Commissioners Want ‘One Clear Voice’—

Trails Committee

Maps Out Its Work

By Kendra Bobowick

Newtown is on the path, literally, to establishing some recreational areas in town in coming months.

“I hope work will begin in the spring,” said Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian.

Several plans are afoot for trails, but only one is on the verge of development.

Providing an alternative to sharing the road with automobile traffic is the first phase of the soon-to-be urban trail, meandering along Elm Drive beside Ram Pasture and stretching around Hawley Pond to Liberty Field and the town park. Joggers, walkers, and those on a bicycle or pushing a stroller can enjoy a safe detour, Ms Kasbarian said. She is eager to see a trail “that will provide an alternative to the road.”

Roughly $48,000 is now in place for the Urban Trail.

The ad hoc Trails Committee, once an open space subcommittee, has varied responsibilities including securing grants. Although already in hand, the grant awaits on once more step.

Work can begin “as soon as we get that contract back,” Ms Kasbarian said. The town and state must complete the contract associated with the grant, she said. The paperwork is now in the Board of Selectmen’s hands. The board meets in early March.

Also falling under the concept of urban trails is a route from Sandy Hook Center through to Treadwell Park, Ms Kasbarian said. The walkway is a developing idea requiring both planning and additional funding.

“I am hoping for the Trails Committee to apply for a grant,” she said. Ms Kasbarian feels additional money will be necessary although this trail is “in the budget for next year.”

An approximate location is all she could provide. “I don’t know if the trail has been laid out yet,” she said. The Sandy Hook route is the second phase of the urban trail project.

Another piece of good news for outdoor enthusiasts is an additional trail system falling under the Trail’s Committee’s responsibility.

Ms Kasbarian described a rails-to-trails location in the Botsford section of town bordering Monroe near Route 25. A rails-to-trails conservancy promotes creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. While the area is ideal for continuing the established Monroe rails-to-trails path along old freight lines, the Newtown side presents hurdles.

“We have parking issues,” Ms Kasbarian said. Even more prohibitive is lack of finances.

“We don’t have any money budgeted for that,” Ms Kasbarian said. The project is still of interest, however. “It’s in the discussion stage now,” she said. She described Monroe’s trail as following the old, out of service railroad beds. Newtown could connect in the vicinity of Swamp Road in the Botsford area. Noting another complication, she said there are also right-of-way issues.

Acting Parks and Recreation Commissions chairman Edward Marks is enthusiastic about potential trails.

“I would like to see us make progress with the walking trails.”

Making reference to another project that will ultimately incorporate athletic trails, Mr Marks said, “I would love to have something at Fairfield Hills that the whole town could use.” The Fairfield Hills Master Plan includes redeveloping the campus since Newtown purchased the area from the state. Aside from revamping buildings and grounds for future use, the plan calls for hiking trails throughout the campus.

Ms Kasbarian and Mr Marks have one prominent concern with the Trails Committee. During a recent commission meeting, Mr Marks discussed his impression that “members had varied priorities, and Parks and Recreation wants to rein that in.”

He had also expressed the desire to see committee members “come back with a consensus.”

This week, Mr Marks expanded on his comments, saying, “I think we’re hearing individual priorities, but there was no one clear voice. We’re hoping to find out exactly how they want to proceed.”

Ms Kasbarian agrees.

“You will see it on any committee,” she said. “Members have different interests.” She would like to see the Trails Committee concentrate on urban trails right now, she said.

Ms Kasbarian described the duties and responsibilities of the ad hoc Trails Committee:

This committee will work under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The primary purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding the acquisition and maintenance of trails in the town of Newtown. This includes, but is not limited to:

Research and compilation of a master list and map or maps of trails and linked greenways,

Marking or causing the clear demarcation of trails,

Taking a lead role in the development and maintenance of town trails,

Recommending the designation of trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding or multiuse,

Such other activities as may be requested by the Parks and Recreation Committee from time to time.

The committee should work closely with the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force and Conservation Commission regarding the acquisition of open space and the acquisition of trail easements in subdivision applications.

After a period of one year, the Board of Selectmen may reappoint or disband the committee at its discretion.