You are invited to a Ribbon Cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of new
trails in Northampton on Saturday, June 13th at 12:00 pm. Please come celebrate
our city's expanded trail network! This is an exciting time for the rail-trails
of Northampton, and we encourage you to attend.

The City of Northampton and Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways are
pleased to celebrate the opening of new trails in Northampton. A special ribbon
cutting ceremony and events will take place on Saturday, June 13th at noon (rain
or shine) to formally open the first section of the Manhan Rail Trail in
Northampton (Earle Street to New South Street section).

Please gather at the National Felt Parking Lot at 136 West Street (Route 66),
near Veterans field in Northampton. We will walk to the new rail trail bridge
over the Manhan River, which is about 250 feet from the parking lot. From this
beautiful spot we will celebrate the opening of this new trail.

This fun and family friendly event will honor and thank the many people and
organizations that have come together over many years to help create a web of
trails and greenways that connect our entire City, together with regional trails
that someday will connect Northampton to Boston, New Haven, and beyond, along
old railroad lines. Mayor Clare Higgins will help officially open the trail,
and MCing the event will be Wayne Feiden, Director of the Office of Planning and
Development for the City of Northampton, who has demonstrated outstanding vision
for the city's trail network and has coordinated the trails' expansion.

Immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony there will be a walking and a
biking tour of the new trail. These hour-long tours will introduce the new
trails and point out the natural landscape and historical uses of the trails in
our community.

The Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways will also unveil the new map of
Northampton trails. FNTG has produced a free community trail map, and this year
it is updated and expanded to shows all of Northampton's current, new, and
future rail-trails, highlights recommended biking routes on area roads, and
indications of local public walking trails.

The ribbon cutting, trail tours, and events will take place on Saturday, June
13th at 12:00pm, rain or shine, and is free and open to the public.

Julia