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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

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.

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!