Connecticut Trail Symposium

8th Annual CT Trail Symposium

Friday, October 2, 2026
Adanti Student Center
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT

A full day of concurrent sessions, speakers, and plentiful networking opportunities.

Sponsored by

 
⇒ Bike Walk Connecticut
⇒ Connecticut Age Well Collaborative (CARE)
⇒ Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Alliance (CORA)
⇒ Dravis Grant Services
⇒ East Coast Greenway
⇒ Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
⇒ Farmington Valley Association
⇒ Greater New Haven Green Fund
⇒ Hop River Trail Alliance
 

 
⇒ New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA)
⇒ Park New Haven
⇒ Shoreline Greenway Trail
⇒ South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG)
⇒ Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU)
⇒ Toole Design
⇒ Trust for Public Land
⇒ Yale New Haven Health
 

Agenda

Subject to Change

 

8:00am Registration, Networking, Visit Tables, Continental Breakfast
9:25am
Auditorium		 Welcome and Overview of the Day
Bruce Donald, CT Greenways Council Chair and Tri-State Coordinator for the East Coast Greenway
Sandy Bulmer, Interim President, Southern Connecticut State University
9:35am
Auditorium		 Keynote Speaker
JT Horn, Trust for Public Land
10:15am
Auditorium		 Cambridge Econometrics Presentation
11:00am Break & refreshments
networking and enjoy displays
11:10am Session 1 (Abstracts)
Economic Value Track 1. Technical Problem Solving in Urban Greenway Design: Lessons from New Haven
Giovanni Zinn, PE, City Engineer, City of New Haven
Adam Weber, PE, Project Manager, City of New Haven
Community Building Track 2. Physician-Led Walking Program by Yale New Haven Health Network
Andrew Orefice, Senior Community Relations Officer, Yale New Haven Health
Economic Value Track 3. A Vision for a Long-Distance Gravel/Mountain Bike Route in Connecticut
Moderated by Paula Burton, CT Outdoor Recreation Alliance (CORA)
Economic Value Track 4. We've Been Working on These Trails for a Generation; so What are They all Worth?
Craig Della Penna, Northeast Greenway Solutions
Community Building Track 5. Community Engagement Building Sustainable Resilient Greenways
Joe Lanier, Biology Instructor & Youth Conservation Corps Coordinator, Oxford High School
12:00pm Lunch
1:30pm Session 2 (Abstracts)
Community Building Track 1. Creating Trails in the West River Watershed
Panel moderated by Kathy Fay, Director of Community Sustainability, Neighborhood Housing Services
Panelists:
Frank DeLeo, Volunteer
Ron Walters, Volunteer
Kathie Hebert, Volunteer
Dave Bravo, Volunteer
Community Building Track 2. Beyond the Trailhead: Expanding Greenway Access Through Shared Micromobility
Haley Simpson, Director of Transportation, City of New Haven
Dimitris Koutoumbas, Traffic Safety Engineer, City of New Haven
Economic Value Track 3. What the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail Can Teach Us: Lessons from a 150-Mile Ride
Kate Pipa, Supervising Transportation Planner, Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
Economic Value Track 4. Trail Landscape Design & Stewardship
Susan Fielder, Transportation Landscape Architect, CT Department of Transportation
Recreational Value Track 5. When Connecticut's Trails Become a Network
Shawna Kitzman, AICP, RSP1, CT Market Lead, Toole Design
Mike Cipriano, AICP, Principal Transportation Planner, Capitol Region Council of Governments
Erin Spaulding, Director, Achilles International-Connecticut
2:20pm Session 3 (Abstracts)
Community Building Track 1. Intentional Trail Accessibility through Collaboration for New Haven Parks and Greenways
Panel moderated by Aaron Goode, Founder, Friends of the Farmington Canal Trail
Panelists:
Gretchen Knauff, Director of Services for Persons with Disabilities, City of New Haven
Joshua Price, Chief Landscape Architect, City of New Haven Parks
Maxwell Webster, Director of Parks, City of New Haven Parks
Fatima Cecunjanin, Senior Project Manager, City of New Haven City Plan Department
Anna Picket, Associate Director, Urban Resources Initiative, Yale University

 

