My Four Years of Schooling on the Norwalk River Valley Trail
- Emily Burnaman
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By Andrea Gartner, Proud NRVT Executive Director Since 2022
Over the last four years, I’ve learned that building the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) is as demanding as any graduate program, but with far greater rewards for Fairfield County families. Each new mile means safer ways to walk and bike, cleaner air, and more time in nature for our community. Your donation or volunteer hour directly helps design, build, and maintain a 30-mile, universally accessible trail linking Norwalk, Wilton, Redding, Ridgefield, and Danbury.
A Different Kind of Classroom
John Muir once wrote, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” I’ve found that to be true not only on the Norwalk River Valley Trail itself, but in the work of building it. Since becoming Executive Director of the Friends of the NRVT in January 2022, I’ve been immersed in a real-world course of study that spans right-of-way negotiations, funding cycles, public hearings, environmental reviews, and construction schedules.
When I took on this role, I brought nonprofit experience, communication skills, and a comfort with spreadsheets. What I did not fully understand was how complicated, layered, and team-based trail building is, especially when you are knitting together five Fairfield County towns into one continuous active-transportation spine.
Learning to Build a 30-Mile Lifeline
Since 2022, I’ve worked alongside energy company representatives, engineers, archaeologists, biologists, volunteers, and municipal partners to keep trail design, construction, and maintenance moving forward. It has been as demanding as any academic course load but the “final exams” are measured in new miles of safe, off-road trail for local residents.
At first, I imagined I was pursuing an MPA, a “Master of Public Access” focused on expanding safe foot and bike trails across five towns. Very quickly, I realized I was standing on the shoulders of decades of advocates, planners, board members, and public servants who laid the groundwork long before I arrived.
From “Nice-to-Have” to “Must-Have” in Fairfield County
During and after the pandemic, I heard story after story from people who used the NRVT and felt it quite literally helped save their lives. Families walked together, cyclists commuted, seniors stayed active, and children discovered newfound independence, all on a safe, hazard-free path in nature.
In Fairfield County, access to trails shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have” part of everyday life. The NRVT is not an amenity; it is critical infrastructure for health, community, and climate-friendly transportation.
Bridges, Money, and Alignment
That shift changed my “major” to an MBA: Master of Bridges, Money, and Alignment. Finding and securing funding to build public trail miles is a team effort at every step, involving local leaders, state officials, and our Congressional delegation.
Each grant awarded or public vote passed feels like acing a final, because every dollar moves us closer to completing the longest trail in Fairfield County, from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk to Rogers Park in Danbury. Private donations help match public funds, unlock new grants, and cover the design, permitting, and construction details that make each section possible.
What One Mile of Trail Really Represents
This year, we expect activity in Norwalk, Wilton, Ridgefield, and Danbury to yield three additional NRVT miles once state regulatory requirements are satisfied. Three miles may not sound like much at first glance, but in “Trailbuilding 101” each mile represents years of vision, planning, permitting, funding alignment, and interagency coordination.
Your support directly translates into more families safely biking to school, more seniors enjoying daily walks, and more workers commuting by bike instead of car. A single mile opens up new daily routines and new memories for thousands of local users.
Why Your Time and Gift Matter
Legacy projects like the NRVT unfold over time, carried forward by committed elected officials, experts, staff, users, and volunteers. We have already built nearly 13 miles of multipurpose trail, and we are on track to add several more miles in the coming years.
Here’s the impact of your support:
A donation today helps us design, engineer, and construct new trail segments between Norwalk, Wilton, Ridgefield, Redding, and Danbury.
A volunteer hour can help keep existing sections safe and beautiful by clearing debris, improving drainage, and supporting events that bring more neighbors to the trail.
Multi-year pledges and major gifts allow us to plan ahead confidently, accelerating how quickly we can build out remaining gaps.
Every contribution (of time or money) shows up on the ground as more miles of safe, universally accessible trail in Fairfield County.
Class Is Still in Session
Four years in, I understand more clearly the ecosystem of developing the NRVT: the patience it takes, the teamwork it demands, and the long view required to bring a multi-town vision to life. The momentum is real; the Norwalk River Valley Trail is no longer an idea in a planning document but a living, breathing project expanding year by year.
Perhaps my next “degree” is a DDS (a Doctorate in Dirt & Stone) earned one carefully built section at a time. As they say, class is still in session, and I remain, gratefully, a student of this extraordinary trail and the community that supports it.Get Involved & Volunteer Opportunities
The NRVT invites community members to actively contribute to this growing regional asset. There are many ways to get involved and support trail development, maintenance, and outreach:
Board Meetings: The NRVT Board hosts regular public meetings where you can learn about trail plans and share your input.
Communications & Promotion: Help spread the word about NRVT’s benefits throughout Fairfield County.
Fundraising & Events: Play an essential role in organizing guided walks, educational programs, and fundraising activities.
Trail Maintenance: Get hands-on with clearing debris, repairing pathways, and keeping the trail safe and accessible for all users.
For details about volunteering and giving, visit the Get Involved page on our website. Love the NRVT? Help build the next mile. If you or your family walk, run, or bike on the NRVT, you’re already part of this story. One gift today helps turn planned sections into real trail you can use this year. Give now or sign up to volunteer and see your support show up as new miles under your feet.
Comments