The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that the Connecticut Greenways Council (CGC) held its 26th Annual Connecticut Greenway Awards at Riverfront Recapture’s Boathouse in Hartford on June 6. The event is traditionally held on the Friday before Connecticut Trails Day, which occurred the weekend of June 7 and 8.

The Byram River Greenway in Greenwich was formally designated at the event. Awards were presented to six additional organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion, development, and enhancement of greenways in Connecticut. Among them is the Newtown Bridle Lands Association (NBLA).

A greenway is a corridor of open space that may protect natural resources such as river corridors, preserve scenic landscapes such as ridgelines, preserve historical resources such as historic barge canals, offer opportunities for recreation or nonmotorized transportation including paved or unpaved trail systems, or connect existing protected open spaces and provide access to the outdoors. They may be located along a defining natural feature such as a waterway, in a greenspace along a highway or around a village, or along a man-made corridor including an unused right-of-way, traditional trail routes, or historic barge canals.

The NBLA was formed in 1978 by a small group of riding enthusiasts. NBLA’s activities encompass preserving and expanding Newtown’s trail system and offering educational talks, demonstrations, and group trail rides. NBLA members work with landowners and developers to maintain and preserve crucial links in Newtown’s trail system. Due to members’ efforts, all town-owned open space is available to horseback riders. NBLA’s ultimate goal is to link open space with existing trails for a town-wide trail system. It received a Recreational Trails Grant in 2023 to improve a trail crossing and develop a new parking area for both horse trailer and car parking to support trail access in the Newtown Forest Association’s properties. The projects were successfully completed within six months of grant contract execution.

“Connecticut's Official Greenways connect municipal, state, and private lands for the benefit of our communities by enhancing public access and recreation and protecting natural watersheds and wildlife corridors,” said Katie Dykes, Commissioner of the Connecticut DEEP. “The addition of the Byram River Greenway in Greenwich celebrates public access while promoting environmental stewardship and conservation. Trail professionals and committed advocates and volunteers play essential roles in the planning, upkeep, and protection of Connecticut’s Trails and Greenways. Congratulations and thank you to each of this year’s awardees.”

For information on the NBLA, visit nblact.org.