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****SAVE THE DATE – May 4th, 2013 – Blaze the Norwalk River Valley Trail****

Volunteers are needed to clear and blaze the section of the NRVT along Riverside Ave in Norwalk on Saturday May 4th from 9.30am until 12 noon. Meet and park on Riverside Ave by the tile company south of Riverside Cemetery. Tools are needed for cutting vines and small limbs. It is suggested to bring water, wear appropriate footwear and long pants. Contact Jim Carter at (203) 682-300 or David Park at (203) 866-7555

The work is in preparation for public hiking of the NRVT on National Trails Day and Connecticut Trails Day weekend.

The proposed Norwalk River Valley Trail will provide a 38 mile route (including loops) for cyclists, hikers, and walkers from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut, north to Danbury. NRVT will connect to rail stations, schools and offices, offering clean, green transportation as well as recreational opportunities.

September 4, 2012 The First of Three Community Celebrations Launching the Next Phase of the Trail

The first of three celebrations launching the next phase in the development of the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) was held on Tuesday, September 4th in the Brubeck Room of the Wilton Library.  On hand were the first selectmen from Wilton, Ridgefield and Redding, as well as representatives from Alta Design, the firm that conducted the routing study.

September 24, 2011 Dedication of Wilton section of NRVT

On September 24, 2011, local dignitaries christened part of the Wilton section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail as part of the the worldwide 350.org Moving Planet event - a one-day global mobilization in support of climate-friendly transportation. .  From left, Selectmen Hal Clark and Richard Creeth join Representatives John Hetherington and Gail Lavielle, Senator Toni Boucher, Pat Sesto (Wilton Dept. of Environmental Affairs), and First Selectman Bill Brennan in the ribbon cutting.  A group of residents walked the trail from opposite Comstock Community Center, along the Norwalk River, through Merwin Meadows, and into Wilton Center and Schenk’s Island.  Signage donated by the Wilton Alliance for a Healthier Community.

Look for the signs and follow the trail!

June 1 Dedication of Norwalk Section Kiosk      

Community Workshops A Great Success

 

The 200+ people, who attended the Trail Planning Workshops in May, 2011 rapidly discovered that the Trail route and planning details are not etched in stone (or cinder dust or tarmac for that matter). The Norwalk, Wilton, Danbury, Ridgefield and Redding Community Workshops were a great opportunity for the public to provide input on all aspects of the proposed Trail. The five towns are very different, but quite a number of shared visions and priorities for the Trail emerged - a good sign indeed.  People think the Trail should:

• Support multi-faceted, non-motorized used (walking, bicycling, dog walking, cross country skiing, etc.)
• Connect to public transporation
• Provide signage connecting users to points of interest, town centers, transportation, etc.
• Be supported and used by community partners such as YMCA's and businesses
• Connect to and encourage enjoyment of the many natural assets along the way (nature preserves, rivers, etc.)
• Encourage a variety of uses consistent with the varying terrain (e.g., hiking in wooded areas, commuting in more urban areas

If You Can't Come to the Community Workshops We Want to Hear from You     We realize that many supporters of the Trail are not able to attend the community meetings.  We still want to hear from you!  We will be hosting another series of meetings in the future, and you'll read about them here.  In the interim, we'd like to know your thoughts on the Trail-related topics we discuss at the workshops, including: Route selection Trail design and uses Community connections Healthy communities Education Volunteers and partners  Please email Pat Sesto at Patricia.Sesto@WILTONCT.ORG or info@nvrt-trail.com with your ideas regarding the Trail, both in your town and elsewhere.

Volunteers Seeking Other Volunteers   The NRVT is almost exclusively a volunteer-led initiative. There is a certain amount of irony to this:  we have received many kind offers of help, and we are currently looking for a volunteer to respond to and harness all these volunteer energies!  Please be patient, but not too patient, with our efforts to reach out to those who have volunteered.  Here are some of the  available volunteer positions and a tip on how to get involved:   Volunteer coordinator Newsletter copy writer Photographer(s) to attend NRVT events to take pictures for our website, newsletter and Facebook page Hike leaders to guide walks on the existing and proposed sections of the Trail Committee members for our public outreach, fundraising and other committees Donors to fund our newsletter and other activities    Our meetings are public and some of our most engaged volunteers first put a toe in the water with us by attending our meetings.  This is a great way to to become involved and learn about our work.  Please email Pat Sesto at Patricia.Sesto@WILTONCT.ORG and she'll make sure you receive an invitation to our next meeting. Come on out!

Short Term Action Balances Long-Term Planning:  Norwalk's "For Now" Trail     Trail building is underway!  One of the mantras of the NRVT project is to be flexible and to seize opportunities to build this trail.  Even though the routing study is in its early stages, communities like Norwalk have been contemplating the NRVT for a long time and Norwalk has in fact already built a section of the Trail.  This summer Norwalk is repaving and restriping Seaview Avenue and is exploring the idea of incorporating a piece ot the Trail into this work.  The Steering Committee and its consultants are delighted to pursue this opportunity to begin the connections from the Maritime Aquarium down to Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk.  Regardless of whether this "For Now" trail becomes the final route, we believe in moving the process along and promoting short-term results, while working together with our partners in the towns and cities along the proposed Trail route.

