Connecticut Greenways Council to Hold 27th Annual Greenway Awards June 5th, Kicking Off Connecticut Trails Day Events

Connecticut Trails Day June 6 – Statewide Events Occurring All weekend

(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Greenways Council (CGC) will host its 27^th Annual Connecticut Greenway Awards at Charter Oak Park in Manchester on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Awards will be presented to six individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the promotion, development, and enhancement of greenways in Connecticut. Members of the media are welcome to cover this event. The event will be held, per tradition, on the Friday before Connecticut Trails Day, which occurs this year on the weekend of June 6 and 7, 2026.

What’s a Greenway?

A greenway is a linear, shared-use path designed to connect people with nature, recreation, transportation, and historic resources. Greenways may protect natural areas such as river corridors, preserve scenic landscapes like ridgelines, or highlight historic features including former barge canals. They can provide opportunities for recreation and nonmotorized transportation through paved or unpaved trail systems, while also linking existing protected open spaces and improving access to the outdoors. Greenways may follow natural features such as waterways, greenspaces along highways or around villages, or man-made corridors including unused rights-of-way, traditional trail routes, and historic canal paths. The Connecticut Greenways Council webpage contains details on how to propose designations, get assistance, and view a map of our State Greenways.

“Connecticut’s trails and greenways provide far-reaching benefits for communities across our state, protecting natural resources, expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism, supporting public health and wellness, creating greener transportation options, and connecting people with nature and one another,” said Katie Dykes, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “We proudly celebrate this year’s Greenway Award honorees for their leadership and dedication to expanding, maintaining, and promoting Connecticut’s outstanding trail and greenway network.”

Anyone interested in supporting Connecticut greenways can purchase a Connecticut Greenways license plate. These plates raise the public awareness of the importance of our greenways and provide funding for state and local efforts to preserve, restore, and protect our greenways.

“The Connecticut Greenways Council and this year’s award recipients exemplify the partnerships, volunteerism, and long-term stewardship that make these spaces possible and ensure they remain accessible and vibrant for future generations.” said Brian Wilson, Director of Connecticut State Parks.

This Year’s Greenways Awardees:

Garrett Eucalitto – Since taking office at the Department of Transportation in 2023, Commissioner Eucalitto has advanced a transformative vision for transportation in Connecticut that strengthens connections between communities, greenways, parks, and natural resources. Under his direction, the Department implemented the Complete Streets Engineering Directive, the most significant advancement in roadway design since the adoption of the Complete Streets Policy in 2009, and the creation of the Active Transportation Unit. Commissioner Eucalitto has shown continuous support for grant programs that reinforce design, construction of active transportation, as well as microgrants that enable school systems and non-profits to educate and provide materials for safe access to transportation.

Lois Bruinooge – Lois served as The Last Green Valley’s Deputy Director from 2006 to 2014 and from 2014 on has served as the Executive Director of the organization. Lois is recognized for her extraordinary leadership, vision, and lifelong commitment to conservation and community engagement throughout The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Lois was appointed by the Governor to the Connecticut Greenways Council on February 1, 2008, and served on the council for seventeen years. Lois has championed public access to trails and waterways, expanded recreation and environmental education programs, advanced trail assessment and accessibility initiatives, and helped create nearly 90 miles of the National Recreation Water Trail through the nationally recognized Source to Sea program. Her leadership also helped secure millions of dollars in conservation and trail funding, expand regional outdoor programming, and inspire greater stewardship of Connecticut’s natural and cultural resources.

Dave Buckley – Dave Buckley has served the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Division of State Parks and Public Outreach for over 45 years. He has led the Salmon River State Forest and Park Unit as Recreational Unit Supervisor for over 15 years, overseeing the Hop River State Park Trail and southern section of Air Line State Park Trail, Hurd State Park, Day Pond State Park, Meshomasic State Forest, Nathan Hale State Forest, and Salmon River State Forest. Dave has led the operations, trail improvements, maintenance, and coordination with all the municipalities and organizations along these trails, state parks, and forests, and has served as a trail management expert and technical resource within the agency. The CT Greenways Council would like to recognize the career long dedication and service of Dave Buckley as he retires from CT DEEP, and express their highest level of appreciation.

Norm Berg – Norm is a proactive volunteer who collects and coordinates descriptive information for points of interest, infrastructure, accessibility, amenities, and parking lot conditions, while coordinating with us to get the best information onto CT Trail Finder so trail users know what to expect. Norm serves as the Secretary of the Farmington Valley Trails Council (FVTC) and is a key member of the Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association. Norm is ever present at all the CT Greenway Council monthly meetings, events and trail symposiums and always willing to lend support and recommendations.

Joe Merritt – Joe Merritt has been a key leader and advocate in Bloomfield trail development and greenway planning for over two decades, having personally surveyed potential routes of the East Coast Greenway as early as 2005. As a longtime member of the Town Council and Chair of the Bloomfield Trails Committee, Joe’s vision, persistence, and commitment to expanding safe, accessible multi-use trails have helped shape Bloomfield’s greenway network and inspired regional collaboration. In recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication to trail connectivity, the Bloomfield Trails Committee and Conservation Commission received the 2015 Connecticut Greenways Council Municipal Award and continues to advocate for greenway expansion and community recreation as an active Town Council member and trails champion.

Willimantic Whitewater Partnership (WWP) – The Willimantic Whitewater Partnership (WWP) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that was founded in 2002 by environmentalists, whitewater kayakers, and community advocates. The organization reclaimed a long-neglected industrial brownfield along the Willimantic River and led its transformation into a vibrant riverfront park, trail hub, and recreational destination linking the Air Line State Park Trail, Hop River Trail, and the East Coast Greenway. Through persistent collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, the organization advanced environmental remediation, expanded public river access, promoted active transportation, and championed restoration of migratory fish habitat along the Willimantic River. Their work has helped reconnect communities to the river, stimulate downtown revitalization, and establish Willimantic as a gateway for outdoor recreation, cycling, paddling, environmental education, and cultural tourism.

Connecticut Trails Day

The Greenway Awards also mark the unofficial kick-off to National Trails Day, known locally as “Connecticut Trails Day,” a two-day event that occurs the first weekend of June every year to promote Connecticut’s diverse trail offerings. This year, over 200 Connecticut Trails Day events will occur June 6-7, 2026. Connecticut hosts more Trails Day events than any state in the nation. Please visit the Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s Trails Day webpage to find a hike, bicycle ride, paddle, or trail maintenance event happening in your area.

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