Narcan Boxes Installed along Manhan Rail Trail
August 1, 2026 – Two Narcan boxes were installed along the Manhan Rail Trail in Easthampton today. The Naloxone Overdose Emergency Kits were provided by the Police Department’s Drug Addiction Recovery Team (DART), in collaboration with Hampshire Hope.
One box is on the trail just north of Union Street. The second box is at the Route 5 trail head by the Oxbow.
The boxes contain doses of the drug Naloxone, allowing passersby to assist someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose crisis.
Thank you to our MRT committee volunteers and the DART team for their efforts to keep all trail users safe.
$408,000 Grant Awarded to Easthampton for Manhan Rail Trail Repairs
June 2026 – The City of Easthampton has been awarded a $408,320 grant from the Massachusetts MassTrails Grant Program to fund critical improvements to the Manhan Rail Trail, enhancing safety and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
The MassTrails Grant Program, administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, supports the development of recreational trails and shared-use pathways statewide. Grants through the program fund a full range of project needs, including planning, design, engineering, permitting, construction, and ongoing maintenance.
This award will address longstanding pavement deterioration along the Manhan Rail Trail caused by tree roots and other natural conditions. Planned work includes the removal of trees and roots that have heaved sections of the trail surface, along with a range of pavement repairs: crack sealing, mill-and-overlay resurfacing, full-depth trench repairs, root barrier installations, and other preventative measures designed to extend the trail’s long-term durability.
Mayor Derby stated, “This grant is a meaningful investment in the quality of life we offer our residents. The Manhan Rail Trail is one of Easthampton’s most valued public spaces, and these improvements will ensure it remains safe, accessible, and enjoyable for walkers, cyclists, and families for years to come. I’m grateful to the Commonwealth for recognizing the importance of this project.”
For more information about the MassTrails Grant Program, visit: mass.gov/guides/masstrails-
Manhan Rail Trail Named One of MassTrails 10 in Massachusetts
June 2026 – The Manhan Rail Trail in Easthampton has been chosen as one of the MassTrails10, a select group of multi-use trails in Massachusetts. Our trail is being highlighted by the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation during the week of June 8, 2026.
The trails were chosen based on their opportunities for recreation, transportation, accessibility and community connection. The Manhan Rail Trail offers one of the most scenic rides in the Pioneer Valley, stretching 6.5 miles between Northampton and Easthampton
Along the way, trail users enjoy views of Mount Tom and the Connecticut River Oxbow and provides easy access to nearby nature preserves—making it a perfect route for both recreation and relaxation.
The trail also connects into the Norwottuck Section of the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail at its northern end, opening the door to even longer regional rides. We are so fortunate to have this very popular trail in our community!
For more information please visit: https://www.masstrails10.org/manhan.html
Manhan Rail Trail Mayor’s Ride, May 17, 2026
We had a great turnout for the first ever Manhan Rail Trail Mayor’s Ride May 17, 2026. We are grateful for everyone who came out to join us for this Bike Week event in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Special thanks to Mayor Salem Derby for his time, and also to Tandem Bagel for providing some bagels. It was a beautiful day on our beautiful trail! And here is the link to a short video courtesy volunteer Thomas Draudt: BikeWeek_Edit_05.mp4
Manhan Rail Trail Clean Up/Mulching Event May 9, 2026
Thanks to our hardy volunteers who turned out in the rain, we were able to clean up and mulch a section of the Manhan Rail Trail May 9, 2026. The area by the mural, between Payson Avenue and Union Street in Easthampton now looks pristine!
Special thanks to George Labrie who brought his Bobcat, which helped speed up the work tremendously! And another thanks to Paul Lacoco who, earlier that week, had painted the entire background wall on the building behind the mural.
We all appreciate our volunteers here in Easthampton – they are the best!
Expect Trail Closures for Rehab Work
June 19, 2025: Work is nearly completed on the Manhan Rail Trail as part of a $440,000 Mass Trails grant rehabilitation project. However, some sections of the trail remain closed.
Crews removed high risk trees and repaved sections of the trail that were plagued by large numbers of cracks, caused by tree roots. Most of the work was done between South Street and Ferry Street. Please visit our Facebook page for updates on the re-opening of the repaired sections.
The $440,000 project is being funded by $330,00 from the grant and a required match from the city of $110,000, with $10,000 of that coming from the Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail donations account.
