Dear CTC Member,

This month, we celebrate the first anniversary of the Pelham Community Trail Coalition! Established by the Council on Aging in November 2023, our mission is to make Pelham’s trails accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. Thanks to your support and dedication, we’ve accomplished so much in just one year!

Our First Year of Achievements:

🌿 Building Community and Engagement:

• 250+ passionate members joined our cause.
• Launched our website and Facebook page, sharing updates and inspiring trail stories.
• Hosted guided nature hikes and the Pelham Fall Festival, attended by 100+ people, educating about Monarch butterflies, local wildlife, and conservation.

🏞 Enhancing Trails and Safety:

• Developed a clear trail rating system and assessed key trails like Pelham Veteran’s Memorial Park (PVMP), Merriam Farm, and Little Island Pond.
• Installed benches, kiosks, and bluebird houses at PVMP.
• Held a trail clean-up day and nature hike, bringing the community together for hands-on improvements.

🚶‍♂️ Promoting Accessibility:

• Conducted an Accessible Trail Feasibility Study, selecting Merriam Farm for Pelham’s first All-Persons Trail.
• Learned from accessible trails across New England and developed a fundraising plan to bring this vision to life.

📚 Educating Our Community:

• Created informative brochures covering trail history, flora, and fauna for PVMP and Merriam Farm.
• Produced and shared trail videos to highlight Pelham’s natural beauty and promote safety.
• Conducted hands-on workshops on trail maintenance and erosion control.

Looking Ahead:

In 2025, we plan to expand our brochure initiative, host more guided nature hikes, plant geocaches on trails, raise funds to build an All-Persons Trail at Merriam Farm, and continue making Pelham’s trails welcoming for all ages and abilities.

Your passion and support fuel our progress. Together, we’re building an age-friendly, accessible trail system that our entire community can enjoy. Thank you for being part of this journey—here’s to an even brighter year ahead!

With gratitude,
Yvonne La-Garde
Chairperson, Pelham Community Trail Coalition