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.

Welcome Emily!

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Trail intern Emily M

We are excited to announce that we have a new intern here at UConn CLEAR and the CT Trail Program!

Emily Markelon is an environmental studies and journalism student at the University of Connecticut, planning to graduate in the fall of 2024. She is the Twitter and Facebook chair for UConn’s chapter of Her Campus, a nationally recognized online women’s magazine, and she is the Director of Administration for her sorority Alpha Omicron Pi. 

Emily will be working primarily on CT Trail Finder, specifically trailside services to start, and we look forward to applying her skills and talents to other aspects of the program. Welcome Emily!

 

My 2023 Trail Symposium Recap

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The 2023 Trail Symposium was an immersive experience with multiple events over multiple days. 

Written by Emily Wilson

World Trails Film Festival, Tuesday

World Trails Film Festival in Connecticut

This is the second time that I have had the privilege of viewing the he World Trails Film Festival. The series of short films combines stories with scenery and music that together capture the power of walking and riding in places near and far. They beautifully expose healing, determination, honoring the past, and cultivating the future.

The series validates why I work to make it easier for others to have a trail experience.

My 13 year old accompanied me to the World Trails Film Festival in Torrington. She was resistant, but the stories from the films, plus the majestic Warner Theatre, changed her attitude. She loved the scenery and especially admired the perseverance of Quinn and Nimblewill, both overcoming hurdles to keep on going.

Wednesday held a variety of self-guided and instructor-led mobile clinics. I was not able to attend these but heard excellent reviews.

John Brown birthplace and "Why We Walk," Thursday

John Brown Trail

On Thursday afternoon, I attended an informative talk from the Torrington Historical Society and the Torrington Trails Network. They told the story of John Brown and the John Brown birthplace as well as the progression of the trail access from Five Points Arts Center, the former UConn Torrington Campus.

Next, the group walked the trail together. The newly completed section includes over 800 feet of boardwalk through a beautiful bog that connects to the loop and John Brown's birthplace. I enjoyed learning about the details of the work from the trail volunteers who have invested countless hours and simply being on the trail with new and old friends.

Boardwalk on the John Brown to Five Points Trail  

Back at Five Points Arts Center, we viewed the film "Why We Walk."

BRIDGING TOGETHER HUMANITY – ONE MILE AT A TIME.

The Urban Hikers

The film features the three Cincinnati urban hikers, Vanny, Abdi, and Toure, and shares their story and the power of walking on both urban and nature trails. Vanny, Toure, and film director Eric Bishop were in attendance. I happened to have a seat behind them and enjoyed their laughs and reactions to the film as much as the film itself, which is saying something because the film is excellent! Afterwards, they took to the stage and answered questions about the film, their story, and thoughts about the power of walking. I wish I had recorded the statements, answers, and thoughts. It was a highlight of the trail symposium for me and truly inspiring. And I have to shout out the talented film director Eric Bishop. He masterfully combined the story, art, and themes and I suspect we will be seeing more from him in the future.

Trail Symposium, Friday

Friday was the main event and my last trip to Torrington for a while. It started with a panel and several talks about accessibility and inclusion in the outdoors. I was especially impressed by Nicky Wood from Outside Perspectives and her presentation about Barriers to Meaningful Wilderness Experiences.

We had a delicious lunch outside on the patio and then off to sessions. Aaron and I presented about the CT Trail Census and the CT Trail Finder. Our room was the former UConn Torrington library with cool windows and a variety of printing presses. I don't have pictures from Friday but I assure you that the program, attendees, and conservation were excellent.

Many Thanks

Emily and LaurieI was part of a small by mighty Trail Symposium planning committee. It is a tremendous amount of work to plan and coordinate an event like this especially over multiple days. The City of Torrington was instrumental in the event that could not have happened without their support. CT DEEP was the linchpin, especially Laurie Giannotti and Kim Bradley. I'm glad to be a part of a great team and am already looking forward to next year's event.

Graduate Student Opportunity

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The CT Trails Program and the UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment seek a graduate student interested in pursuing a graduate degree in partnership with an interdisciplinary project focused on outdoor recreation and trail use and monitoring. The funded assistantship will start in January of 2024.

Work for this assistantship will involve comparing novel methodology to better estimate and understand ongoing trail use dynamics, management planning for abrupt changes in trail use such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, and enhancing equitable access to outdoor recreation resources. Results will contribute to development of a state-level protocol for improving long term evaluation of trail use and methods for data collection. There is some flexibility in the thesis or dissertation topic emphasis, to be determined based on the interests of the selected applicant.

More information, requirements, and how to apply

2023 Connecticut Trail Symposium

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The Connecticut Trail Symposium is back in 2023! And this year will be a new, more immersive experience with multiple events over multiple days. Many thanks to the City of Torrington for sponsoring the events and making them possible.

The Trail Symposium will be Friday, October 13, 2023 from 9am-3pm at the Five Points Arts Center in Torrington, CT.

The Trails Film Festival will makes its Connecticut debut on Tuesday, October 10 at the Warner Theatre in Torrington.

A special screening of the film “Why We Walk” is planned for Thursday evening, October 12, at the Five Points Arts Center in Torrington, followed by discussion, networking, and socializing.

Please visit the Symposium web page for updates and information including the agenda, sponsorship opportunities, and more!