New Trail Will Wind Through Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

Another scenic trail will soon join Newtown’s many preserves, parks, state forestlands, and areas protected for recreational open space.

Last month the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) held a kick-off meeting for the development of a new hiking trail along the Aspetuck River. The anticipated seven-mile trail will connect the Huntington State Forest near Poverty Hollow Road in Newtown to Rockhouse Road in Easton. The path will meander through land in Bethel, Newtown, Redding, and Easton.

“It’s going to be a go,” said Newtown resident and CFPA member Eric Bengtson. He anticipates final approvals that will lead to a trail blazing as soon as late March or early April.

“We’ll get out on the trail and clean and clear the brush and blaze it so hikers know where the path is.” Looking ahead to an already expected grand opening for June, he said, “It will be a foot path only.”

No wheeled vehicles will be permitted on the path, specifically because much of the trail sits on former water company property and also occupies a watershed.

Hiking, running, skiing, geo-caching, and letter boxing are among activities welcomed. “No animals or vehicles,” he said. Restrictions protect the watershed, he explained.

The state forest and soon-to-be trail opens more land to the public. Clearing the trail also required permits, for which Bengtson awaits final approvals as soon as this week or next.

Residents looking to be among the first to lay fresh tracks with their hiking boots and walking sticks are welcome to tread the area set aside for the new trail.

Already as many as 60 people have volunteered to help establish the trail in some capacity, and more are welcome, Mr Bangtson said.

“We are always looking for interested people to help out and give more space to the public,” he said. “We’re looking for all different functions of trail construction and maintenance. Once blazing begins, he said that roughly a year is needed before the trail requires only maintenance.

Where It Came From

The Centennial Watershed State Forest is home to the new seven-mile trail. The governor appointed The Conservation Land Committee in 2002 when the state purchased more 15,300 acres from Aquarion Water Company, known as the Kelda land s the company was then owned by the Kelda Corporation. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association is working in association with the state department of Environmental Protection, Aquarion, and the Nature Conservancy.

According to a past release available on the state government website, Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the designation of the new Centennial Watershed State Forest, the largest open space acquisition in the state’s history, which encompasses more than 15,000 acres of land largely in Fairfield County, about 90 percent, as well as land in Litchfield, New Haven, and Hartford Counties. The name was chosen in recognition of the 100-year anniversary of forest management in the State of Connecticut.

The 15,000 acres that make up the Centennial Watershed State Forest are heavily wooded with miles of pristine streams, upland ridges, and reservoir shorefront.

The trail’s anticipated opening will coincide with National Trail’s Day, June 2.