Who is hiking on local trails? A new online survey regarding trail use seeks answers to this and other questions.

The members of the Newtown Bike & Trails Committee hope residents will “Please take a moment” to fill out the survey, available at newtown-ct.gov/bike-trails-committee.

“We got the survey working!” exclaimed committee Chairman Brid Craddock in an e-mail to The Newtown Bee this week. The survey will run online indefinitely. It will also be available on paper at an upcoming event open to the public on March 8.

“The survey is a trails survey asking people how they use trails currently,” and the trails need not necessarily be in Newtown, Craddock said. “It asks also what you would like to see on trails in the future.”

Committee members “wanted to prioritize our work in giving townspeople trails they want,” she said. Survey results will also tell members “who our users are, who is out there using trails, and what their needs might be.”

As a hiker, Craddock said, “I would like to have some of the features I travel for brought to Newtown.”

Taking the brief survey is easy, she said. “Go to the website and fill in the form. It’s only a few minutes.

“We did a lot of research for surveys and we think we have the best of the best,” she added.

The survey’s introduction states that the Bike & Trails Committee members “seek to develop a long-term vision for a network of trails in and around Newtown.” Members seek residents’ input “to help guide our work so that we can create something that benefits the whole community.”

A series of questions follows. The survey gathers information about age, frequency of trail use, length of trail visits, and primary activity such as biking or hiking; poses some “Would you use the trails more if …?” questions; and more.

Open House And Symposium March 8

The Bike & Trails Committee, in conjunction with the Newtown Parks & Recreation Department, invites residents to an open house on Sunday, March 8, from 11 am until 1 pm, at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street. Surveys will be available on paper that day.

Committee members will discuss new trails and plans to improve existing trails in town.

An ongoing symposium will also share information on a trail mapping initiative GIS, the program launched last year at the Community Center that lends children bicycles for use on Fairfield Hills trails, a bike-friendly community initiative, and bike repair clinics.

Details will be available about volunteer opportunities with the committee’s Trail Ambassador Program, Connecticut Trail Ambassador Program, Trail Maintenance Crew, and Friends of Newtown Trails Society; and also about spring special events being planned.

Registration is not needed for the event, but additional information is available from Craddock at 203-442-0758 or newtown-ct.gov/bike-trails-committee.