Partnership and Progress: Advancing the Ossipee Rail Trail

Usually, when the snow flies and the thermometer drops, CVRTC members are busy working on their railcars or tending to winter projects. This year, members were involved in overseeing a brush-cutting project on the line we maintain in Ossipee, NH—approximately nine miles of rail line. The section runs between the Route 28 bridge and the Route 16 crossing along what is known as the Conway Branch. In total, 21 miles were transferred.

In 2025, the NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) passed management of this corridor to the NH Bureau of Trails (NHBOT) and the NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NHDNCR) to oversee the development of a rail trail.

CVRTC has maintained this section of the corridor for the past 23 years, managing brush encroachment as well as infrastructure, washouts, and mowing. Working closely with NHBOT, CVRTC applied for and received a $78,000 grant through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) to open the right-of-way (ROW) and prepare the corridor for the anticipated rail trail, which will run from Ossipee, NH, to the Conway, NH line.

This project was performed by Chris Ellis, owner of Northeast Right-of-Way, Inc. We can’t say enough about the quality of work Chris provided in carrying out this brush cutting—an exceptional result. Once completed, the project will provide better snow coverage for the snowmobile community, extending their season; safer access for walkers, runners, and bicyclists; reduced maintenance needs; and improved sightlines for railcar use, along with benefits for a variety of recreational uses. The before-and-after results are remarkable.

Due to federal Endangered Species Act timeframes, CVRTC had a very tight window to complete this project. With a little help from Mother Nature holding off, volunteers from the Friends of the Ossipee Rail Trail (FORT), the Ossipee Valley Snowmobile Club (OVSC), and the general public, CVRTC was able to complete the project within the established timeline. This is the same type of RTP project successfully completed on the Cotton Valley Rail Trail in 2022. On that project, CVRTC worked closely with our trail partner organization, the Cotton Valley Trail Committee (CVTC), to remove leftover debris from brush cutting and finish well within the timeline.

Over the years, CVRTC has secured well over $250,000 in RTP grants that directly support the 18 miles of trails we share with other users. We work diligently toward a common goal: developing projects that benefit all trail stakeholders.

We look forward to building new alliances and continuing collaboration around the use of the Ossipee Rail Trail. Strong relationships with dedicated trail partners form the backbone of good stewardship and provide essential resources for maintaining our trail system in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. Without the support and guidance of NHBOT, none of this would be possible.