Walking up a wooded slope heading away from Berkshire Road and into the woods, Deputy Director of Planning, Land Use and Emergency Management Rob Sibley soon came to a clearing. Toeing aside dry leaves, he indicated an old charcoal mound and subtle rise in the ground, surrounded by a brief depression. During the 1800s when the land far down Route 34 near the Monroe town line was "probably denuded," people could have been using the area for industrial purposes.

Stepping deeper into the primarily undisturbed forest, he was soon following an old stonewall downhill from large rock outcroppings, and headed toward the Halfway River on one of Newtown's newest open spaces.

Drifting past and catching his attention in brief yellow flashes was a swallowtail butterfly, sharing what is now publicly accessible land and identified as "one of the only areas in Newtown with access to the Halfway River," Mr Sibley said.

The Halfway River Access Project is Newtown's portion of a Housatonic River Basin Resource Restoration Project, which awarded Newtown grant funds to acquire and improve a more than 13-acre parcel along the river. In 2006/2007 GE had pleaded no contest to river pollution from its Pittsfield, Mass., location, and awarded the state funds for projects along the Housatonic. A tributary, the Halfway River empties into Lake Zoar (part of the Housatonic River) at Eichler's Cove, just a short walk away. (Learn more about the GE/Housatonic River clean up at epa.gov/ge-housatonic.)

According to town paperwork, the acquisition "would permanently protect riparian and aquatic habitat" by the river. With the grant funds and help from The Trust For Public Land, Newtown was able to purchase the private property in 2009 for $305,000, and add the acres to Newtown's preserved spaces.

In 2015, contractors designed a small parking area, which was completed earlier this year. The property and access, about two-thirds of a mile uphill from the junction of Route 34 and Route 111 in Monroe, now contains small yellow trailway markers. Mr Sibley has also approved an upcoming Eagle Scout project for trail improvements.

As of a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 4, the unfinished trail down to the Halfway River is now open.

The area is meant for "passive enjoyment," Mr Sibley said, and offers a glimpse of the Halfway River, which is the "cleanest and healthiest stream in Newtown." Its headwater is off of New Lebbon Road.

After entering the woods and approaching the old stonewall, Mr Sibley's path sloped gently downhill. Once below the rise, traffic sounds disappear.

"Route 34 is gone," he said.

Searching the ground beneath his feet he pointed out one of his favorite woodland grasses with "a nice, gentle feel" underfoot. Slightly above him was a "nice rock formation," and finally from down the hill came murmuring sounds of water rushing along a stony riverbed. Following what appeared to be a pathway along its banks was another manmade effort to redirect rainwater flooding downhill - a sluiceway, which Mr Sibley pointed out.

Just below and directly on the river was a foundation to an old mill. Mr Sibley imagined how the location could have worked as water "hits the berm and flows down to spin the mill," he said. He wonders if the location were for grist or textile. The mill is an "unintended historical preservation," now that the land is protected, he said.

Walking through a wooded hemlock mix of forest, he saw few invasive plants and noticed that the river there did not appear to flood. He saw patches of fern and trillium and found a small stream that fed into the river.

Considering the space, Mr Sibley said, "I want nothing more than for generation to generation to come to this place and have the same wonder." He soon hopped down to stand on river stones, peering into the rippling water. He saw a wood frog that clamored up the steep bank. The location - undisturbed and remaining natural - is "wonderfully ordinary," he said.