The Newtown Bridle Lands Association (NBLA) has a longstanding and rich history in town. And while horses may be a big part of the lives of NBLA members and their mission, the group plays a significant role in many other forms of recreation that benefit residents with various other interests.

This summer, NBLA was recognized by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection with a prestigious Greenway Award for its ongoing work in establishing and improving Newtown’s trail system. The award is a reflection of the work NBLA does to preserve open space and make it accessible for passive recreation.

In the 47 years since its founding in 1978, NBLA has dedicated itself to not only promoting horseback riding but also to preserving open space and trails throughout Newtown. Many of the trails are on public land or Newtown Forest Association property and so are available for all types of passive recreation, be it horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, or dog walking.

NBLA was initially formed by a small group of riding and nature enthusiasts. Today, the group has over 130 members and a ten-person board of directors. NBLA’s activities encompass preserving and expanding Newtown’s trail system and hosting educational talks, demonstrations, and group trail rides.

“Our work has many components, such as clearing and maintaining trails, posting signage, working with town employees and with landowners,” said NBLA President Tracy Van Buskirk, who engages in most of the interaction with the town.

“Stephanie Lennon is our trail coordinator, and she maintains our good relationships with landowners. Stephanie also works with a local landscaping contractor for actual trail clearing. This gentleman and his team are geniuses at understanding topography and water flow to avoid erosion. Volunteers also help us with hands on smaller tasks, such as removing a fallen tree. We fund our work with membership fees, occasional fundraisers, and donations from private entities. We have also received state grants to fund specific projects,” Van Buskirk added.

Newtown was a rural community 40 years ago and it was easy to be on horses on long enjoyable trail rides, Van Buskirk points out. A horseback rider could pack a lunch in their saddlebag and head out for the day. The local landscape and NBLA have changed and evolved over the years, but the group will always support horseback riding and open space, she added.

Preserving Access To Trails

NBLA works with landowners and developers to create and maintain crucial links in Newtown’s trail system. Due to the efforts of NBLA’s all-volunteer board and members, all town-owned open space is available to horseback riders. In the 1990s and 2000s, NBLA worked hand in hand with developers and the town to designate trail easements as new neighborhoods were constructed. Many of these connect a development to open space via a narrow accessway. Legal recreational easements which can be found on town Geographic Information System maps are often used by residents to access nature. Established trails generally result in less damage to natural areas because users stay on the trail thus reducing erosion and damage to threatened flora and fauna.

Development is an inexorable force and since the founding of NBLA almost 50 years ago, the number and scope of trails has become more limited here in Newtown, Van Buskirk noted. Additionally, when properties change hands, permission to cross the land, even on a well-established trail, must be sought anew. The risk in losing one small portion of a trail is that it impacts a much larger section that could be a mile or more in length because there is no viable alternative route. NBLA sincerely appreciates property owners who take a more community minded approach when considering the future of a trail.

Things are more difficult for NBLA than they used to be.

Dee Davis, former president of NBLA who has served as vice president for many years, has been involved with Newtown Bridle Lands for nearly 30 years, going back to the early days of establishing trails. “Back then, the process was so much easier — Planning and Zoning, Conservation, the builders, and property owners all worked together. There was a shared sense of purpose and cooperation,” Davis said of her early days with the group.

“Now, with all the new development and many new people on the various boards, it’s a different landscape. It’s not as easy to preserve access to trails,” Davis said. “It’s important to remember that the Newtown Bridle Lands Association began preserving trails nearly 50 years ago. That legacy of stewardship deserves recognition and continued support.”

Newtown is still known for its rural character and NBLA Vice President Andrea Brosnan, also a realtor, believes that this increases property values because many buyers are looking for open space, walking trails, and having somewhere close by where they can be in nature. Horse people come to Newtown to keep horses at home because it is one of the few remaining horse towns in Fairfield County. Brosnan notes that she has seen listings that highlight nearby open space and walking trails as a perk of the property.

The State of Connecticut has a Recreational Land Use Immunity Law (52-557g) that limits liability to landowners who allow part or all of their land to be used for recreational purposes and collect no fee. Landowners have no duty of care to keep the property safe in those cases. An additional positive feature is that NBLA itself holds liability insurance and includes relevant landowners on their policy. In the nearly half-century history of NBLA there has never been a lawsuit against a property owner by an NBLA member, NBLA officials note.

Many members and nonmembers alike ask the organization for maps to show where they can ride. NBLA has a dedicated page on its website describing places to ride on either state- or town-owned property or Newtown Forest Association (NFA) preserves, as well as locations outside of town. However, some of the NBLA trails are on private property under special easement agreements. To protect these property owners from non-member usage, these trail maps are not published. Members often take other members out on rides to guide them on these trails, explain where to park and any special requirements of property owners such as opening/closing gates or walk-only areas.

