The Connecticut Greenways Council today commended eight individuals, and two non-profit organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion, development and enhancement of Greenways – linear open space in Connecticut – and designated a new State Greenway at a ceremony this morning at Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury, CT.

Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) said, “Our State Designated Greenways provide great opportunities to enjoy recreation, commute to work, exercise or shop from a bicycle, or simply spend time with family and friends on a beautiful day.  The greenway being recognized today, along with our 75 existing designated greenways, provide these opportunities to local residents and visitors alike while boosting the economy throughout Connecticut.  Today’s ceremony also recognizes a dedicated group of volunteers whose passion for greenways continues to improve the quality of life in our State.” 

Bruce Donald, Chair of the CT Greenways Council, and Tri-State Coordinator for the East Coast Greenway Alliance stated: "Trails are community builders. They act like a new 'town green' as a meeting place. Even more so as a beloved amenity that evokes pride of place, attracting people from far and wide to a trail-town. As more and more trails are completed, their contribution to the vibrancy of Connecticut cannot be questioned."    

Greenways in Connecticut cover thousands of acres throughout every county in the state and may include paved or unpaved trail systems, ridgelines, or linked parcels of open space. Many communities around Connecticut have chosen, through greenway designation, to recognize the importance of river corridors for natural resource protection, recreational opportunities, and scenic values. The CT Greenways Council website contains details on how to get designations, assistance and a map of our State Greenways.  http://www.ct.gov/deep/greenways

The Council presented the following ten awards and newly designated State Greenway:

John Hampton, State Representative – recipient of the CT Greenways Council’s Legislative Award.  John Kennedy Hampton represents the 16th Assembly District, Simsbury. Prior to his election to the state legislature, Rep Hampton served on the Simsbury Board of Selectmen from 2003-2012, including five years as Deputy First Selectman.  During his tenure, Rep Hampton was a strong advocate for local trails and the environment.

Jeff LaMalva, Manchester’s town engineer – recipient of the CT Greenways Council’s Municipal Award. Mr. LaMalva is a greenway planner, designer, and advocate.  He has hosted “bike to work” events and is currently designing the gap in the tri-town 20-mile loop connecting the Cheney Rail trail to Charter Oak Greenway (East Coast Greenway). His latest achievement is the completion of the Manchester gap in the Charter Oak Trail.

Dr. Robert Rodner – recipient of the CT Greenways Council’s Health Care Integration Award.  He was co-chairman for a 10-year period running the Manchester Memorial Hospital Trail/Road event.  Currently he is a facilitator of the October 13, 2019 event celebrating the tri-town (Manchester-Vernon-Bolton) 20-mile loop with a 5-mile leg into East Hartford. 

Jerry Silber – recipient of the CT Greenways Council’s Unsung Hero Award.  He has been the president of the Merritt Parkway Trail Alliance for many years and has been a tireless voice for its important connection to New York. 

Melissa Evarts – recipient of a CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award.  Melissa is the linchpin of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Horsemen’s Club (LCRVHC) and their 501(c)3, the Bridle Path Conservancy (BPC). Over the years LCRVHC and the BPC have donated thousands of hours in trail maintenance; conceived of, completed and now maintain the regional Quinimay Trail; and spent countless hours advocating for multi-use trails in the state. She builds these partnerships through a shared love of trails and educates equestrians on the importance of giving back.

Debbie Livingston – recipient of a CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award. She is an avid trail user in all seasons.  She is very supportive of Bike Walk Bolton and has volunteered at their CT Trails Day Events.  She also has organized Trails for Young Families events at Bolton Notch State Park to help expose them to the trails and being outdoors.  She is an environmentalist who takes care to minimize her footprint, for example, she used the Hop River Trail to commute to work from Bolton to Vernon long before most in CT and often gets around town by bike with her two children in tow.

Jon Regan – recipient of a CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award.  In 2013, Jon founded and is currently president of the Northwest CT chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA). The legacy of Jon’s leadership includes the development of a solid working relationship with: Session Woods (DEEP Wildlife and Fisheries); DEEP foresters and park managers; City of New Britain and The New Britain Water Commission, the town of Granby, and town of Harwinton. This Chapter sets an example for the rest of the state, and Jon, who is not one to beat his own drum, is being recognized as a leader in the true sense of the word. 

Patricia Sesto – recipient of a CT Greenways Council’s Volunteer Award. Pat was a founding member of the Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) and currently serves as President of their Board of Directors.  The vision of the non-profit NRVT is to build, beautify and maintain a thirty mile, ten-foot wide, multi-use trail from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, passing through Wilton, Ridgefield and Redding, and terminating at Rogers Park in Danbury. 

Lower Connecticut River Valley Horsemen’s Club and Bridle Path Conservancy – recipient of a CT Greenways Council’s Non-Profit Organization Award.  LCRVHC is a social/riding club that was established in the early 1960s. The Bridle Path Conservancy (BPC) is a non-profit trail committee dedicated to the preservation, enhancement and acquisition of multi-purpose, passive-use, recreational trails on public and private land in Connecticut and southern New England. Club members have donated thousands of hours to the trails in our state.

The Simsbury Land Trust – recipient of a CT Greenways Council’s Non-Profit Organization Award.  Founded in 1976, the SLT currently has over 700 member families.  The SLT built a bog walk in West Simsbury, allowing a close-up view of 40 acres of unique wetlands without damaging the fragile surface vegetation. They publish an annual newsletter as well as The Simsbury Walkbook: A Guide to Local Hiking, available to members free of charge.       

Clinton Blue/Greenway - The Clinton Blue/Greenway is a town trail that will connect, in its final phase, the Town of Clinton with its neighbors to the west and east, as well as the people of Clinton to their recreational opportunities, historical landmarks and land trusts. The first phase is a loop of over 3 miles which crosses a segment of trolley line then proceeds on roads through a historical section, to the Town Dock making the first connection to the “Blueway” onto the Indian River. There, the second access point takes users through the Town of Clinton and onto the Town Beach.