Organized by Jackie Gaudioso, Outdoor Adventure Coordinator, City of New Haven Parks
Recreational Value Track 2. CT Trails Program Team Efforts: CT Trail Census and CT Trail Finder
Aaron Budris, Environmental Planning Director, Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
Laura Kelly, CT Trails Program Coordinator, UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR)
Emily Wilson, Geospatial Educator, Program Lead and Trail Finder Lead, UConn CLEAR and UConn Extension
Anita Morzillo, Associate Professor, UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment
Community Building/
Economic Value Tracks		 3. The Multi-Dimensional Value of Equine Greenways: Health, Environmental, and Economic Impacts of Trail Riding
Diane Ciano, President, Connecticut Horse Council
Community Building Track 4. Let's Talk: How Collaboration is Connected to Funding
Sheila Dravis-Cosgrove, Owner, Dravis Grant & Contract Services, LLC
Recreational Value Track 5. The Beauty of Accessibility: Hidden Valley Preserve and The Henry David Thoreau Footbridge
Oliver Gaffney, Vice President, TPA Design Group
Alan Organschi, Principal and Partner, GOA Architecture
Brian Hagenbuch, Executive Director, Steep Rock Association
3:15pm
 Wrap-up
Group impressions, ideas for next year, thank you and evaluations
Kimberly Bradley, CT DEEP Trails and Greenways Coordinator
3:30pm Walking Tour of Connectivity at Southern Connecticut State University

Led by Adam Weber, PE, Project Manager, City of New Haven

 

Hike Along the West River Greenway

Led by Joe Milone, Chairperson & Associate Professor of Recreation Tourism & Sport Management, Southern CT State University
6:00pm Films in Auditorium, Sponsored by

 

From Rails to Trails: The Origin Story of America's Beloved Pathways

From Rails to Trails is a PBS film, presented at the CT Trail Symposium by Bike Walk Connecticut. The documentary explores the origins of America's trails movement, a political movement that emerged from the enthusiasm and passion of citizen activists who sought to protect unused rail corridors to create safe spaces for people to walk, bike, and be active outside.

 

Best Day Ever

Best Day Ever is poignant, fun, meaningful, adventurous, emotional, and uplifting in equal measure. The film follows Vermont-based adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi, as it explores the challenges of disability alongside the freedom, friendship, and independence that adventure can bring. With warmth, humor, and genuine human connection, the film challenges perceptions of what is possible, celebrates the power of community, and opens an important conversation around accessibility within mountain biking and beyond.

Parking

Free parking for conference attendees is available in the Wintergreen Parking Garage located at 23 Wintergreen Avenue, adjacent to the Moore Field House (see campus map). It is an approximately 6-minute walk from the garage to the Adanti Student Center. Please use the pedestrian bridge on the south side of Wintergreen to cross Fitch Street.

Handicap parking and drop-off is in the temporary lot on the Fitch Street Level of the Adanti Student Center. The entrance to this temporary lot is on Crescent Street.

11:10am, Session 1 Abstracts

Session 1, Economic Value 1. Technical Problem Solving in Urban Greenway Design: Lessons from New Haven

Giovanni Zinn, PE, City Engineer, City of New Haven
Adam Weber, PE, Project Manager, City of New Haven

Abstract

Coming soon!

Session 1, Community 1. Physician-Led Walking Program by Yale New Haven Health Network

Andrew Orefice, Senior Community Relations Officer, Yale New Haven Health

Abstract

2026 is the 11th year that Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) has held it's Walk and Talk with a Doc program on the Farmington Canal Heritage trail in New Haven. This free walking group is led by a physician every Saturday, May - September, discussing various health topics with walkers of all types from the community. Born out of CT Data Haven Community Wellbeing survey results indicating that many New Haven residents didn't get enough exercise due to not feeling safe in their own communities, YNHH created this walking series to bring people together, introduce physicians in training to the communities they serve, and maintain a fun, low-key opportunity for physical activity on the Canal Trail.

Session 1, Economic Value 2. A Vision for a Long-Distance Gravel/Mountain Bike Route in Connecticut

Paula Burton, CT Outdoor Recreation Alliance (CORA)

Abstract

The presenter will discuss the benefits of a long-distance gravel/mountain biking route in CT, and show what other states have done to develop a sustainable tourism economy based on long distance routes.

Session 1, Economic Value 3. We’ve Been Working on These Trails for a Generation; so What are They all Worth?

Craig Della Penna, Northeast Greenway Solutions

Abstract

A practical way to avoid the “chicken and egg” problem is to develop accommodations and trail infrastructure in parallel. As gap sections move through design, permitting, and construction, nearby communities can begin identifying vacant houses, underused buildings, farm stays, small inns, campgrounds, and other locally owned lodging opportunities. These do not all need to be large projects; a network of modest, community-based accommodations can grow alongside the trail and become part of the destination itself.

