Open Our Trails
Rye, New Hampshire
THE VOTERS MADE THEIR CHOICE
Rye voted overwhelmingly to reopen the trails.
ELECTION RESULTS
RYE VOTED TO REOPEN THE TRAILS.
The voters have spoken. Now let's get it done.
On September 8, Rye voters overwhelmingly approved Article 4 and directed that the trails closed earlier this year be reopened.That vote deserves more than acknowledgment. It deserves action.Open Trails Rye will now focus on what comes next: following the reopening process, keeping residents informed, and making sure the clear direction given by Rye voters is respected.
Hear the vote. Hear the public. Work with us.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
We'll be following the process closely and keeping residents informed as Article 4 is implemented, including:
• Reopening the affected trails
• Rerouting the Cedar Run Red Trail onto town-owned land
• RCC and Select Board actions related to implementation
• Timelines and progress
• Opportunities for public participation.And if unnecessary obstacles or delays arise, we'll report those too.The election is over. The mandate is clear.Let's get our trails open.
WHAT WAS AT STAKE
The RCC's April 30 decision closed roughly one-third of Rye's conservation trail network.On September 8, Rye voters chose to restore that access.
1 IN 3 MILES OF RYE'S CONSERVATION TRAIL NETWORK WERE AFFECTED BY THE APRIL 30 CLOSURESOn September 8, Rye voters chose to restore that access.
RCC PROGRESS & TRAIL STATUS
TRAIL REOPENING STATUS🟢 OPEN — reopened and accessible
🟡 IN PROGRESS — implementation underway
🔴 AWAITING ACTION — no reopening action yet
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES ON TRAIL STATUS
WHY THE TRAILS MATTER
Good conservation manages human access. It doesn't simply eliminate it.
Closing trails doesn't eliminate human activity on conservation land. People can still walk these properties. The question is whether that activity happens on managed trails or is dispersed throughout the landscape. Well-designed trails can help direct people through conservation areas while reducing unnecessary disturbance to surrounding habitat.
STAY ON TRAIL
Managed trails concentrate foot traffic and help reduce trampling and disturbance outside designated routes.
CONNECT PEOPLE & NATURE
Trails connect people with nature and help build appreciation and support for protecting open space.
MANAGE, DON'T ELIMINATE
Seasonal restrictions, rerouting, signage, buffers, and other management tools can protect sensitive areas without broadly eliminating trail access.
Today's trail users could become tomorrow's conservationists.
CONTACT US
Questions? Want to help?
Have a question about the trail reopening process, or want to be part of what comes next? Send us a message below.We’re also building a list of residents willing to volunteer when the time comes. Having volunteers ready to go can help the RCC move quickly, keep costs down, and avoid having to start from scratch once a reopening plan is in place.Interested? Just fill out the form below. There’s no commitment; we’re simply gathering names now so we’re ready when there’s a clear plan and work to be done.
Paid for by Keep Rye Free, Neal King, Treasurer, 330 Wallis Rd. Rye, NH