New England's Millennium Trails
Explore America's Legacy Along
These Nationally Recognized Routes
Dateline: 1/13/00
Last
October, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater announced
the designation of 50 Millennium Legacy
Trails, one each for 47 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands. The Millennium Legacy Trails were selected from nominations by the
Governors of the states and territories because they reflect the essence and spirit of the
areas they represent. As Clinton said when she announced the selected trails, "These
50 Millennium Legacy trails symbolize the spirit of our efforts to connect our
nation’s culture, heritage and communities."
Of course, Clinton will probably be too busy traveling the campaign trail during her New York senatorial bid to explore New England's Millennium Legacy Trails, but hopefully you'll have a chance to set out and discover the historic and cultural treasures that lie along these routes. Here's a quick look at those trails in New England that were selected as Millennium Legacy Trails.
Connecticut
Connecticut
Impressionist Art Trail
Connecticut's Impressionist Art Trail is a collaboration of 10 private and public
museums that highlight the work of American Impressionist painters. Connecticut's trail
was the only "arts" trail recognized--historic and scenic features led to the
selection of most of the Millennium Legacy Trails. The Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail
takes in several historic sites where American Impressionists lived and worked including
the Bush-Holley Historic Site and the Florence Griswold Museum--both National Historic
Landmarks--and the Weir Farm National Historic Site,
Connecticut's only National Park and America's only National Park dedicated to a painter.
Stretching across northern and central parts of Connecticut, the trail provides views of
Long Island Sound and opportunities to visit large cities including Hartford, New Haven
and New London, and smaller towns including Cos Cob, Old Lyme, and Farmington.
At the Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail Web site, you'll find suggested driving tour directions, descriptions of museums along the Trail, and instructions for requesting a free brochure to help you plan your trip.
Maine
Acadia
National Park Trail
This 130-mile trail takes Maine visitors past dramatic views of granite mountains
and the rugged coasts of Mount Desert Island in Acadia
National Park, the country's seventh most visited National Park. Hike the trail (well,
probably not the whole thing!) or even take a carriage tour. Whether you're
planning to explore this Millennium Legacy Trail on foot, by car, or on two wheels, you'll
find activity information at the
Park's Web site, along with general
information on getting to Acadia, admission fees, and more.
Massachusetts
Norwottuck
Network
This extensive system of trails that has grown from the original 8.5-mile Norwottuck Rail Trail includes bike
paths, waterways, greenways, parks, protected forests, and urban walks spanning the
Pioneer Valley in central Massachusetts. Otter River State Forest and the Four Towns Trail
mark the northeast and southeast boundaries of the trail network. The network area
encompasses urban and developing regions in and around Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee,
Easthampton, Northampton, Amherst, Deerfield, and Greenfield, as well as farmland,
mountainous areas, the Quabbin Reservoir, the Connecticut River shoreline, and protected
forests, rivers, and streams.
The trail system is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, which provides directions to the Rail Trail that is the central hub of the trail network.
New Hampshire
Franconia
Notch State Park Recreation Trail
This 8.8-mile paved trail through the heart of Franconia Notch State Park
provides non-motorized access to some of the Granite State's most spectacular scenery. The
trail enables walkers, hikers, cyclists, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers to
experience all of the park’s renowned natural landmarks including the “Old Man
of the Mountain”--the "Great Stone Face" immortalized by Nathaniel
Hawthorne and Daniel Webster and the state of New Hampshire’s most famous symbol.
Other attractions located along the trail include the Flume Gorge, Cannon Mountain Ski
Area, Lafayette Place Campground, the Basin, Profile Lake, and Echo Lake.
New Hampshire State Parks provides general information on getting to Franconia Notch State Park and partaking of all of its recreational opportunities.
Rhode Island
Rhode
Island Statewide Greenway System
Rhode Island's 500-mile greenway corridor includes a 200-mile bikeway and a
70-mile rail trail. The mission of the Rhode Island Greenway System is to preserve a third
of the Ocean State's land for recreational use, and, when complete, the greenway will
include more than 770 miles of trails.
Greenway.org provides an overview map of the Rhode Island Greenway. Visit the Ocean State Online Web site for details on Rhode Island Greenways recreational activities.
Vermont
Lake
Champlain Bikeways
The Lake Champlain Valley of Vermont, New York, and Quebec is home to a
world-class, 1,100-mile international network of bicycle routes, including a 350-mile
circuit around Vermont's Lake Champlain. With an additional 24 interpretive theme loops
that are 5 to 60 miles in length and take in fabulous natural, cultural and historic
resources, this is a premier destination for cyclists.
The Lake Champlain Bikeways Web site provides directions for accessing this Millennium Legacy Trail and information on services along the routes and bicycling events in the region.
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