This parallel approach lets towns prepare before trail traffic arrives: improving zoning, supporting small operators, connecting lodging to food and shuttle services, and directing reinvestment into places that have not seen it in generations. By the time the trail gaps are closed, visitors would find not just a continuous route, but a welcoming string of places to stay, eat, repair bikes, meet residents, and spend money locally. In that way, accommodations become a catalyst for completing the trail, while the trail becomes the market that makes those accommodations viable.

Session 1, Community 2. Community Engagement Building Sustainable Resilient Greenways

Joe Lanier, Oxford High School Biology Instructor & Youth Conservation Corps Coordinator, Town of Oxford Conservation Commission Inland Wetlands Commissioner, & Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary Land Manager

Abstract

This presentation examines actionable strategies for identifying and aligning key stakeholders—including municipal leadership, school districts, and volunteer user groups—to build durable trail infrastructure. Focusing on Oxford’s Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary, the session highlights how the Town of Oxford Conservation Commission established a Summer Trail Crew Internship Program in partnership with the Oxford High School Youth Conservation Corps. Long-term sustainability is secured through a strong co-stewardship model with the Housatonic Valley Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (HV NEMBA). Beyond donating hundreds of annual volunteer hours of sweat equity, HV NEMBA actively rallies community financial support, champions local crowdfunding initiatives, and helps secure competitive grants to keep the sanctuary’s trail network accessible and resilient.

Connecticut’s trail managers face compounding pressures: surging outdoor recreation demand, restricted municipal budgets, and increased trail erosion caused by severe weather events. This case study delivers a timely, battle-tested blueprint for CT practitioners seeking to build high-standard trails without reliance on massive capital budgets. By formalizing partnerships between municipal commissions, public school systems, and advocacy groups, Connecticut communities can construct climate-resilient infrastructure while training the next generation of local land stewards.

1:30pm, Session 2 Abstracts

Session 2, Community 1. Creating Trails in the West River Watershed

Frank DeLeo, Volunteer
Ron Walters, Volunteer
Kathie Hebert, Volunteer
Dave Bravo, Volunteer

Moderated by Kathy Fay, Director of Community Sustainability, Neighborhood Housing Services

Abstract

This presentation is directly related to the symposium’s theme, Benefits of Greenways. The West River Watershed Coalition volunteer organization worked to establish the entire watershed as a CT-recognized Greenway, and the volunteers have created and improved three trails in the watershed. Volunteers work on Saturdays to clear, build and maintain the trails and gateway gardens. The panel will share what they have learned – how to do the work itself, how to interact with related municipal departments, how to recruit and retain volunteers, and share the challenges of the work – permissions, illegal dumping and homeless encampments. They will also share examples of recreational benefits of the trails.

Session 2, Community 2. Beyond the Trailhead: Expanding Greenway Access Through Shared Micromobility

Haley Simpson, Director of Transportation, City of New Haven
Dimitris Koutoumbas, Traffic Safety Engineer, City of New Haven

Abstract

New Haven’s greenways are both recreational amenities and important components of the city’s active transportation network. As New Haven expands its shared micromobility program, the City is developing a network of designated mobility hubs that can strengthen connections between neighborhoods, greenways, and everyday destinations.

This presentation will use recent shared micromobility trip data to examine how riders interact with New Haven’s greenway network, connections between trail access points and surrounding neighborhoods and destinations. The session will also discuss New Haven’s hub-based operating model and the role of intentional hub siting in creating an orderly, accessible, and connected transportation network.

For Connecticut trail practitioners, New Haven’s experience offers a timely case study in thinking beyond the physical boundaries of a greenway. The presentation will explore how complementary mobility investments can extend the reach and transportation value of existing greenway infrastructure.

Session 2, Economic Value 1. What the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail Can Teach Us: Lessons from a 150-Mile Ride

Kate Pipa, Supervising Transportation Planner, Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments

Abstract

This June, I experienced the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail from the seat of a bicycle, riding its 150 miles from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD before continuing along the C&O Canal Towpath to Washington, DC. In six days, I traveled more than 330 miles entirely on connected trail infrastructure.

The journey provided a firsthand look at what makes a long-distance trail more than a transportation facility. Built largely along former railroad corridors, the GAP demonstrates how historic transportation routes can be repurposed into connected, accessible networks linking cities, small towns, rural landscapes, historic sites, and destinations such as Ohiopyle State Park. Along the route, wayfinding, interpretive signage, volunteer-run welcome centers, trail maintenance programs, and businesses catering to trail users created a supportive ecosystem that enhanced the overall experience and ultimately made it possible for a self-supported multi-day ride.

