wow trail opposed

fatlazyless · 08-05-2008, 03:02 PM

Interesting to see the South Down Shore residents cast a vote yesterday, at their annual meeting, to "oppose the trail coming through anywhere on South Down property."

Front page article in today's Aug
5 Laconia Daily Sun.

The wow trail, Winnisquam-Opechee-Winnipesaukee, www.wowtrail.org, is a proposed 9 mile long, bicycle, walking, cross country skiing, roller skating trail. It will run along the state owned, railroad embankment. directly on the waterfront of the three lakes. It would go from Belmont-Laconia-Weirs Beach-Meredith, almost entirely along the state's railroad right of way.

I think it's an excellent idea because it would create a 9 mile bicycle path. Paved with asphalt, wide enough for a fire truck, and seperated from the existing railroad tracks by a 5' high chain link fence, it would allow the public access to this state owned waterfront access lane.

It is no big surprise that South Down Shore, a gated community, would be opposed and consider it an intrusion onto their leased waterfront area. As an alternative route, South Down could have suggested an alternative route across their property so it would not impact the waterfront. What South Down has suggested, through a vote, is to oppose the trail anywhere on its' property and suggest it get detoured out to Parade Rd, Route 106 with a 45 mph speed limit and heavy traffic. Not too bicycle friendly.

Sounds to me like South Down has an 'it's my way or the highway proposal' attitude.

The three million dollar construction cost is to be shared by federal, state, local, & individual donations.

Depending on the snowfall, it could be used as a nine mile long, asphalt paved, 10' (?) wide, bicycle path from late March to mid-December. It could be a good new venue for safe bicycling along a relative flat path that is entirely on the waterfront.

It would bring a new group of visitors to the Weirs Beach area, bicyclers and roller bladers and walkers-joggers. I suppose it would travel over the already built wood boardwalk as it crosses through the Weirs. People could combine a three hour cruise on the Mount Washington with an 18 mile bike ride, or something. Nine miles of peddling, three hours of eat'n cheeseburgers and watch the views while Cruis'n the Mount, then nine more miles of biking.

Possibly, a bicycle/kayak rental business could succeed at the Weirs? Just like on Martha's Vinyard!

Hopefully, the residents of South Down Shore will reconsider at their upcoming Monday, August 11 meeting.

"(South Down spokesman) acknowledged that the developement does not have the legal authority to prevent the WOW trail from continuing to follow along the state owned railroad corridor."

Hey, it could be a good thing, maybe it's time to give bicycling a try, you might even like it.

08-05-2008, 03:02 PM	#1
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,771 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,019 Times in 741 Posts	wow trail opposed Interesting to see the South Down Shore residents cast a vote yesterday, at their annual meeting, to "oppose the trail coming through anywhere on South Down property." Front page article in today's Aug 5 Laconia Daily Sun. The wow trail, Winnisquam-Opechee-Winnipesaukee, www.wowtrail.org, is a proposed 9 mile long, bicycle, walking, cross country skiing, roller skating trail. It will run along the state owned, railroad embankment. directly on the waterfront of the three lakes. It would go from Belmont-Laconia-Weirs Beach-Meredith, almost entirely along the state's railroad right of way. I think it's an excellent idea because it would create a 9 mile bicycle path. Paved with asphalt, wide enough for a fire truck, and seperated from the existing railroad tracks by a 5' high chain link fence, it would allow the public access to this state owned waterfront access lane. It is no big surprise that South Down Shore, a gated community, would be opposed and consider it an intrusion onto their leased waterfront area. As an alternative route, South Down could have suggested an alternative route across their property so it would not impact the waterfront. What South Down has suggested, through a vote, is to oppose the trail anywhere on its' property and suggest it get detoured out to Parade Rd, Route 106 with a 45 mph speed limit and heavy traffic. Not too bicycle friendly. Sounds to me like South Down has an 'it's my way or the highway proposal' attitude. The three million dollar construction cost is to be shared by federal, state, local, & individual donations. Depending on the snowfall, it could be used as a nine mile long, asphalt paved, 10' (?) wide, bicycle path from late March to mid-December. It could be a good new venue for safe bicycling along a relative flat path that is entirely on the waterfront. It would bring a new group of visitors to the Weirs Beach area, bicyclers and roller bladers and walkers-joggers. I suppose it would travel over the already built wood boardwalk as it crosses through the Weirs. People could combine a three hour cruise on the Mount Washington with an 18 mile bike ride, or something. Nine miles of peddling, three hours of eat'n cheeseburgers and watch the views while Cruis'n the Mount, then nine more miles of biking. Possibly, a bicycle/kayak rental business could succeed at the Weirs? Just like on Martha's Vinyard! Hopefully, the residents of South Down Shore will reconsider at their upcoming Monday, August 11 meeting. "(South Down spokesman) acknowledged that the developement does not have the legal authority to prevent the WOW trail from continuing to follow along the state owned railroad corridor." Hey, it could be a good thing, maybe it's time to give bicycling a try, you might even like it. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 08-05-2008 at 03:33 PM.