 

620 and Growing: Join us and Like Us

The almost complete Norwalk Harbor Loop Trail connects with the Norwalk River Valley Trail. When complete, it's going to provide a fun three mile walk.

Great news for the Ives Trail, which is moving toward completion. Plans call for the Ives Trail to eventually be connected to the Norwalk River Valley Trail.

Ives Trail on Path to Completion

National Park Service Supports River Trail

The Norwalk River Valley Steering Committee is proud to announce that once again it has been selected to receive technical assistance from the National Park Service's Rivers and Trails Program during 2012-2013.  The NPS Rivers and Trails Program works with community groups and municipalities to conserve rivers, preserve open space and develop trails and greenways.  Under this program, the committee will receive the technical assistance of John Monroe, an Outdoor Recreational Planner.

Mr. Monroe will advise the NRVT Steering Committee, which is comprised of local officials and volunteers, as it begins its work on a proposed 27 mile multi-use trail. The trail will connect the existing trail in Norwalk which currently ends at Union Park to the Ives Trail in Danbury eventually extending to downtown Danbury. There will be connections with existing trails along its route.  Mr. Monroe has worked on trail projects in New England for 19 years and his expertise will prove invaluable as the committee begins its routing study and outreach activities.

In 2011, The NRVT Steering Committee received a federal grant of $180,000 (received via the DEP) for a routing study to define the optimal route for this trail as it passes through five towns.

The project has the endorsement of the First Selectmen of all five towns impacted by this initiative (Norwalk, Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield and Danbury) and representatives from all five towns sit on the NRVT Steering Committee.  A Request for Qualifications was posted to the NRVT website for those contractors interested in applying to conduct the routing study.  As the study progresses, the public will have an opportunity to provide input into the trail routing.

For more information, contact Pat Sesto, Town of Wilton Environmental Affairs, 203-563-0180 or patricia.sesto@wiltonct.org.

Governor Rell announces wide-ranging new initiatives to enhance bicycle, pedestrian projects

November 19, 2010

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that as part of an ongoing effort to provide a more balanced transportation network, the state is changing its policies and practices to be more supportive of bicycling and pedestrian projects – a move that will ultimately make it safer and more convenient for Connecticut residents to bike and walk.

“If we are going to have a truly ‘multi-modal’ transportation system, our focus must include bicycle and pedestrian efforts,” Governor Rell said during a news conference on a segment of the East Coast Greenway in Manchester. “As a state, we have made some progress in changing priorities to better incorporate and respond to the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. However, the time has come to step up the pace. (more...)




On Monday morning, Sesto and officials from towns along the proposed trail announced the receipt of the $180,000 grant from the National Recreational Trails Program and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. Confirmation of the award was received this month, according to officials.

The federal money will be used to develop a study, which will serve as the foundation for construction of the trail northward. As part of the study, the steering committee will seek public input on design, routing and other aspects of the trail.

Sesto told The Hour Newspapers that the NRVT steering committee will issue a request for proposals seeking a firm to prepare the study. She hopes to see the study completed within 18 months.

Officials from towns along proposed trail route stood in Union Park at the edge of the current trail and in front of a banner reading "Norwalk River Valley Trail. Five Towns. One Vision."

"I think that this, again, speaks to regional cooperation to solve many of our problems," Norwalk Mayor Richard A. Moccia said. "It's an example of when big cities and small towns can work together."

Also present were state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-26; state Sen. Bob Duff, D-25; state Rep. John W. Hetherington, R-125; Ridgefield First Selectman Rudi Marconi; and Gail Lavielle, a member of the Wilton Board of Finance and chairwoman of the NRVT public outreach subcommittee.

Lavielle credited Sesto with leading the "mammoth task" of assembling the grant application last year within a two-week window -- a deadline was looming. She said construction of the trail has broad support.

"It's rare that you find something that has such universal support. The Norwalk River Valley Trail benefits every one of the communities," Lavielle said. "A number of families have told us they are so happy this is moving along."

Silvermine residents Lance Zimmerman and Deborah Lewis rode their bicycles to the grant announcement. They told The Hour Newspapers that they ride the trail regularly.

"One of my dreams, before my kids graduate from school, is they can safely ride their bikes to school," Lewis said.

Duff, himself a bicyclist, said he enjoys riding the trail, but not having to leave it at Union Park and ride on streets alongside vehicles. Boucher thanked the office of Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the state DEP for shepherding the grant application. Marconi said talk of the trail began many years ago. He credited those early talks and all who've helped advance the concept since. Hetherington said the trail will draw attention to the Norwalk and Silvermine rivers and other wetlands along its route.

"These rivers are really treasures," Hetherington said.