The ride also highlighted the economic value of trail-based tourism. Traveling by bicycle brought me into communities I otherwise would have bypassed, where I stayed overnight, dined locally, and patronized small businesses that benefit from trail traffic.

This presentation will share lessons from the GAP's infrastructure, partnerships, volunteer stewardship, historic interpretation, and trail-town culture, and explore how these practices could inform Connecticut's growing trail network as the state works to expand connectivity, strengthen trail communities, and cultivate tourism and recreation opportunities.

Session 2, Economic Value 2. Trail Landscape Design & Stewardship

Susan Fielder, Transportation Landscape Architect, CT Department of Transportation

Abstract

This talk will cover the incorporation of vegetated buffers, rain / pollinator gardens, placemaking and tree planting along greenways in Connecticut. DOT LSD has worked in a variety of settings with DEEP, Municipal staff, volunteer organizations as well as adjacent property owners to devise sustainable plantings. A well thought out design needs to consider horticultural needs, mechanized labor, and safety. Civic 'Landscaping' involves not only plantings, but stormwater management, ADA, and connecting users to shopping & transit.

Session 2, Recreational Value. When Connecticut’s Trails Become a Network

Shawna Kitzman, AICP, RSP1, CT Market Lead, Toole Design
Mike Cipriano, AICP, Principal Transportation Planner, Capitol Region Council of Governments
Erin Spaulding, Director, Achilles International-Connecticut
Moderator: Aaron Goode, New Haven Friends of the Farmington Canal Greenway

Abstract

From the hiking trails in Granby to the minor league stadiums in Hartford to the homemade ice cream at UConn, one could feasibly ride a bike across the whole 38-community region. The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) recently completed Priority Pathways, a bicycle and pedestrian plan that addresses a challenge familiar to trail practitioners statewide: how do we build a network of on- and off-road trails that knit together municipalities with a variety of transportation contexts, resources, and needs? And how do we direct limited resources to yield the greatest benefit?

Priority Pathways introduces a data-driven prioritization method. It defines a regionally significant network that connects major trails, town centers, schools, employment areas, and transit, to serve all ages and abilities. The framework ranks corridors and crossings by their potential to improve mobility, access, and safety, providing all levels of government with guidance on where to invest in these beloved assets.

This session pairs the planning methodology with a community perspective that helped shape the process: Achilles International Connecticut, a nonprofit that supports athletes with physical disabilities through programs and social connections. For these athletes, connected, ADA-accessible trails and safe on-street facilities are essential infrastructure for training, competition, and socializing. Their perspective illustrates why the continuity and quality of a regional network determines who can benefit from it.

2:20pm, Session 3 Abstracts

Session 3, Community 1. Intentional Trail Accessibility through Collaboration for New Haven Parks and Greenways

Gretchen Knauff, Director of Services for Persons with Disabilities, City of New Haven
Joshua Price, Chief Landscape Architect, City of New Haven Parks
Maxwell Webster, Director of Parks, City of New Haven Parks
Fatima Cecunjanin, Senior Project Manager, City of New Haven City Plan Department
Anna Picket, Associate Director, Urban Resources Initiative, Yale University

Moderated by Aaron Goode, Founder, Friends of the Farmington Canal Trail

Abstract

What does it truly mean to create trails that are accessible to all? In this moderated discussion, panelists will explore the many dimensions of trail accessibility—from infrastructure, design, and trail specifications to the community-driven processes that shape “all persons” trails in public spaces. The conversation will also challenge the notion that accessibility is solely about physical modifications. Equitable access means connecting neighborhoods to outdoor spaces, creating recreational opportunities that reflect the interests and cultures of local communities, and ensuring that residents have a meaningful voice in shaping these experiences. Through intentional engagement, resident feedback, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and inclusive decision-making, panelists will share innovative approaches and lessons learned from their work to make trails and outdoor recreation more accessible, equitable, and welcoming throughout New Haven and surrounding areas.

Session 3, Recreational Value 1. CT Trails Program Team Efforts: CT Trail Census and CT Trail Finder

Aaron Budris, Environmental Planning Director, Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments
Laura Kelly, CT Trails Program Coordinator, UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR)
Emily Wilson, Geospatial Educator, Program Lead and Trail Finder Lead, UConn CLEAR and UConn Extension
Anita Morzillo, Associate Professor, UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment

Abstract

The session will focus on the CT Trail Census and CT Trail Finder, both part of the UConn CT Trails Program, including updates and collaboration stories. The CT Trail Census is a statewide data collection program that has been collecting trail use counts for 10 years. Along with sharing counts on the interactive Data Dashboard, CT Trail Census assists organizations with their own counters, and partners with several that share their counts for publishing on the Data Dashboard. The program is a team effort with trail managers and volunteers across the state. We will highlight the benefits of these partnerships over the years.

