Date: Fri 26-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Goodrich-Mitchell-Trails-Book

Full Text:

Co-Authors Are Preparing Third Revision Of Popular Newtown Trails Book

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Newtown authors Al Goodrich and Mary Mitchell are hot on the trail of

revisions that need to be made to their book, Newtown Trails Book , before the

third version goes to print. The guide, which is a fundraiser for the Cyrenius

Booth Library, includes history, photographs, pull-out maps, and directions to

eight hiking trails and six rail-trails in town.

"We're interested in whether or not there are problems on any of the trails,"

said Mr Goodrich. "We want to know if people can't find the trail, if they

don't understand the blazes, and whether or not the directions are

satisfactory."

Although changes are already being made on parts of the book, the team is

seeking suggestions by August 2 for improving both the maps and text. The

areas included in the book are: Orchard Hill Nature Center, Boggs Hill

Preserve, Rocky Glen State Park, Upper and Lower Paugussett State Forest,

Huntington State Park, Hattertown Pond Preserve, and Weantinogue Henry

Wildlife Preserve. Some of these hiking trails are also used for horseback

riding and cross-country skiing.

The Rail-Trails are properties that traverse the footprint of the former train

tracks for the Housatonic Railroad to Brookfield Junction/Pittsfield, New York

and New England Railroad to Danbury/Brewster, the Shepaug Valley Railroad to

Litchfield, the New York and New England Railroad to Waterbury and Hartford,

and the Housatonic Railroad to Bridgeport, and New Haven and Derby Railroad to

New Haven.

Newcomers have found the trails book especially helpful in becoming acquainted

with Newtown, said Mrs Mitchell. Most of the trails documented are easy to

moderate and many are suitable for all ages.

The maps come in a narrow hard-plastic binder. Newtown Trails Book III will be

available at the library's annual Labor Day weekend book sale for $15; a

limited number of Rail-Trails maps are also still available to those who want

to update the first edition at a cost of $8.

Anyone with information that might be helpful in the updated the book may call

Al Goodrich at 426-0493.