Greetings from all of us at Shoreline Greenway Trail
You have landed on a temporary home page of what will soon become a new and improved destination for all things Shoreline Greenway Trail, and more. For our First Saturday Walks schedule, please refer to the details on the right.
Important current information for our members, supporters, and others interested in our Trail
-Chip Angle, Chairman, Shoreline Greenway Trail
At the end of Summer, as we approach a new season, I’m taking this opportunity to share key facts relating to the distribution of Federal Transportation Grant funds awarded to Shoreline Greenway Trail.
The Grant Funds Fact 1: The federal grant funds ($2.650 million) were divided in two parts, covering each federal congressional district through which the Trail will pass. Madison received one part, $900,000, while the remainder was allocated to the three towns of East Haven, Branford and Guilford. The state of Connecticut met a 25% required match.
The Preliminary Engineering Study Fact 2: The first phase of the federal grant encompassed a Preliminary Engineering Study* conducted by Stantec*, Inc., an internationally acclaimed engineering firm hired under the direct supervision of SCRCOG*, and under the auspices of a Committee composed of SCRCOG, the four Towns (East Haven, Branford, Guilford and Madison), and the Shoreline Greenway Trail.
Fact 3: This Study, completed June 30, 2010, presents only what is possible at this moment in time – i.e., the suggested routes as outlined may not be where we hope to go, or even meet our standards, but they are all that is possible at this given moment, without more landowner approvals in hand. As such, some possible routes presented in the Study may not be acceptable to the Shoreline Greenway Trail.
Stantec Recommendations Fact 4: Stantec’s primary recommendation states that $1.9 million of federal monies for this round of funding should be used to build two trail sections in East Haven – which is the only Town poised to build two major and costly Trail sections right now.
Current Status Fact 5: Branford’s First Selectman, Anthony ‘Unk’ DaRos, supports Stantec’s recommendation for East Haven. Guilford’s First Selectman Joe Mazza wants 1/3 of the funding to build sidewalks along Route 146.
Our Board of Directors’ Position Fact 6: The Board voted unanimously that the remaining sum for the three towns should be allocated to East Haven, as per Stantec’s primary recommendation. Our Board voted to follow Stantec’s recommendation and build two major sections in East Haven. Our intent is to apply for additional grants and use private funds to build other trail sections in Branford and Guilford as landowner permissions are secured. Until then, having showcase anchors in both East Haven and Hammonasset is preferable.
Fact 7: The Board is in full agreement that sidewalks on Route 146 or Route 1 in Guilford do not meet the criteria needed to be Guilford’s first trail section.
Fact 8: The Board believes its opinions represent the best interests of the Towns in creating a multi-use and safe Trail that’s easily accessible and primarily off-road.
This is a crucial time for our all-volunteer organization and the community asset we continually strive to create. We’ve made much progress in achieving our vision of a glorious trail that connects the places and people of our shoreline Towns, and we have a long way to go. Although this 20- to 30-year project will take a lot of hard work, perseverance and patience, we’re ready as always. Thank you for your continued support.
The Shoreline Greenway Trail will connect parks, railroad stations, town centers and other trails for access by hikers, bicyclists, runners, families with strollers, and anyone else who loves nature and being outdoors. The 25-mile trail from Lighthouse Point on New Haven Harbor to Hammonasset Beach State Park is being built for non-motorized recreation and transit, section-by-section, with varied surfaces appropriate to the land, sensitive to the environment, and acceptable to landowners through East Haven, Branford, Guilford and Madison.