NBLA’s Continued Mission And Accomplishments

A big dream of NBLA is to link open space with existing trails for a town-wide trail system. Al’s Trail, the bike path that will connect Newtown to Bridgeport, the walkways at Fairfield Hills and trails on NFA properties are all possible components of this potential web of beautiful trails connecting neighborhoods, Van Buskirk said.

NBLA also hosts educational talks that are almost always free of charge to members. Past presentations have covered topics such as nutrition, first aid, camping with your horse, estate planning for your pet, equine dentistry, property diet for special needs, and many others. NBLA members have arranged demonstrations such as energy work, equine communication, and safety around horses.

Kimberly Chabot has been with the group for eight-plus years, a board member for the past five. “My desire to join the organization began when I rescued my Missouri Fox Trotter mare, Opal, and I was seeking out like-minded horse enthusiasts to connect and ride with. When I learned more about the mission of the NBLA, which is not only to create and maintain trails for passive use, but to preserve open space and in turn the traditions that make Newtown a special place to live, this resonated with own my values of being a good environmental steward for future generations,” Chabot said.

“My enjoyment is three-fold: I am part of an amazing group people and have forged life-long friendships with individuals in my community that share the same principles; I can help bring awareness to the importance of environmental sustainability in a world where climate change and its lasting effects are being felt each day; and through the NBLA’s work, I can take concrete actions to make our town and the world a better place to live,” Chabot added.

Over the years, NBLA has logged many accomplishments; some highlights are:

*In 2006, NBLA established a trail on the Kazan property in Sandy Hook near Route 34 and High Rock Road. This is a 213-acre property owned by the state that includes Warner Pond.

*NBLA worked with the State of Connecticut to form the Equine Advisory Council in 2007. This organization promotes equestrian use of public lands, including preserving and maintaining trails.

*Using a grant from the National Recreational Trails Program in 2007, NBLA designed and built a horse-safe foot bridge near Silver Brook Road and Maltbie Road on town property. The bridge was dedicated to former Trail Master David McCauley.

*In 2016, NBLA constructed and opened the Trail of Angels on the property of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. This trail is in honor of the lives lost at Sandy Hook School in 2012. The trail is open to hikers, dog walkers, and horseback riders. It winds its way through mature forest with lovely views of Deep Brook, a pristine trout stream.

*In 2023, the group designed and printed “Horse Friendly” trail signs to signal to equestrians and other visitors that a trail is open to horseback riding.

*In 2024, NBLA applied for and received a grant from the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program to construct a parking area at NFA’s Fosdick Preserve and to build a horse- and pedestrian-safe land bridge at Cherry Grove Farm Preserve, providing easy access to a large meadow. Both projects were completed within six months of receiving the grant.

NBLA works with other like-minded organizations in town. NBLA has donated funds to the NFA for its purchase of Cherry Grove Farm Preserve and Deep Brook Preserve. NBLA has also, at its own cost, made significant and valuable improvements to NFA properties, participated in CVH Animal Sanctuary and Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard annual events, and hosted joint events with nearby trail associations such as winter rides at nearby beaches.

The group also collaborates with the Town’s Land Use Agency and the Conservation Commission to secure approval to make trail improvements. Deputy Director of Land Use Steve Maguire often goes out to explore and mark trails with NBLA board members. Van Buskirk attends the Bike and Trail Committee meetings to share information towards reaching common goals.

Since 1978, NBLA has hosted the annual Frost on the Pumpkin Hunter Pace. On the last Sunday in October, scores of riders congregate in a big field on Mount Nebo Road to ride an approximately seven-mile course through woods and meadows. Local property owners generously allow the horses to cross their trails, as does the Newtown Forest Association. Participants dress themselves and their horses in Halloween costumes hoping to earn the Best Costume award. It is without a doubt a feel-good event celebrating horses and the beauty of our town, Van Buskirk noted.

Group trail rides are a very popular activity. Often called show and go rides, the organization takes members on fun trail explorations and shows them where to ride in Newtown and in other nearby towns. Besides learning about where to ride, these events are great for networking with other riders.

NBLA is so much more than a horse club and its presence and activities have contributed to the rural nature and attractiveness of Newtown, Van Buskirk said. It is a custodian of open space and trails and so its reach goes beyond horse lovers.

The group encourages interested parties to visit the NBLA website at nblact.org. Donations to support NBLA’s activities are always graciously accepted.

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Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.