AWARDS CEREMONY TOMORROW
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 10:00 A.M. AT GOVERNMENT CENTER, STAMFORD

The Governor’s Greenways Council today commended Governor Malloy, five individuals, and a regional planning organization that have made significant contributions to the promotion, development and enhancement of Greenways – linear open space in Connecticut – and designated two new State greenways at a ceremony this morning at the Government Center, in Stamford, CT. 

Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) said, “Connecticut’s greenways have provided years of enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for safe and scenic recreational opportunities and protection of natural resources. Today’s designations, including the South Windsor Crosstown Trail will allow residents, both from South Windsor and surrounding towns, the freedom of exploring and enjoying this rural section of Connecticut while the New Milford River Trail follows both the Housatonic and Still Rivers, connecting many historic sites along the way.”

Bruce Donald, Chair of the CT Greenways Council said, “A commitment from the Governor, CTDEEP, CTDOT, our regional COG's, and municipalities, has created an unprecedented effect on the planning, design, and construction of greenways across our state. These projects enhance our communities, our way of life, and attract people who value alternative transportation, health, reduction in pollution and noise, and a very real component of economic development as well."

“The CT Greenways Council’s event is their annual kick-off to CT Trails Day. Connecticut Forest and Park Association’s (CFPA) Connecticut Trails Day has become a real tradition and an eagerly awaited day for all of those who enjoy the outdoors in our state,” said Mike Lambert, Chief, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation of DEEP. “We are also pleased to partner with CFPA and offer many of the Trails Day hikes as this weekend’s activity for our springtime Great Park Pursuit family state park contest.”

Greenways in Connecticut cover thousands of acres throughout every county in the state and may include paved or unpaved trail systems, ridgelines, or linked parcels of open space. Many other communities around Connecticut have chosen, through greenway designation, to recognize the importance of river corridors for natural resource protection, recreational opportunities, and scenic values. The CT Greenways Council website contains details on how to get designations, assistance and a map of our State Greenways.  https://www.ct.gov/deep/greenways

The Council presented the following five awards and two newly designated State Greenways:

Governor Dannel Malloy, is the recipient of the Government Achievement Award for his active support of CT’s greenway and multi-modal transportation systems including the creation of the CT Department of Transportation’s Lets Go CT and Local Transportation Capitol Improvement programs and the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Recreational Trails Program all of which continue to fund many bike and pedestrian projects statewide.

Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments – is being recognized with the Council’s Regional Achievement Award. Their many achievements to earn this award include: their dedication and support of the Naugatuck River Greenway (NRG) Steering Committee; work with UConn Cooperative Extension and the CT Greenways Council to develop the CT Trail Census Survey (http://cttrailcensus.uconn.edu/), dedicated many hours working on an Economic Impact Study for the NRG, worked with a consultant and the NRG towns to finalize a uniformed signage package; applied, received and is administering a grant for a routing study for the NRG from Torrington to Thomaston.   

Chris Silver, Manchester’s Park and Recreation Director is the recipient of the Municipal Achievement Award. For years he has been a trail user and a quiet advocate of expanding the Manchester-Vernon-Bolton and beyond system of Multi-use trails. He is working with the community to establish a 15 mile tri-town multiuse trail loop which will include the Charter Oak Greenway (part of the East Coast Greenway), the Cheney Rail Trail and the Hop River Trail.

Ginger Tullai – is being awarded the Council’s Unsung Hero Award. Her volunteer services provide representation of the state's equestrian community on state and local levels, educating individuals, groups, and professional organizations of the importance of protecting and preserving trails and open space and its economic and health benefits to the community. Ginger is a member of Connecticut Equine Advisory Council representing equestrians in the Second Congressional District. She has been a member of the Connecticut Horse Council (CHC) since 2006 and serves on the CHC Volunteer Horse Patrol as the Coordinator for two very large DEEP State Park Units -- Gillette Castle and Salmon River. Ginger was instrumental in establishing The Friends of Machimoodus/Sunrise Resort State Parks and serves as Vice-president for the group. She is a member of the Connecticut Farm Bureau and several horse organizations. Over the course of the last 10 years, she served as secretary and vice president of the Greener Pastures Rescue in Salem.
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Ann Moses is being awarded the Council’s Volunteer Achievement Award. Ms. Moses has been involved with a number of land management entities instrumental in ensuring public lands in Northern CT are available for passive recreation, including equine activities. Ann is a supporting member and active maintenance volunteer for the Northern CT Land Trust (NCLT) which manages 32 properties including over 1400 acres. She has been an active member of the Reddington Rock Riding Club in Stafford CT since 2010. She serves her community as The Chairman of Somers Open Space and Trails Committee, which has responsibility for creating and maintaining multi-use trails on town owned open space. Working with this committee, she was able to secure funding from the Connecticut Recreational Trails Program for a grant to build two equine safe bridges that will interconnect the Shenipsit State forest with a key NCLT property greatly expanding the network of multi-use trails available in Northern CT. Finally, Ann serves as the Connecticut Horse Council Volunteer Horse Patrol regional coordinator for the Shenipsit area. She recently was awarded her 5th year of service pin and has been recognized for her number of patrol hours several times by the CHC VHP.
           

Crosstown Trail, South Windsor - will be approx. 6.2 miles in length, and will allow safe south to north travel across the Town. The south entrance will also allow access to the Charter Oak Greenway in Manchester. This trail, when established, will provide safe off-road routes for commuters, walkers, bicycle tourists and individuals who use wheelchairs. While traversing the town the trail will pass through Wapping Park, the South Windsor Land Conservation Trust, Nevers Park and the South Windsor Wildlife Sanctuary before exiting into the farming community of East Windsor. The Crosstown Trail will allow residents, both from South Windsor and surrounding towns, the freedom of exploring and enjoying this rural section of Connecticut.

New Milford River Trail Greenway - The primary purpose of the greenway is to provide recreational opportunities in the form of a 13 mile long trail following the Housatonic and the Still Rivers. Additional benefits of the greenway include: economic benefits to the Town and region through tourism and events surrounding the River Trail, especially to the Historic New Milford Village Center located adjacent to the proposed Greenway; educational opportunities related to the river and connect historic sites along the way, such as the Historic Boardman Bridge; connections to Town and State Parks such as Sega Meadows Park, the Young's Field Ballfields and the Young's Field River Walk Trail, Hidden Treasure Park, Lover's Leap State Park, Harrybrooke Park and the Boardman Road Ballfields as well as the regional Housatonic Riverbelt and Still River Greenways.