Littleton NH River District
The River District
Littleton's official River District winds along the Ammonoosuc River from the multi modal bridge on Bridge Street through the Apthorp District on Union Street and beyond into Bethlehem via the Rail Trail.
The River District includes multiple footbridges, a walking path, Harmony Park, restaurants, and more.
VISIT
Start under the Pollyanna Gateway on Main Street, walk through Porter Lane and land near the covered foot bridge. Follow the gravel path to the Curran Suspension Bridge and back to Main Street, or loop further to the multi modal bridge on Bridge Street.
Along the way, discover Harmony Park - an outdoor musical experience -, inspiring views, and get your feet wet while exploring the flat rocks on the river.
RIVER DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT
Founded in 2012, the River District Commission is a master-planned community group of state and town officials and local residents dedicated to revitalizing Littleton's beautiful River District.
Thanks to the outstanding support and investments from local businesses and the Town of Littleton, River District Redevelopment construction continues. The funds invested in recent years by the Town and local businesses provided seed money to secure several million dollars of state and federal funding for the project.
River District Redevelopment Update
The purchase of the 7-acre Murro Property on Riverglen Lane was finalized in 2021. Commonly used as the Littleton Farmers' Market field, the new "Riverview Commons" will include an expanded community space with access for all, a reconfigured parking lot with additional parking, additional electric outlets, and more.
In Progress
- 2021/25 - Riverfront Commons
- 2021/24 - Mill Street & Cottage Street Sidewalk Reconstruction
Beyond
- Saranac Street/Meadow Street Intersection - Reconstruct the dangerous west vehicle entrance to River District by eliminating existing intersection, instead using Bridge Street and new road to connect to Saranac.
- Main Street Phase II - Complete street project from the Littleton Diner to The Beal House to reconstruct the street, sidewalk, lighting, sewer, water, and stormwater drainage, similar to Main Street Phase I.
Major Milestones
2022 - Rail Trail creation from Industrial Park to Redington Street
2019 - Plan NH Charette
Plans for Riverview Commons, to be established on the field on the south side of the river.
2016 - Phase I: Infrastructure Improvements, Multi Modal Bridge & Littleton Sidwalk Connectivity Project
Following a narrow defeat at the 2015 Town Meeting, the Commission came back to the voters in 2016 with a comprehensive plan to continue upgrading the River District, which easily won.
This allotted $900,000 to be used as matching funds for outside grants. Numerous grants were applied for and received, including $500,000 in State of NH CDBG funds and $1,000,000 from the federal EDA to upgrade infrastructure improvements along Saranac, Ammonoosuc, & Mill Streets, as well as $400,000 of CDFA tax credits and $250,000 from Northern Border Regional Commission to complete the multi-modal bridge on Bridge Street.
Also part of the funding achieved in 2016 was $800,000 from a Federal TAP grant for the Littleton Sidewalk Connectivity Project which funds sidewalk reconstruction on eight different downtown streets including the long-awaited Cottage Street improvement.
2014 - Phase I
$250,000 was raised in private donations to fund the first round of improvements to the River District thanks to the generosity of our local businesses. This included arches to the Main Street entrances to the district (Mill Street and the Pollyanna Gateway) as well as complete reconstruction of the sidewalk and fencing along the Mill Street Parking area, clearing of brush to open the river up, and a cobblestone viewing platform overlooking the Ammonoosuc River.
Pollyanna Gateway