Trail Closure for Utility Work
Feb. 2025: To complete essential utility work, a section of the Manhan Rail Trail from Lovefield Street in Easthampton to the Route 10 bridge in Northampton will be closed from March 3, 2025, through the end of April. (See map below) Please exercise caution when in the area.
For more information, contact: James.King1@nationalgrid.com
MassTrails Grant to Fund Manhan Rail Trail Rehab
Oct. 14, 2024 update – The Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail are thrilled to announce that the City of Easthampton has received a large grant from MassTrails for the rehabilitation of our extremely popular bike path. The $440,000 project will be funded by $330,00 from the grant and a required match from the city of $110,000, with $10,000 of that coming from the Friends donations account. The City Council approved the appropriation of the city’s $100,000 contribution at its meeting Oct. 9, 2024.
Contracts are in place, according to Department of Public Works Director Greg Nuttelman. Work is expected to begin with the next few months.
The funds will be used to resurface and repair deteriorating sections of the trail, some of which are 20 years old. The project also includes the removal of several trees that are creating hazardous conditions for trail users. Stay tuned for details on this upcoming project.
Valet Bike Parking at Cultural Chaos
June 8, 2024 – The Valet Bike Parking for this year’s Cultural Chaos in Easthampton, provided by the Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail with assistance from MassBike, was a HUGE success. The bike racks filled up and everyone seemed to appreciate the convenience and security of the service.
Thanks to all who chose to ride their bikes to this event, thanks to our Manhan Rail Trail volunteers and a special thanks to MassBike for all that they do to promote biking in the region!
Manhan Rail Trail Mulching Party & Clean-up, a Big Success!
May 13, 2024 – A hearty bunch of volunteers spent more than an hour weeding and mulching the plant bed between the Manhan Rail Trail mural and Tandem Bagel in Easthampton May 4th. Mulch was also spread around bushes at the southern trailhead at Coleman Road.
Payson Avenue Trail Crossing Closed Temporarily
As part of the pedestrian safety improvements underway on Payson Avenue, Easthampton, Massachusetts, a section of the Manhan Rail Trail at the crossing of Payson Avenue will be closed until approximately Friday, May 29, 2023. Users are asked to avoid the intersection and seek an alternate route through the intersection.
Earlier this month, work started on this collaborative project between Planning, DPW, and the Mayor’s office. It is partially funded by a $200,000 MassDOT Shared Streets grant and is aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety. The project will include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Construction of a new raised crosswalk for the Manhan Rail Trail on Payson Ave
- Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons
- Enhancement of crosswalk and minor adjustment to the corner of Railroad Street
- Construction of a new 10 feet wide sidewalk along Payson Avenue (in front of the Public Safety Complex) to better connect the Manhan Rail Trail to the downtown
- Enhanced ADA ramps and installation of a new bike rack at City Hall
- Reconstruction of the roadway (mill and pave, re-setting granite curbs, and repairing sidewalks on south side) from the Manhan Rail Trail to Union Street
The project is expected to be substantially complete by Memorial Day.
Mulching Project Beautifies Mural Area
April 29,2023 – A group of hardworking volunteers braved the cold drizzle to weed and spread mulch along the trail between Union Street and Payson Avenue today.
Armed with shovels, rakes, weeding tools and wheelbarrows, the group spread the mulch around the bushes and trees in front of the mural and down the trail in both directions.
Special thanks to George Labrie, who brought his bobcat to help load the wheelbarrows with the heavy mulch. This made the job go much quicker and our volunteers appreciated not having to shovel the mulch into the wheelbarrows, which is backbreaking work! The area looks great now – thanks again to everyone who helped out!
Manhan Rail Trail Landscaping Project to Begin Soon
April 20, 2022 – The Manhan Rail Trail Committee, in conjunction with Williston Northampton School, will be re-landscaping the area along the trail adjacent to the Tandem Bagel Company restaurant between Union Street and Payson Avenue. The work is expected to begin in late April or early May, 2022.
Trail users may be re-routed to a short detour during part of the work and should use caution when approaching the work area during construction.
The project will entail removing existing trees and shrubs and replacing them with native species of more appropriate sizes. Every effort is being made to choose plants that are non-invasive, low maintenance, butterfly and bird friendly, drought tolerant, disease resistant and cold hardy.
The project includes new security lighting in the area between Tandem Bagel and the mural.
The Manhan Rail Trail Committee is grateful to be able to partner with Williston Northampton School on this improvement project. We expect the new landscaping to greatly enhance the safety and the enjoyment of trail users.