Peavine Trail Committee Plans Raffle, Gets State AOT Grant

The Peavine Trail Committee is holding a Raffle Drawing to raise matching funds for a grant received from VT Agency of Transportation. Ticket holders have a chance to win a new Raleigh Groove 2.0/24 speed sport comfort bike worth over $400 donated by Green Mt. Bicycles in Rochester.

Other area businesses have donated dozens of prizes to help the Peavine Trail Committee reach their goal to raise money to transform the historic White River Railroad in Stockbridge. They include the Cobble House Inn in Gaysville, Yoga in Rochester, Charles Martley, massage therapist; Seasoned Books and Bakery in Rochester, The Swiss Farm Inn in Pittsfield, and the Judy Jensen Studio in Rochester.

Peavine Trail hats and t-shirts will also be available at the following locations where tickets are sold, including Locust Creek Gas in Bethel, and Seasoned Booksellers in Rochester.

The Agency of Transportation has awarded the committee a $20,000 grant with a 20% matching fund requirement, which has been supported by the town with a $250 allocation at town meeting 2006. This grant will fund the feasibility study which answers specific questions such as cost of construction and environmental impact.

This historic area is already popular for tourists, who walk and bike on dangerous stretches of Rte 100. This proposed trail would provide a safer route for sight-seers and educate users of White River history and ecology.

The White River Railroad was built around the turn of the century between Bethel and Rochester, and followed the White River, paralleling Routes 107 and 100. There was also a spur that went into Pittsfield. The railroad was severely damaged in the 1927 flood, but was rebuilt, then abandoned in 1933 for economic reasons.

The committee proposes converting the railroad bed to a recreational trail for pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles (such as bicycles and cross country skis) and horses. The proposed project includes a two-mile stretch of the railroad bed which extends from the Rochester town line to the Peavine swimming hole. The land is exclusively owned by the United States Forestry Service, a factor which reduces cost and community friction regarding land use.

The proposed trail begins at the existing Peavine swimming hole in Stockbridge, where an access road and parking lot already exist, and provides safe passage for pedestrians and bikers to the Rochester town line. The trail would give pedestrians an alternative to walking on the constricted lanes, and commuters are pleased at the idea of removing bikes and hikers from the narrow and dangerous pass.

The USFS has been in the process of doing some long range planning for the past two years classifying the property into a category for this type of land use, and the Agency of Transportation’s grant is described as an "enhancement program" and has a safety initiative.

This committee has received support from the Stockbridge voters at Town Meeting 2005 and 2006, the Stockbridge Selectboard, Two Rivers Regional Commission and The White River Partnership. The committee has so far received $750 of local support for the matching funds, including contributions from Randolph National Bank, Robson Bilgen Architects and Peter L. Riley’s law office.

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