Plan Would Have Parks & Rec Take Over Town’s Trail System

By Jan Howard

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal is considering a proposal that would designate an ad hoc trails committee with responsibility for development and maintenance of the town’s trails.

Mr Rosenthal said this week he would like the Board of Selectmen to consider the appointment of a five-member ad hoc trails committee that would report to the Parks and Recreation Commission, similar to how the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force reports to the Conservation Commission.

Under the town’s charter, the Board of Selectmen has the authority to create ad hoc committees, he said.

Mr Rosenthal said recently that Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Larry Haskel had expressed an interest in expanding the scope of his department to include more passive recreational activities, such as hiking, and to take over maintenance of the town’s trails.

Mr Rosenthal said that the Parks and Recreation Department has both the staff and equipment to maintain the trails. He noted that in other towns, the Parks and Recreation Department oversees and maintains trails as part of its responsibilities.

Before any new committee is created, however, Mr Rosenthal said, “I want to talk about it further.” Because the town’s trail system requires ongoing maintenance, he said he would like to see its supervision come under the auspices of the Parks and Recreation Commission, which is established under the town’s charter, and not under an ad hoc committee that could be eliminated at some time in the future.

If an ad hoc trails committee is approved, Mr Rosenthal said the Board of Selectmen would redefine the charge of the Ad Hoc Open Space Committee and formulate a new charge for the trails committee.

“I see it as a long-term committee,” he said. If the trails are maintained and marked carefully, he added, town residents might be more willing to allow easements over their properties to connect various trail systems.

Mr Haskel presented the proposal to his commission Tuesday night. He said Wednesday that the proposed new responsibility would be a “major undertaking for Parks and Recreation” and give his commission an opportunity to reach out to a new segment that was not part of its programs. He said it would also help its commitment to provide healthy exercise for all its customers, such as senior citizens and the handicapped, for whom not enough has been done for health-related activities.

He envisions a future paved walking trail that would also be suitable for biking and roller blading.

Another activity he would like to encourage would be cross-country skiing in specific areas. “Every option is open,” he said. “We would begin to look at trails for everyone’s use.”

He said an ad hoc trails committee would make it possible for his commission to combine recreation for all ages. “It would be a big plus for us,” he said.

However, Mr Haskel noted that his commission’s involvement this year, if the proposed ad hoc committee were approved, would begin in a limited fashion because no funds have been budgeted for the new responsibility.

“This would be a fairly big effort,” he said, that would involve people, equipment, and money issues.

He said his commission would not be expected to dive in initially, but “when we are able to budget and get appropriate personnel.” Mr Haskel said additional staffing and equipment most likely would be required.

Until then, Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian said her department would be “stretched thin.”

Mr Haskel also noted that if the trails committee were appointed he would meet with the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force to determine what work is required and then come up with a budgeting plan.

“Our plan is to meet with them and to help them in any way we can,” Mr Haskel said. “We plan to learn. I think we will be very successful.”

He said concentration at the present time would continue to be on Al’s Trail, a nine-mile continuous greenway trail from Reed Intermediate School to Upper Paugussett State Forest.

“We would help them with the resources we have at this point,” he said.

Mr Haskel said as part of the new responsibility he would seek funding opportunities. Ms Kasbarian said the government has not cut trail and open space grants because of the emphasis on healthier living.

Mr Haskel said his department currently maintains Orchard Hill Nature Center with volunteer help. “We need to see exactly what is anticipated of Parks and Rec.”

Mr Haskel said initially his department “would help where we can, and then move forward through budgeting to get the program off the ground.”

Mr Rosenthal’s goal in recommending another committee is to have the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force focus on acquisition of open space properties. The 2004-05 fiscal year budget has allocated $2 million for the acquisition of open space.

He complimented the task force for its ongoing work on Al’s Trail. “The Open Space Task Force has done a wonderful job,” he said, noting that its members should see Al’s Trail through to its completion in December. He noted the committee is going to need help from the Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments in completing the trail.

In addition to reporting to Parks and Recreation, Mr Rosenthal said he would also want the trails committee members to stay in contact with the Ad Hoc Open Space Task Force. “I would want the two committees to communicate with each other,” he said.

Mr Haskel agreed, noting he would like to have a representative on the Open Space Task Force.

Mr Haskel and Ms Kasbarian said volunteers are needed to help with Al’s Trail, and that they would welcome volunteers to help with an ad hoc trails committee if one is appointed.

It is expected that the proposed formation of an ad hoc trails committee would be discussed at an upcoming Board of Selectmen’s meeting.