Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail, Inc.

10/27/2026

Pictures and videos from the FOCGRT Glow Walk. Thanks to all who attended, especially for bringing donations for the Westfield Food Pantry. It was a fine night to view a beautiful moon and planets, and the weather was great! Special thanks to the WHS band who lead the way and board member Kathy Hillman for coordination of the event.

10/21/2026

We are thrilled to share that the Westfield Police Department has been awarded a $53,630 grant from the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program to focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The grand funds targeted campaigns to increase public education and enforcement.

Fore more information, read the included article or contact the Westfield Police Department.

The Westfield Police Department recently received nearly $54,000 grant to make the city’s streets safer, specifically for pedestrians and cyclists, according to Lt. John Parrish, who leads the department’s traffic bureau.

10/12/2026

Thank you for joining us, Councilor Matthews-Kane! We're thrilled you enjoyed your first Great River Ride.

10/12/2026

That’s a wrap on the Great River Ride 2026! 🚴🌧️

A massive thank-you to all of the riders who came out, tackled the hills, and kept the energy high all the way through—even when the rain rolled in to close out the afternoon. Your grit and good spirits made the day unforgettable.

An event of this scale simply doesn’t run without an extraordinary crew behind the scenes. To our volunteers: thank you for marking routes, managing rest stops, directing traffic, cheering through the drizzle, and keeping everyone safe and supported from sunrise to pack-up.

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible business sponsors. Community support is the engine behind this entire event, directly fueling our cycling advocacy and local trail initiatives.

Special Shout-Outs:

Peppermill Catering LLC: Nothing hits better after wet miles than hot, hearty food. Thank you for welcoming cold, hungry riders with an incredible post-ride spread!

Refill Water Store: Thank you for supplying us with plenty of water and ensuring our riders stayed properly hydrated on course all day long.

Finally, we cannot forget our ride co-presenter, New Horizons Bikes. Their legacy of expertise in events like these is instrumental in ensuring a successful ride.

Rest up, dry out those shoes, and share your favorite ride photos with us in the comments! See you out on the roads and the greenway! 🚲✨

10/11/2026

A beautiful sunrise on Great River Ride day!

10/05/2026

Time is running out to sign up for the autumn's greatest bike ride, the Great River Ride!

Registration closes on Tuesday, October 6th at 11:59pm. Don't miss out on your chance to participate in one of the greatest bike rides of the season!

👉Sign up here: https://www.bikereg.com/great-river-ride

10/05/2026

We had a bright, crisp autumn morning to clean up the Westfield River Esplanade flower beds maintained by the Friends of Columbia Greenway Rail Trail on Sunday October 5. Everyone's diligence and energy were the backbone of a great team effort. As I encourage our active community in Westfield, we are always looking for volunteers to care for the garden beds and planters you enjoy while you're up on the rail trail. Please contact us at Columbiagreenway.org to get involved in blazing new trails for a bicycle- and pedestrian- friendly Westfield.

Special shout out to Deb, Vivi and Heather and Antonio who were not in the team photo but are seen working away in these other shots.

10/04/2026

Behind every great ride is an incredible crew of volunteers! 🚲🍂

The Great River Ride brings hundreds of cyclists through our scenic roads and rail trail corridors every autumn—and our rest stops (and famous warm baked potatoes!) are always the highlight of their day.

We need volunteers to help with:
🥔 Rest stop support
📋 Check-in & registration
🚗 Course support & SAG operations

No cycling experience needed—just positive energy and a desire to support our trail and riding community!

👉 Sign up for a shift today: https://signup.com/go/ZzCORhk

09/23/2026

There’s a crisp chill in the air and autumn is officially rolling in... which means prime riding season is here! 🍁🚴

Nothing beats pedaling through vibrant fall foliage with cool morning air and scenic New England views. Whether you're looking for a relaxing spin along the trails or a challenging trek through the hills, the Great River Ride is the ultimate way to celebrate the start of fall.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 11th! Gather your gear, break out your favorite layers, and come ride with us. Plus, every registration directly supports trail maintenance and local advocacy across our community.

🍂 Spots are filling up—grab your helmet and register today:👉 https://columbiagreenway.org/events/great-river-ride-2026

07/08/2026

Did you know the Great River Ride is October 11, 2026 AND entry fees go up on July 31? Don't wait, now is the time to register and support the Friends of Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. In addition to the renown hills of the Great River Ride there are several rides for the less adventorous:

The Winery Ride uses the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail and New Haven/Northampton Canal Trail for a flat 28 mile ride with a stop at the Brignole Vineyard for snacks (w**e will be available for purchase). Note this stop has our famous bake potatoes + fixings.

The 42 mile road route includes one moderate climb up the Granville Gorge with a mid ride rest stop at the Brignole Winery. At the w**ery you will have the choice of returning on the road (rolling terrain) or using the rail trail (flat). Note this stop has our famous bake potatoes + fixings.

The 25 mile route will give you a taste of the area's hills. While there is no mid-point rest stop on this route, you will be able to visit the Granville Harvest Festival mid-way through the ride. Visit craft booths, sample local Mead and take a break before heading back to the finish party.

So don't wait. Register for the ride for you and get on your bike and ride!!