Date: Fri 06-Oct-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Conservation-greenway-iroquois

Full Text:

Conservation Panel Proposes A Townwide Greenway

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Conservation Commission is proposing construction of a townwide trail

network for the public enjoyment of open space areas and for low-intensity

recreational activities.

In a September 28 letter to First Selectman Robert Cascella, Donald Lawrenson,

Conservation Commission chairman, writes, "The Newtown Conservation Commission

is committed, providing an allocation of $300,000...of Iroquois land

preservation and enhancement prrogram funds are allocated, to implement a

major open space and recreation objective of the town plan of development

(i.e;) to institute a designed system of foot and bridle trails and bikeways

which will link key components of the open space network and community

facilities."

The town has access to more than $400,000 in Iroquois Gas Transmission System

grant funding. The funds have been designated to acquire open space properties

by the end of December. The natural gas company provides communities through

which its pipeline passes with such grant funds as compensation for having the

pipeline present.

In the letter, Mr Lawrenson explains the Conservation Commission's concept for

a trail network.

The network would consist of a system of interconnecting multipurpose trails

on exclusive rights-of-way as well as roadside bikeways. The trail network

would include a "primary trail" which follows the town's boundary lines to

provide access to trails in adjoining towns. A series of secondary interior

trails would provide access to the primary trail.

According to Mr Lawrenson, "The proposed trails would be more than random

paths. Rights-of-way of generous dimensions with easily travelled surfaces

preplanned for casual maintenance would be designed and constructed for

maximum enjoyment and safety. Natural resouce protection, aesthetic

appreciation, grade control, safeguarding of privacy, and prevention of

inappropriate usewould be essential concerns."

Bicycle routes would be created along major "collector" roadways to facilitate

bicycle travel to recreational, commercial, and cultural facilities. Mountain

bike riding would be allowed on the proposed trail system, according to Mr

Lawrenson.

Mr Lawrenson suggests that planning and creating a trail network be done by a

committee composed of Conservation Commission members, community

organizations, and people who have an intererst in open space land

preservation and recreation.

Construction Work

Expenses involved in such a project would include installing culverts and

bridges over streams, building fences and gates, doing land grading work,

installing signs, planting visual screening, and improving road shoulders,

according to the Conservation Commission chairman.

Mr Lawrenson observes that the proposed trail network and bicycling paths

reflect the the intent of Public Act 95-335, a state law designed to foster

the creation of "greenways" or land conservation corridors. The greenway

concept is intended to increase the value of existing open space, provide

improved public access to it, and heigthen public awareness and appreciation

of natural resources. Mr Lawrenson proposes implementing a state law to spur

construction of a trail newtwork. That law limits the liability of property

owners of land used for recreational purposes in terms of acquiring trail

easements and open space easements.

The town's 1993 plan of development calls for the creation of continuous

greenways and linkages which interconnect components of local open space land.

Typically, in approving subdivisions of land, the town's Planning and Zoning

Commission (P&Z) requires that a portion of the land being subdivided be

donated to either the town or the Newtown Forest Association, a local land

conservation group. By interconnecting the open space parcels into a network

of properties via rights-of-way and easements, the P&Z has been building an

open space system. Such trail networks also are known as "greenways."

If suitable open space land isn't available on a subdivision site, the P&Z has

the option of seeking a donation of money from the developer in lieu of open

space which is then placed in the town's open space land acquisition fund.

In a cautionary note to the first selectman, Mr Lawrenson writes "The

opportunity for developing a trail system throughout the town is diminishing

rapidly. This may well reprsent the last real chance to create this type of

landmark."

About four years ago, Iroquois made of grant of more than $900,000 in open

space grants to the town. Money from the fund has been used to help build the

Treadwell Park swimming pool, improve the Orchard Hill Nature Center, and

build a new dam at Hattertown Pond.

Cascella Responds

First Selectman Robert Cascella said he has received Mr Lawrenson's proposal

as well as proposals from other local groups interested in preserving open

space land.

Mr Cascella said he is developing a proposal to be made public soon which will

address local open space preservation. Mr Cascella said he wants the public to

comment on the proposal which concerns the creation of a "townwide greenway

system." The upcoming proposal is "truly about preserving a major, major piece

of the community," he said.

Funding for such a project could include the Iroquois open space funds as well

as other funds, he said.

The selectmen will be discussing the greenway topic at an upcoming meeting, Mr

Cascella said.