This picture taken at Charter Oak Park offers contrasting views of the wildness of Hop Brook on one side of the trail and the green playing fields, courts, and playgrounds on the other.
Basketball rims at Manchester parks were removed, and the playgrounds fenced off to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19. But many trails are wide enough to allow 6 feet of physical distance while providing an opportunity for social connection if walking with a friend.
I am grateful for the green spaces in Manchester. The latest upgrades to our parks and trails have re-connected us with the beauty and tranquility of nature. Substantial revisions and the guidance of friendly recreational staff members provide opportunities for exhilarating play and creative expression. It is a pleasure to anticipate the joyful return to the full use of our parks in the not too distant future.
In the meantime, social distance walking in one of Manchester’s parks or on trails, considering the words of Rachel Carson, is nourishment for the soul during these days of uncertainty.
“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.”
In November, 50 people (including me) set off from the Fuss & O’Neill office building on Hartford Rd. to enjoy a talk about local history and experience the most recent addition to the Manchester parks on the newly completed southern portion of Cheney Rail Trail.
The group hiked from Fuss & O’Neill on Hartford Rd. to the start of the new trail behind the Lofts at the Mills Apartments. Then, on the trail, under the Park St bridge and up to Center St where we had to leave the trail briefly to cross Center St. The new railroad trestle over Center St had not been completed at that time. The walk ended at Center Springs Park. We returned along city streets.
Susan Barlow led the hike and provided information about the history of the Cheney Railroad and the surrounding area. The talk came alive with stories of bygone days in Manchester and the use of pictures taken over 100 years ago of the areas we were standing in and walking through.
The first site of historical significance is Old Engine Company Number One. The firehouse located at the corner of Pine St and Hartford Rd was built by the Cheneys and donated to the town.
Next stop on the tour was the Velvet Mill. The Cheneys were interested in hiring skilled workers. Some of the most skilled workers lived in Non-English speaking countries. These workers arrived in Manchester from around the world to work at the Cheney Mills. To overcome language issues, newly hired workers were given a card with a letter and a number on it similar to the V1 painted on the Velvet Mill in the picture. This indicated the correct building and entrance to begin work.
Velvet Mill Building
Across the street from the Velvet Mill is the Clocktower Mill. The smokestack in the background is still in pretty good shape so it has been re-purposed as a cell phone tower.
Clock Tower Mill with old smokestack in backgroundSmokestack/Cell Phone Tower
Almost all of the old mill building are now apartments. During the walk we stopped frequently while Susan explained interesting architectural features of the buildings, when they were built, and what was produced in each one.
Architectural Features Known as Medallions, Ashlar & Pilaster (Built in 1901)
In addition to the Velvet Mill and Clocktower Mill, there was a Spinning Mill, Ribbon Mills, machine shop, dye house, silk storage vaults and a storage building large enough for a railroad car.
Old Silk Storage Vaults (still in use as storage)Railroad Car Storage
The Cheney Rail Service carried silk and passengers between the north and south ends of Manchester. Large locomotives weren’t needed for these relatively light loads and a smaller engine called a Yard Goat was used. Yard Goat?
The trail begins right near the old railroad yard.
Railroad Yard in 1932 and Cheney’s Yard Goat
Railroad Yard Today
Some of the tracks were in good shape and were kept in place to create a sense of authenticity.
Tracks left in place near rail trail.
One of the conductors lived in this house overlooking the rail yard right before the Park St. Bridge.
Cheney’s Goat is above the front door and on the shutters
The trail is 2.5 miles long and ends at Farr’s Department Store in the North End of Manchester. The railroad was the shortest line in the United States but had the unique distinction of having more linear feet of tracks in the railroad yard than on the 2.5 mile route.
There are some great views from the bridge overlooking Center Springs Park.
Bridge overlooking Center Springs Park and turnaround point for the hike.View of Center Springs Park from the Bridge
The next free rail trail hike on the Cheney Rail Trail is scheduled for this Sunday at 1:00. This hike will begin at the north end of the trail. The meeting location is 2 Main St. I highly recommend this activity!!!
Manchester’s contribution to the East Coast Greenway is the Charter Oak Trail. The East Coast Greenway “connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. We are fostering a safe walking and biking route through the country’s most populated corridor.”
Many, many, many years ago a friend and I rode on ten speed bikes from West Palm Beach, Florida to West Hartford, CT. The East Coast Greenway did not exist in 1980 so we rode on back roads like Route 1 and 1A in Florida and Route 17 through Georgia and the Carolinas. We encountered a small problem in New Jersey and took quite a risk by riding our bikes on the Garden State Parkway from one exit to the next.
When the Greenway is complete a bike rider could ride from Florida to Maine almost entirely away from busy streets and traffic. Back in the day, I never would have dreamed this was possible. Given how polarized the country is today, the East Coast Greenway Alliance continues to be an amazing feat of interstate communication, cooperation and sharing of resources.
The East Coast Greenway is 33% complete but the section of the greenway located in Manchester is 100% complete. Enjoy the ride!!
One year ago I began this blog with a post about the K-9 Doggie Kerplunk. I was proud to attend the free swim for dogs with Esther as my companion this year. She had the time of her young life and did not stop running for one second because there was always something new to chase or see or hear or smell. I hope you can find your own dog in these pictures.
Update with August Pictures – What a difference a few months can make The rejuvenation of Center Springs Park has been a great addition to downtown Manchester. Trails through the park connect downtown Manchester to the Parkade.
One Sunday morning in April, after a delicious breakfast at Sol de Borinquen Bakery Jr. we took a walk from the bakery up Main St in downtown Manchester through Center Springs Park to Broad St across from the parkade.
View of Main St from a table at Sol de Borinquen Bakery Jr
Entrance to Center Springs Park from Lincoln Center Parking Lot
The sights and sound encountered while walking on city streets is entertaining but it’s a pleasant change of pace to walk on the trails through the park. Thoughtful design in Manchester has created a unique connection between one commercial area and another.
Center Springs Falls “Second-Best Fishing Place of the Podunks” – History of Manchester, Connecticut, by Mathias Spiess and Percy W. Bidwell, 1924
Bigelow Brook
Disc Golf
Shady Area (when the leaves come out in a month or so)
Fishing Pier on Pond with Cheney Rail Trail Bridge in the Background
The Charter Oak Greenway section of the East Coast Greenway provides travel through the south end of Manchester from Bolton to East Hartford by foot or bike. The trail is an exciting way to see Manchester as it winds it’s way along Highland St across and along Birch Mountain Brook and Hop Meadow Brook and through Charter Oak Park and finally the grounds of Manchester Community College and a huge array of solar panels..
Someday soon the Cheney Rail Trail will connect to the East Coast Greenway to travel north. Construction will begin this year.
Cheney Rail Trail Bridge
Beautiful Morning in Center Springs Park
View of the Fishing Pier and Center Congregational Church Steeple
These pictures were taken from behind the Market Grille Restaurant as the sun was setting on November 3, 2018. It’s easy to identify the Traveler’s Tower on the left and City Place on the right.
This picture taken at Charter Oak Park offers contrasting views of the wildness of Hop Brook on one side of the trail and the green playing fields, courts, and playgrounds on the other. 
The rejuvenation of Center Springs Park has been a great addition to downtown Manchester. Trails through the park connect downtown Manchester to the Parkade.
as the sun was setting on November 3, 2018. It’s easy to identify the Traveler’s Tower on the left and City Place on the right.
Some nice fall colors too.
Good night sun.