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Website Offers Details, Ways To Support Fruit Tree Project At FFH

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Plans to install fruit trees along the Fairfield Hills walking trail are now accompanied by a website. The opening page for NewFruitTrail.com lets readers know: "It's time to build a better world."

Newtown native Andrew Mangold in past weeks has presented concepts for forming volunteer teams to plant and maintain edible fruit tree plantings in locations along the recreational trail on the parklike campus. Already he has spoken with the Fairfield Hills Authority and Parks and Recreation Commission, which welcomed the idea. He is ultimately seeking approval from town officials for a project "promising to have incredibly positive impact on our town," as stated in paperwork he provided the Parks and Rec commissioners earlier in March.

Mr Mangold aims to bring the trees, ground cover, herbs to "empty grass sections" along the trail, except for the meadow, he has said. Ultimately the project's scale "comes down to funds." Various tiers for fundraising goals will determine the extent of planting, he said.

The website states: "We are creating a plan to fill the length of Newtown's new walking trail with edible, ecological plants that will benefit our community for years to come." Beneath the statement is a photograph showing a winding section of paved trail with grass and overgrowth on either side. That image fades as a hand-drawn rendering of that same trail section shows fruit trees with other flowers and plantings.

The statement continues: "The trail will be lined with fruit trees, nut trees, medicinal plants and wildflowers for the benefit of all who visit the trail."

Another image reveals a Fairfield Hills map with the trail clearly defined and divided into eight sections and how planting would take place there. Another statement beckons to volunteers, "Anyone who could possibly want to have a say or a role in this project is invited to do so." Mr Mangold's aim is to formulate "a final community-generated design," the site states.

The plan will be "clearly organized," as explained on the homepage, which says, "It will take a lot of people working together to fill this much space with this many plants." Eight teams will each tackle a section of planting with a team leader. Planting guides, material reservoirs, and plant stations will help streamline the process, the site states. The installation day can include artists, musicians, dance, and food. "Let's turn the restoration of our land into marvelous healing events," the site says.

Other pieces of information on the site indicate that the trails will be planted in a manner that requires less and less effort while becoming more and more productive as time goes on. "This project will benefit generations of people, plants and animals for decades to come," Mr Mangold's website promises.

A final quote on the home page says the project is "In honor of all those who came before us, for the good of those yet to come, and for the joy of all those here today." This is the first farm park by Mr Mangold's Greentek initiative.

The site details plans for collecting visions and ideas from the town this spring to form a master plan for planting. Mr Mangold envisions a summer planting to install the garden.

Another part of the site invites viewers to make donations, contribute skills, equipment, sponsorships, and more. Checks supporting the project can be made out to Parks Gift Fund for Newtown Fruit Trail, and mailed to Parks and Recreation, 3 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.

In a recent e-mail, Mr Mangold confirmed that the fundraising process has already begun.

"People have contacted me to donate," he wrote. "One grant has been offered to Parks and Recreation, and one resident already contributed a generous sum. There are others who have pledged to contribute."

He and supporters will approach other foundations also.

"Anyone is free to donate online, or to bring this project onward to other sources that may like to contribute in a monetary way," he wrote.

A recently launched website allows visitors to learn more about a series of fruit trees Andrew Mangold would like to plant along the trails at Fairfield Hills. Visitors can also learn how they can join those who have already offered financial support for the proposed project. (newfruittrail.com/courtesy Andrew Mangold)
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