Rocky Glen Rendezvous Coming Up—

Al’s Trail Volunteers Set Sights On Sandy Hook Section

The small army of faithful and intrepid trail blazers known as the Newtown Trails volunteers are set to resume work on the ten-mile continuous trail system through Newtown known as Al’s Trail.

Their target opening day event is Saturday, April 9, for a work party in the Rocky Glen State Park section of Al’s Trail. This section is accessed at the century-old iron footbridge over the Pootatuck River that connects the end of Dayton Street with Glen Road across the river.

Appalachian Mountain Club Consultant Harlan Jessup will lead a group of volunteers meeting at 9 am by the bridge. All who are interested in helping are welcome, whether or not they have worked on the Newtown trail project before.

Volunteers should wear sturdy boots and bring a shovel. Heavy rain postpones the workday.

“We’ll work on those troublesome spots in Rocky Glen State Park near the vista and at the bottom near the confluence of the two streamlets that flow into the Pootatuck River,” said Newtown Trails leader Pat Barkman.

“Also, there’s a huge tree that’s down on the White [spur] Trail that needs its branches cut. Bring whatever tools you think would help with the job,” she added.

Trail workers may park on both sides of the river near the bridge. Parking is also available at the Methodist Church across from Dayton Street on Church Hill Road.

“We’ll quit before 1 pm and have lunch at the Sandy Hook Diner. Lunch is on me,” promised Ms Barkman.

“Eagle Scout Michael Corbeil has rocked in the wet spots of the trail we worked on last fall on the Sherman Mile section between the railroad tunnel and Old Farm Road Bridge…It will be great to see you all again and to be out there working on the trail,” Ms Barkman tells her volunteers.

The Newtown Trails Committee has applied for a National Trails grant to build one of several bridges needed to complete the ten-mile trail.

Anyone wishing to volunteer or needing further information should call Pat Barkman at 426-8949.