Mascoma River Greenway

Four summers ago I helped the Upper Valley Trails Alliance remove railroad ties from what used to be the Northern Railroad, which was first opened in 1847. Just this summer the Mascoma River Greenway opened as a brand new trail connecting West Lebanon to downtown Lebanon. Having gotten the chance to work on this trail and see it develop, this opening was very exciting for me. Also, since I live in West Lebanon and most of my friends live in downtown Lebanon, having this easy connection between us is convenient.

The Greenway is a beneficial connection between the two Upper Valley communities. It gives the people in those communities a place to get exercise, admire the history and nature of Lebanon, and create a stronger network among Lebanon residents. The trail even has a couple of public spaces along the path that allow people to take more time to appreciate the environment. The Mascoma Greenway is a positive addition to the expansive Northern Rail Trail, that continues the valuable development of the city of Lebanon.

Some of the public spaces on the Greenway have artwork that was added as a result of a community contest hosted by the AVA Gallery and Lebanon Recreation Department. The steel umbrella was created by local artists Margaret Jacobs and Justin O'Rourke and the wheel was created by Susan Johnson. These two art pieces change the environment of the Mascoma Greenway by reflecting on the richness of its history and making the public space more enjoyable. Each of these pieces is appropriate for cultivating knowledge of Lebanon while on the trail, the "Wheels" sculpture, for example, being a representation of the first sawmill in Lebanon.

The steel umbrella sculpture is a whimsical piece that positively reinforces the small public space around it. Although my phone died before I was able to take a picture of the area, I painted a sketch of the place to give a sense of what it felt like.

Whatever the weather is like, the umbrella causes the viewer to pay attention to their surroundings. The area around the sculpture is a beautiful section close to the Mascoma River, highlighting some of the most prized scenery of Lebanon. The umbrella sculpture does not try to overshadow the view and instead compliments it. The art piece has yellow polka dots which give it a cheerful aura and brightens up the mood of anyone observing it, despite its hint at possibly gloomy weather. The umbrella is big enough to sit under which contributes to its playful quality. In general, the steel umbrella has a childlike character, because of its size, placement, and color. It ameliorates the surrounding public space making it pleasant and attractive.

Out of the many purposes of the Mascoma River Greenway, these small public spaces along the trail help improve the community of Lebanon. The trail is more than just a place to exercise. It can be somewhere where you can make a new friend or appreciate artwork created by local artists. Having these public spaces makes the Greenway a desirable place to be in for anyone who would like to spend time outside.