“Connecting Connecticut”
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.
5th Annual CT Trail Symposium
Friday, October 13, 2023, 9am-3pm,
Five Points Center for the Visual Arts, 855 University Drive, Torrington, CT
$45 registration fee includes symposium attendance, lunch, and Thursday evening event
A full day of concurrent sessions, including a in-depth panel discussion about the film, "Why We Walk," and plentiful networking opportunities.
Registration
Please register by October 10 to ensure that you are in the lunch count. A limited number of lunches will be available to those who register after October 10.
Film Screening of "Why We Walk" including an after party!
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Five Points Center for the Visual Arts, 855 University Drive, Torrington, CT
Included in Trail Symposium Registration
| 3:00pm | Talk about the significance of the John Brown Birthplace and how the site became a historical destination | Five Points Center for the Visual Arts |
| 4:00pm | Hike trails throughout the birthplace of John Brown (wooded, mild terrain, approximately 2 miles) | Five Points Center for the Visual Arts |
| 5:00pm | Exclusive screening of film Why We Walk," an award-winning documentary, followed by a conversation with the film's urban hikers - Vanny Mwamba, Abdi and Toure from Cincinnati, OH as well as director Eric Bishop from Cleveland, OH. | Five Points Center for the Visual Arts |
| 7:00pm | Casual networking opportunity at the Mill House Kitchen and Bar Restaurant | 367 Winsted Road, Torrington, CT |
Self-guided and Instructor-led Mobile Clinics
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Free
- Instructor-led options include Trail design demonstrations, talks and tours (even the Economics of Beer!), and even wagon rides and more at Norbrook Farm Brewery!
- Self-guided options include a downtown Torrington walking tour, the Freedom Trail, and more.
- Or, create your own adventure!
| Torrington Trails Network - How to Build a Bog Bridge/Walk, Presented by NWCTY-Torrington Trails Network
- Sunnybrook State Park (just past the gate on the south side of the parking lot.) Google Directions - Two Presentations 9 AM and 11 AM. Come see the process of planning and building a bog bridge or walk. |
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| Rockwork & Rigging Demo with CFPA
- Sunnybrook State Park Google Directions - Join Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) and their volunteer Rockstars for an introduction to rockwork (using on-site rock to solve trail issues) and a demonstration in the use of a griphoist and rigging equipment. We will cover techniques, safety, best practices, tools and equipment, and more! - If you would like to stay for a workparty after the introduction and demo, the Rockstars will work on-site for about 3 hours to complete some trail projects. If you plan to stay for the workparty, please dress for work in the woods by wearing closed-toe shoes, long pants and a long sleeve shirt and pack food, bug spray, work gloves, lots of water, rain gear, etc. - If you plan to join us, kindly send us an rsvp email to info@ctwoodlands.org with “R & R Demo” in the subject line, and your name and how long you expect to join us for. |
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| Hike the Sue Grossman Trail! Led by Fit Together
- 12:00 PM. Meet at 21 Harris Drive Trailhead on the Sue Grossman Trail Google Directions - Easy walk/hike |
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| Urban Trails in Downtown Torrington
- 2:00 PM, Torrington City Hall, 140 Main St, Torrington Google Directions - Mayor Carbone will walk you through Downtown Torrington and show how walkability and infrastructure improvements have increased vibrancy and Economic Growth. |
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| "Beer With The Builders" day at Norbrook Farm Brewery
- 3-6 PM at Norbrook Farm Brewery - 204 Stillman Hill Rd, Colebrook, CT 06021 Google Directions - Pinnacle Trail Design, Summit Adaptive Sports and NEMBA will be there with information and to meet with partners. - Bring along your bicycle or hiking boots and go for a ride, hike, or even borrow a loaner disc golf set. - Various times throughout the day, Norbrook Farm Brewery will offer wagon rides through their wooded trails. |
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| Economics of Beer
- 4:30 PM Little Red Barn - Lake St, Winsted Google Directions - Speaker Nils Johnson will discuss how breweries support the local economy and support tourism. - Stay for Live Music at 6pm by Robert Fullerton. |
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See page 8 of the CT Trails Symposium Event Program for more including self-lead options. |
World Trails Film Festival
Tuesday, October 10, 2023. 6:30pm, Doors open at 5:30
Warner Theatre, 68 Main St, Torrington, CT
$25 per ticket, includes all fees
The World Trails Film festival will have it's New England debut in the City of Torrington, CT. Presented on the big screen, the selected films
reflect the many ways trails play a vital role in our lives and communities. Trails bind communities together, let us see the beauty of the world, lead us on adventures, and so much more.
Themes of the films include: mental health, hand-made trails, having hope in the face of challenges, wildlife conservation issues, and the power of walking.
In Partnership with partner/co-sponsor with the Greenways Council, CT DEEP, City of Torrington, and the UConn (CT Trails Program, Extension, and CLEAR).
