Planned Fairfield Hills Trail System Beckons People And Horses

By Kendra Bobowick

Outlines of future Fairfield Hills trails triggered a prompt response from Newtown Bridle Lands Association (NBLA) members, including Cindy Miller.

“We heard it was time to come in and learn what it is the town wants to do,” said Ms Miller, one of roughly 12 members filling the small conference room in Town Hall South on January 17. She walked away from the meeting with two primary concerns: trail surfaces and who would oversee the trails.

Authority member John Reed anticipated the ripple of interest, saying, “It doesn’t surprise me there would be a diversity in thoughts on uses. There will be different points of view about the trails at Fairfield Hills.”

Voicing her first concern, Ms Miller said, “They’re talking about pavement in parts, and that’s upsetting to horse people. We want to make sure it doesn’t look like a city sidewalk going through our forest,” she said.

The proposed two-and-a-half mile trail literally crosses paths with roughly eight miles of trails previously established by bridle association members and the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard. Architects presenting design ideas to the Fairfield Hills Authority earlier this month proposed a mix including gravel and pavement in newer areas.

NBLA members were eager to see new trail outlines and compare the proposed routes to “an entire interlocking eight miles,” Ms Miller said. Appealing to the authority, Dr Reed in particular, NBLA members asked the authority to review an overlay of proposed trails compared to the bridle routes. Dr Reed also indicated that he would meet with NBLA representatives, “to share information,” he said.

Ms Miller also contacted First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, offering to “implement the Connecticut Horse Patrol,” of which she is a member, she said.

The volunteer patrol operates under the auspices of the Connecticut Horse Council, and “provides additional eyes and ears in state parks and forests. The patrol helps improve relations between horseback riders and other trail users,” according to a Connecticut Trails Council brochure.

Mr Rosenthal could not be reached for his reaction to the proposal before The Bee went to press this week.

Dr Reed expressed a conservative view of decisions regarding the trails saying, “At some point [the bridle association] will probably present ideas for consideration — and that’s the operative word — to the authority.”

Once the authority and NBLA members are in the “information and clarification stage,” Dr Reed said, “they will need to tell us exactly what they’re requesting.”

Although the authority has not made final decisions regarding the trail, Dr Reed ventured his view that, “I do not see a situation where the Fairfield Hills trail would be turned over to only one group.” Further, he said, “I don’t think the authority can delegate to a group of volunteers.”

He did welcome any involvement that may develop, however.

Dr Reed said, “Volunteers can assist with information and management that we employ for Fairfield Hills, we would appreciate it.”

Ms Miller, a qualified patrol member, has learned the necessary CPR, first aid, and other details involved with the patrol.

The volunteer effort “would be free to the town,” she said.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Barbara Kasbarian believes the trails “may fall under the department’s Trails Committee,” she said.

The varied interest “doesn’t surprise” authority members, including Dr Reed, he said.

In past weeks the Fairfield Hills Authority members listened to an architect’s preliminary discussions of a two-and-a-half mile recreational trail to wind along the campus’s edges as part of the master plan of renovation.

Currently the NBLA uses the eight miles of trails for fundraising efforts such as preserving open space in town and supporting the food pantry. The horse guard also organizes annual events like the St Jude’s Ride to support children at the St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a Turkey Trot, Ride for the Cause Hunter’s Pace, and the Newtown Labor day Parade.