A New Blue Blaze Trail Welcomes Families Outdoors

By Kendra Bobowick

Among the environmentalists, professionals, and company representatives gathered along the Newtown, Redding border on June 1, several quietly wondered where Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Gina McCarthy had wandered to after she stepped into the woods. Wearing her hiking shoes and equipped with a trail map, Ms McCarthy wanted to see the trail for herself. 

Ms McCarthy did find her way back to the gathering and was one of several dignitaries to step behind the podium and address a crowd of roughly 50 people gathered at the head of a newly established blue blaze Aspetuck Valley Trail found on the outskirts of Newtown at the end of Poverty Hollow Road and along the edge of the Centennial Watershed Connecticut State Forest. The forest was also recently established in 2004.

“When someone’s opening a trail, I’m there,” Ms McCarthy said. As she spoke to the group huddled in the shade, she swept her arm toward a yellow ribbon that she would soon cut to mark the trail’s official opening. Ms McCarthy glanced at one member of the audience specifically, directing her attention to Charles “Chuck” Firlotte, the president and CEO of Aquarion Water Company. His company made the trail and forest possible.

As she looked to Mr Firlotte, she said, “I can’t tell you what it means to have companies in the state that don’t just understand, but have a commitment [to the environment].” Ms McCarthy continued, “It’s remarkable to have a state that’s beautiful and we have a company like Aquarion to help.”

The state and the Nature Conservancy purchased the land for conservation easements from Aquarion. The purchase then brought together the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, the conservancy, the Department of Environmental Protection, and Aquarion to develop the trail for recreation. Members of the various entities involved in the trail had formed a working committee that included Aquarion representatives Gary Haines, Steve Stamos, and Len DeJong. Eric Bangtson represented the Connecticut Forest & Parks Association, and Steve Patton represented the Nature Conservancy.

 

Connecting With Nature

Ms McCarthy holds the environment in high regard, and is concerned that some residents have not experienced the state’s natural beauty. “There are kids in Hartford that have never seen Long Island Sound,” she said. Noting the name of the road where the crowd was gathered, she said, “Poverty Hollow is an appropriate name for some places…we need to extend this and try to share it with people who don’t have it.” Ms McCarthy also noted that families now have another chance to embrace the outdoors, and as the governor’s proclamation stated, “Reinforce the efforts of Connecticut’s No Child Left Inside initiative.”

Before Ms McCarthy spoke, DEP spokesperson Dennis Schain stepped out of the shade and looked toward the woods and trail in one area, and the gathering of people celebrating another walkway through the outdoors. “It’s all about getting outside,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of his company, Mr Firlotte also noted the No Child Left Inside initiative. “We’re adding to the lives of children. The [initiative] is meant to reconnect families with the outdoors and create the next generation of environmental stewards,” he said.

One environmental-minded guest is pleased with the type of recreation the trail represents. Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) Trail Coordinator Ann Colson said, “I’m excited it’s a blue blaze; there are not many in this part of the state.” Among those applauding the new trails system were CFPA trails chair Weezie Perrine, and her husband and CFPA member Harry Perrine. According to information found at ctwoodlands.org, in 1929 a group of forest association members, under the leadership of Edgar L. Heermance, formed a trails committee and took steps in establishing the Blue Trail System — now grown to more than 700 miles of hiking trails.

According to the website, this network of trails exists because of the dedication of the many volunteers maintaining the trails from one generation to the next. No less important is the support of the private landowners in Connecticut that have opened their property to the trails. The majority of the blue trails are on private lands.  

The new Aspetuck Valley Trail is roughly six miles long and is situated within about 15,000 acres of land maintained by the Conservation Land Committee.

Governor M. Jodi Rell proclaimed June 1 as Aspetuck Valley Trail Day. The trail serves the towns of Newtown, Redding, and Easton, and connects with trails already established in the Huntington State Park.

In the fall of 2004, Ms Rell announced the designation of the new Centennial Watershed State Forest, the largest open space acquisition in the state’s history. The forest encompasses more than 15,000 acres of land that the state acquired in 2002 from the Aquarion Water Company. The name was chosen in recognition of the 100-year anniversary of forest management in the State of Connecticut.

The forest also bears the distinction of being the first new state forest designated in more than 30 years, Ms Rell had said.

Passive recreation such as walking and hiking are permitted. Any wheeled vehicles, including bicycles, are not allowed along the trail.