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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) NH Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander spent Tuesday evening with Cheshire County Democrats this week, recognizing longtime community advocate Chuck Redfern for his decades of work shaping the city’s extensive trail network.
The event, held before a full-capacity audience with additional participants joining online, highlighted Redfern’s role in founding Pathways for Keene and helping turn former rail corridors and overgrown paths into a connected system of recreational trails throughout the city.
Goodlander presented Redfern with a letter of recognition, praising what she described as his relentless commitment to improving the community.
“You have been described by many (with great admiration) as a ‘force of nature,’” Goodlander wrote. “When Chuck Redfern believes in something, it gets done.”
Redfern’s work dates back more than three decades, when he envisioned transforming unused rail beds into a network that would connect neighborhoods, encourage outdoor activity, and strengthen the region’s economy. Through Pathways for Keene, that vision became reality, with miles of multi-use trails now used by walkers, cyclists, families, and seniors.
“You looked at the old rail corridors and overgrown paths of the Monadnock region and saw something the rest of us hadn’t yet: a living network that could knit our communities together,” Goodlander wrote.
The trails have since become a defining feature of Keene, widely viewed as both a recreational asset and an economic driver that attracts visitors and supports local businesses.
In recognition of his impact, the state named the Charles Redfern Bridge in his honor. The pedestrian bridge is part of the city’s trail system and serves as a visible symbol of the connectivity Redfern helped create.
“It is deeply fitting that the State of New Hampshire has honored your legacy with the ‘Charles Redfern Bridge,’” Goodlander wrote. “Every person who crosses that bridge is crossing something you built with your vision, your grit, and your love for this community.”
The event also drew praise for its level of engagement, with attendees expressing appreciation for Goodlander’s willingness to answer questions and connect directly with constituents.
City Councilor and State Representative Philip Jones was credited with helping spearhead the recognition efforts, both at the State House and through the congressional acknowledgment.
Goodlander closed her letter by thanking Redfern for demonstrating the power of persistence and civic pride.
“You remind us all what it looks like to organize and do the work that works until the job is done,” she wrote. “New Hampshire is proud of you. Keene is proud of you.”