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05/30/2017 12:00 AMShoreline Greenway Trail (SGT) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 11 to introduce its newest section at Farm River State Park.
“We’re ecstatic about opening the new trail,” said East Haven SGT Chair Barbara Brow.
A third of a mile in length, the new section traverses Farm River State Park and extends the East Haven section of the Shoreline Greenway Trail to approximately one mile in total.
It connects a previously completed section of trail on town property at the former D.C. Moore School with Short Beach Road, not far from the Branford town line.
Work on the trail was made possible through a recreational trails grant from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP). The grant was a matching grant, with $94,346 received from the grant, and East Haven Public Services giving an in-kind contribution of close to $17,000.
“It’s a tremendous asset to the town,” said Public Services Superintendent of Operations Robert Parente.
The trail was originally cleared as a walking path by Boy Scout Master Ned Taylor and Boy Scout Troop 401 in 2010.
Using funds from the grant, SGT hired designer and trail builder Josh Ryan of Timber and Stone, LLC, of Vermont to design and construct the trail. Public Services performed a number of tasks, such as hauling out brush, to help make the trail ready for use.
Brow said that unlike other towns, this is East Haven’s first multi-trail system.
“We’ve been well received, and any time we have a walk, well participated,” said Brow, “So it’s something that the people of East Haven really treasure.”
Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., attended the trail’s opening ceremony, and said that he hopes residents will come out to enjoy all of the trails in East Haven. He also commended Brow and SGT.
“Over the last 15 years, they’ve been committed to this trail,” said Maturo, “It’s nice to know that people are committed to something for the benefit of the town.”
The trail is now open to the public for cycling, walking, and other activities. Brow said that the town is currently looking into funding from the Connecticut Department of Transportation so the trail can be extended westward.
SGT will hold a walk on Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m., beginning at the trail located near the D.C. Moore school building. The walk will then transfer to the new Farm River State Park trail to observe caves, small wildlife, Osprey nests, and water views.
The public is invited to join, and anyone looking for more information can call Barbara Brow at 203-469-9127.