Outdoor activities a free bus ride away for Manchester residents this summer

For residents of New Hampshire’s largest city, the great outdoors will be a free bus ride away this summer. 

A program in its second year, “Transit to Trails” will transport people at no cost from downtown Manchester to trails, state parks, and water destinations on the first Saturday of each month, from June through October.

It’s a partnership between The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire, Manchester Transit Authority, New Hampshire Audubon, Fresh Start Farms, New Hampshire State Parks, and Manchester City Parks, seeking to break down barriers and expand outdoor recreation access for people who live in and around an urban core.

This summer’s destinations include:

• June 3: Pawtuckaway State Park
• July 1: Manchester City Parks Day (Sheehan-Basquil, Raco-Theodore, Piscataquog River, and Rock Rimmon parks)
• Aug. 5: Bear Brook State Park
• Sept. 2: New Hampshire Audubon Massabesic Center
• Oct. 7: Pawtuckaway State Park

On trip days, buses will depart from the Manchester Transit Authority Information Center at Veteran’s Memorial Park at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., with an additional departure at 1 p.m. on the July 1 Manchester City Parks Day. Buses will then pick up from the locations at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and return passengers to Veteran’s Park. 

The free trips, which include entry to state parks, are on a first come, first served basis.

This summer’s excursions feature a variety of outdoor attractions: sandy lakeside beaches, boat rentals, heavily forested areas, swimming pools and splash pads, hiking trails, popular birding areas, gardens, and more.

During Manchester City Parks Day on July 1, the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success will also hold its Fresh Start Mobile Market at Sheehan-Basquil Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information on the Transit to Trails program and its upcoming trips are available in English, Spanish, and French. To learn more, visit www.nature.org/TransitToTrailsNH.