Several Newtown officials met at the end of the Housatonic Trail in Monroe on May 2 to celebrate the completion of a small project marking preliminary plans to continue the trail into Newtown.

First Selectman Jeff Capeci, Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold, Land Use Director Rob Sibley, and other Parks & Recreation officials met with Jeniam Foundation Executive Director Tripp Killin to express their gratitude for the organization and its support.

The Jeniam Foundation is a small family-based foundation based in Connecticut committed to supporting and providing funding to local communities and nonprofits, with a focus on conservation work. The foundation has previously helped with other Newtown projects, including refreshing the fruit trail and developing the bicycle playground.

“Our main goal was, since they gave us the grant, to just allow him to come out and see the finished product and what the funds gave us,” Mangold said. “It’s really one big thank you.”

The small project, which is a resting area with two benches and a sign, borders the end of the trail in Monroe and was completed with funds provided by the Jeniam Foundation. In 2023, the organization helped fund the project to show Newtown’s commitment and vision toward the future development of the trail.

Each bench sits on recycled concrete and has a plaque with a different dedication on it. One is dedicated to the town staff and citizens of the past, present, and future for their vision of the regional trail system. The other is dedicated to the Jeniam Foundation for their grant and support of the resting area and the trail.

Mangold mentioned that Sibley helped her with the wording for the first plaque since there was only so much space they could use and they wanted to thank as many people as they could.

“There were so many people that we wanted to thank for their involvement, that we just came up with ‘town, staff, and citizens’ because so many people have been involved already, and it’s just gonna involve more,” Mangold said.

The sign features a map of the trail’s proposed development into Newtown beyond the Monroe town border and encourages onlookers to “take a rest and share in our future vision.”

“Ultimately, where we’re standing, it’s the idea, it’s the impetus, it’s the push to get to the next step. So that’s why we really appreciate the support both from the town and the foundation,” Sibley said.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.