Thanks to the generous support of businesses and individuals here in Hampton, funds were raised to secure a fund matching grant from the Eastern Regional Tourism District for a collaborative project with six other towns (Columbia, Pomfret, Portland, Putnam, Thompson and Windham) to create fold out pocket maps of the Air Line Trail to be distributed at no charge in each of the towns.

These handy maps fold down to credit card size, and with a cardstock front and back, are durable and a perfect fit into a wallet or pocket.  One side depicts the Air Line Trail in its entirety along with historical information about the trail.  The flip side is Hampton specific, illustrating the Hampton section of the trail. It notes trail entrances and attractions and provides descriptions and photos of some of the trail highlights. Major attractions at Goodwin State Forest and Trail Wood are featured and beautiful photographs, which were generously donated by Pete Vertefeuille and Eleanor Linkkila, capture the essence of Hampton’s hidden gems of the Quiet Corner.

These maps are free and available at the Education Center located in the Pine Acres Homestead House on Potter Road and will be made available to local businesses who wish to have them available for customers. The remaining six towns who participated in this project will have their own town-specific maps available at no charge to trail users in their respective towns.

Laura McCabe