The Nature Conservancy: All Persons Trail In Manchester Opens On Earth Day

New Milford CT

25 April, 2022

12:44 PM

Description

Press release from The Nature Conservancy: April 22, 2022 Universally accessible trail aims to break down barriers to the outdoors After three years of listening, planning and constructing, the wait is over. Today, on Earth Day, The Nature Conservancy was joined by community leaders, Manchester residents, project partners, funders and elected officials to celebrate the grand opening of the All Persons Trail to the public. The event opened with a traditional Abenaki gathering song performed by members of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, who collaborated with the Conservancy on efforts to raise Indigenous voices and honor their ongoing physical and spiritual connections to this landscape, and included self-guided walks down the trail with opportunities to hear from project staff along the way. The 1.2-mile trail winds through the preserve's unique and diverse habitats, showcasing mystical green wetlands, showy giant rhododendrons and funky rock formations formed during retreating Ice Age. The trail's design includes a flat, even surface for easy walking and unrestricted movement of assistance-providing devices like wheelchairs and strollers. Periodic benches dot its length for frequent rest stops. Visitors will also be treated to beautifully illustrated, informative panels that highlight the sights, sounds and smells of the preserve, as well as an app-based audio tour that is offered in both English and Spanish. The expanded parking area includes accessible parking spaces and a nongendered, family-friendly portable toilet. Also beginning today, a new stop on the Manchester Transit Authority's bus route provides much-needed transportation to and from the preserve, located in the Hackett Hill area of Manchester. Riders can now take the Route 11 bus to the "All Persons Trail" stop. "AARP New Hampshire is a proud supporter of the All Person's Trail Project, said Erin Mitchell, interim state director for AARP NH. "We've seen great results from the AARP Community Challenge grant program supporting communities across New Hampshire as they make tangible improvements that spark long-term change." Kim Murphy, marketing specialist for RiverWoods Manchester, is also thrilled for what this new trail means for the active seniors community. "The Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve is an incredible asset to the neighborhood, but now many more residents and guests of RiverWoods Manchester can enjoy all that is has to offer! We would like to extend gratitude to The Nature Conservancy, The City of Manchester and all of the generous donors and volunteers for this wonderful accomplishment." Manchester Cedar Swamp is open to the public from dawn to dusk every day. Information about visiting the preserve—including how to access the audio tour in both languages—is available at http://www.nature.org/manchester, as well on The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire's Facebook (TNCNH) Instagram (@tncnewhampshire) and Twitter (@Nature_NH) accounts. This press release was produced by The Nature Conservancy. The views expressed here are the author's own.