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Cheney Railroad
History
Walk
Saturday, February 27, 2010
NOTE TIME 3 p.m.
Hikers will have an easy, but bumpy, walk along the former railroad, built in 1869 to connect the Cheney silk mills
to the main rail line in the North End. At 2.5 miles, it was the longest private railroad in the United States. We will hike
along the one-mile portion owned by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust, which will take about 1-3/4 hours round trip.
Phone hike leader Susan Barlow (860-643-9776) if questions. There are no
restrooms along the route. Meet at the North End of Main Street in Manchester, behind Farr’s Sporting Goods, 2 Main Street. Park at the nearby shopping
plaza or Eighth Utilities office building. Children are especially welcome and will receive a free railroad patch. Extreme
weather cancels. No dogs, please. Hike
at Salter’s Pond - Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m Discover a scenic walk close to home on Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m.
Salter’s pond got its name from Lorenzo T. Salter who, in partnership with Mr. Strong, founded the Salter and Strong
paper mill, which became Lydall paper mill. Many North End residents learned to swim at Salter’s Pond before the town
swimming pool was built. In the 1950s, cows grazed in the meadow of the farm across the pond. Our walk will include some historic
commentary. Meet in the parking lot of the town swimming pool on Lydall Street, east of the intersection with Coleman Road.
The walk may be wet depending on the weather, and hikers should wear sturdy footwear. The route is not mountainous, but does
have stairs and bumpy spots, where roots stick out, so participants need to be agile. No dogs, please. This moderately paced
walk will take about 1-1/4 hours. The pond and adjacent land is owned by the Manchester Land Conservation Trust.
Directions: From Hartford, take I-84 eastbound to exit 63. Straight ahead off exit ramp onto Route
83 south. In 1.1 miles turn left onto Woodbridge Street. In 0.7 mile at a stop sign, slight left onto Lydall Street. In about
two tenths of a mile, parking lot is on the left.
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| Hikers on a recent Cheney Rail Trail hike |
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| Picture by Susan Barlow |
Hop
River Trail Walk, Saturday, March 27 at 1 p.m. Come explore
the Hop River Trail – a place where walkers, bikers, and birdwatchers can enjoy nature very close to home, along an
old railroad that once went all the way to Willimantic. Wear sturdy shoes or sneakers and expect wet spots, with bumpy terrain.
We will walk about 3 miles along the former railroad. The parking lot is on the east side of Colonial Road, Manchester, near
its intersection with Parker Street. From Hartford, take I-84 eastbound to exit 63. Left off exit ramp onto Route 83/Route
30 toward Rockville. Go about one tenth mile, past the Big Y store and take first right onto Parker Street. Stay on Parker
Street a little less than a mile, and turn left onto Colonial Road. The parking lot for the Hop River Trail is on the left
close to the intersection. There is a white and green sign for the Hop River state park. Extreme weather cancels. Hike will
be led by Susan Barlow of the Manchester Land Conservation Trust.
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| Kayaks on Risley Pond |
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| Picture by Susan Barlow |
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