I am lucky to be a volunteer with this great organization.

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Tagged as Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Blackstone River, Blackstone River Bikeway, blackstone river lincoln RI, easy walks along blackstone river, easy walks ri, finding easy walks wherever you are, rail trail lincon ri

by Marjorie | April 15, 2021 · 4:09 pm

Early spring along the Blackstone River

Maple trees have turned red, preparing to send out their greenery soon. Look close–it will be gone!

My friend Marcy met me at the Blackstone Greenway in Blackstone, MA on a warm early spring day. The tree branches are turning lacy as their red buds fill out and promise greenery will be here soon. We strolled together on the clear path. The last time I was here, the bridges were covered in ice.

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Tagged as Blackstone Heritage Corridor, blackstone ma, Blackstone River, DCR Everyone outdoors, easy walks along blackstone river, Easy Walks in Massachusetts, rail trails MA, rail trails on the blackstone, spring in new england, spring is here

by Marjorie | September 4, 2020 · 2:19 pm

The Blackstone River, river view

View from the water–Blackstone Greenway/Triad bridge in front of us, active railroad beyond the bike path, footing for the third bridge on the right, which was never completed

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

We have done little kayaking in the last number of years because of a serious shoulder injury by the one who does the heavy lifting to get our kayak into the water. We have become adept at figuring out how to continue doing what we love, regardless physical abilities. We are back to being able to use our tandem kayak, with the helping hand of a small trolling motor that reduces the strain on shoulders.

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Tagged as adaptive kayaking, Blackstone Gorge, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Blackstone River

by Marjorie | June 3, 2020 · 11:40 am

Getting Out Early–Blackstone River Greenway

Early morning light along the Blackstone River

We arrived with our adaptive tandem bicycle at the Uxbridge trail head of the Blackstone Greenway, just off Rt 146A, before 7A.M, and found only one other car already there. Great. We wore masks, and pedaled along the trail, encountering mostly one, or sometimes two people on the trail, almost all walkers.

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Tagged as avoid crowds, Blackstone River, Blackstone river greenway, get out early

by Marjorie | May 25, 2019 · 2:23 pm