With Craig Della Penna

In this zoom presentation, Rails-to-Trails expert and Florence resident Craig Della Penna will explain the 40+ year effort to convert 100+ miles of former steam railroad line between Boston and Northampton into a rail trail. Known as the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT), the corridor passes through dozens of towns, intersects 18+ other developing rail trails, and is now close to completion. Della Penna will detail the history of rail lines in New England and describe some of the highlights and opportunities for communities and trail users along the MCRT.

Craig Della Penna is the Board President of Norwottuck Network (NN)—a 20+ year old 501c3. He has given over 1,200 lectures in 21 states on various topics related to the conversion of former railroads into linear parks. He is also the author of five books and op-eds in numerous newspapers. He is the first realtor in the United States with a niche practice of selling houses near rail trails.  He and his wife Kathleen also operate an award-winning bed & breakfast, Sugar Maple Trailside Inn, that sits 8 feet from the rail trail in Northampton’s historic Civil War era industrial village of Florence.