Author: Kelly, Laura

CT Trail Symposium 2024 Recap

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by Laura Kelly

The 6th annual trail symposium was a fantastic day! Manchester Community College was a great host. The campus is beautiful –  if you’re ever wandering that way (it’s right off the Charter Oak Greenway!), it’s worth visiting. The theme of the day was “Trail Toolbox: Sharing Tips, Tools, and Triumph’s on Connecticut’s Trails and Beyond”, and I learned a lot.

The day started with some networking, meeting new folks and reconnecting with many long-time colleagues and partners. This was a highlight of the symposium for me. Then the morning continued with the keynote presentations in the auditorium. Bruce Donald (CT Greenways Council, East Coast Greenway) kicked things off with a warm welcome, and then Kim Bradley (CT DEEP) and Rista Malanca (Northwest Hills COG) described the successes and future direction for the CT Rec Trails Grant Program. Naugatuck Valley COG gave us a glimpse into the progress and design for the ongoing Naugatuck River Greenway Trail project. It was exciting to learn about trail successes and hard work paying off!

Kim Bradley (CT DEEP) catching us up on the achievements of the Rec Trails Grant Program

The final presentation for the morning was a panel of representatives from Connecticut, Maine, and federal governments discussing questions from both the moderator (Mick Ferraro) and the audience about building community with trail user groups. It seemed to me that the crowd enjoyed taking stock of shared challenges, and talking about tips for addressing them based on one another’s experiences.

After more networking and great conversation during lunch, the breakout sessions began. Topics ranged from the indigenous history of the New England Trail (Jay Levy, Mohegan Tribe; Claire Cain, CT Forest and Park Association [CFPA]), to trail building (Rob Butterworth, Deep River Land Trust, CFPA), to engaging high school students in volunteer trail programs (Shoreline Greenway Trail, led by Dan Buckley). Emily Wilson also presented on CT Trail Finder and Trail Census, recapping our project accomplishments and answering questions.

UConn graduate student Nick Harms presenting a poster on his research about mobile data methods of estimating trail use counts

We ended the day with a bike ride and walk on the Charter Oak Greenway, led by Bike Walk Bolton and Hop River Trail Alliance. It was very nice to get some fresh air after a day inside, continue chatting with new acquaintances, and enjoy a trail that was new to me. I’m looking forward to seeing you all again next year!

Walkers and cyclists gather outside after the end of the symposium

Walkers and cyclists gathering outside the college after the symposium to enjoy fresh air and some more conversation

Shout-Out to Joshua’s Trust!

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We want to shout out our partnership with Joshua’s Trust! The land trust organization has been operating since 1966 preserving land in Northeastern Connecticut, with many team members, volunteers, and stewards pouring their hearts and souls in. A special shout-out goes to Paul Pribula – mapping whiz, former JT board member, and current volunteer steward – who spoke with me about starting the GIS mapping process at the organization. Paul is proud to be part of the large team effort at JT, naming many other Most Valuable Players in their constant efforts for land preservation to protect local flora and fauna and boost climate change resilience. We are thrilled to help share trail maps and information and connect JT’s trail maps with other trail networks in the Northeast region, by which visitors can enjoy the fruits of their decades of labor and admire all the local lands have to offer.

Photo: CT Trail Finder; Coney Rock Preserve

 

Shout-Out to Farmington Canal Heritage and River Trails!

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We want to shout out Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and Farmington River Trail managers and volunteers for all their work with CT Trail Finder! The time, care, and miles they have put in to keep trail info up-to-date, easy to access, and helpful has been invaluable to us and trail users alike. A special shout-out to volunteer Norm Berg, who collected coordinates and descriptive information for points of interest, infrastructure, accessibility, amenities, and parking lot conditions, while coordinating with us to get the best information onto CT Trail Finder so trail users know what to expect. Norm also talks with people on the trail, getting to know what they need and sharing that knowledge with us, and promotes CT Trail Finder via signage and word-of-mouth. We really appreciate working with Norm and all our volunteers!

A paved trail with a wooden bridge extends through a deciduous forest with green spring leaves. A person with a white and red shirt and a green helmet is bicycling on the trail.
Photo: Norm Berg; Farmington Canal Heritage Trail

Welcome Laura!

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We have a new team member! Laura Kelly Laura stands smiling on a dirt trail at the base of a stone staircase. She has sandy hair and is wearing a teal sweatshirt and brown backpack.is the new CT Trails Program coordinator, supporting CT Trail Finder, CT Trail Census, and the CT Trails Program. She is finishing up her master’s degree in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment with a focus on trail use levels, access, and the perceived quality of trail user experiences. She cares deeply about public land access and management, and she is really enjoying meeting trails professionals and advocates from around the state. Laura was born and raised north of Pittsburgh, PA, and she received her B.S. in Biology at Juniata College. She loves hiking, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and her pet tortoises.