CT Trail Finder is a free website designed to help trail users find trails around the state; it is also a platform where trail managers can ensure accurate information is provided. We will showcase features that promote connection across organizations, individuals, sectors, towns, and more. These features, including Related Trails, property junctions, trail posts with multiple managers, and others, will be demonstrated.

Session 3, Community 2/Economic Value. The Multi-Dimensional Value of Equine Greenways: Health, Environmental, and Economic Impacts of Trail Riding

Diane Ciano, President, Connecticut Horse Council

Abstract

The Connecticut Horse Council advocates for expanding multi-use greenway networks that include equestrian-friendly infrastructure. Integrating horseback riding onto public trails supports rider and animal well-being, stimulates local agritourism, and fosters volunteer-driven stewardship.

Aligning with the symposium’s theme, this presentation examines the vital role equestrians play in trail utilization and advocacy. Key findings highlight:
• Physiological & Community: Trail riding improves equine cardiovascular and muscular health, preserves rural heritage, and keeps local stables vibrant.
• Economic: Equestrian riders are high-value recreationists who drive tourism and invest in trail infrastructure.
• Maintenance & Safety: Organized riding groups volunteer for trail clearing, while intentional design allows safe, shared access for cyclists, pedestrians, and riders alike.
• Environmental: While proactive management controls erosion and invasive species, research demonstrates a gap between perceived and actual environmental impacts.

Ultimately, proactive design for dedicated equestrian infrastructure protects public spaces, enhances community wellness, and generates measurable economic growth. Contact the Connecticut Horse Council for actionable planning strategies.

Session 3, Community 3. Let’s Talk: How Collaboration is Connected to Funding

Sheila Dravis-Cosgrove, Owner, Dravis Grant & Contract Services, LLC

Abstract

Changes in federal programs and allocations have decreased funding levels and increased competition for any available funding, as well as the interrupted the flow of state and regional funds to bike/pedestrian active transportation improvements, and environmental and recreation programing/projects. Under the current constraints and increases in town and residential costs is is even more important to look to community building and creative ways to accomplish the goal. It’s essential for a (trail) advocacy group to: garner support, input and partner with its town administration and relevant staff; collaborate on local initiatives that benefits the public and the local economy; develop a foundation of committed members and set clear goals; and regularly communicate with business owners and residents. Documenting such public activity and involvement demonstrates a shared goal and substantiates a request for funding. Taking these steps can open a range of private and public funding opportunities and assist a local group and the town to plan, coordinate and implement an initiative and offset the total cost to the community.

Session 3, Recreational Value 2. The Beauty of Accessibility: Hidden Valley Preserve and The Henry David Thoreau Footbridge

Oliver Gaffney, Vice President, TPA Design Group
Alan Organschi, Principal and Partner, GOA Architecture
Brian Hagenbuch, Executive Director, Steep Rock Association

Abstract

Architecture should be functional, durable, and beautiful! What happens when only the first two criteria are considered? This presentation will explore how a CT DOT bridge replacement project launched a community conversation about design alternatives and opportunities to enhance scenic and recreational resources in the adjacent Hidden Valley Preserve.

The proposed bridge design along Bee Brook Road called for a parallel pedestrian walkway with a six-foot tall fence for fall protection. Residents expressed concerns that this guardrail system would diminish views of the Shepaug River – and that the resulting connection would not be fully accessible for visitors. Through a series of public meetings, voters decided to forgo the planned CT DOT walkway and pursue a different pedestrian bridge to be built entirely within Hidden Valley Preserve.

The resulting Henry David Thoreau Bridge has quickly become a celebrated landmark and significant attraction in Washington Depot. The cable-stayed mass timber structure gently spans the 500-year floodplain and offers visitors accessible routes to the preserve’s 20-mile trail system. Quotes from Thoreau’s seminal writings, inscribed by water jet into a bench at the cliff base and along the bridge’s steel handrails, offer moments for reflection. Funding was provided by a $150,000 STEAP grant and support from many private donors including the Gould Family Foundation.

The CT Trail Symposium is made possible by partner/co-sponsors Greenways Council, CT DEEP, and UConn (CT Trails Program, Extension, and CLEAR).

Connecticut Greenways Council logo
CT DEEP Logo

 

CT Outdoor Recreation Alliance (CORA) logo

UConn ExtensionUConn CLEAR logo