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GREENWAYS 
What are Greenways?
- Greenways are linear open spaces, which can:
- Provide corridors for the migration of birds and
wildlife;
- Become trails for non-motorized transportation or
recreation, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding or
roller blading;
- Buffer rivers, streams, ridgelines, and other natural
features;
- Protect scenic vistas or preserve cultural and
historic resources;
- Connect existing areas of open land or recreational
trails from town to town or state to state.
Greenways are corridors of protected land that link
outdoor parks and open spaces; often following streams,
ridges, or abandoned railroad lines. They can offer
transportation alternatives between residential, employment
and shopping centers. They expand opportunities for
the non-motorized recreational pursuits in all seasons:
hiking, skiing, canoeing, biking and horseback
riding. A Greenway might be a path surrounded by
a narrow band of natural vegetation to buffer the sights and
sounds of the city, a bike path or a preserve protecting a
wildlife migration route. Greenways soften urban and
suburban landscapes that protect water quality, improve the
quality of life and enhance property values. They can
also provide business opportunities and improve the overall
appeal of a community to prospective tourists and new
residents.
There are many Greenways in Connecticut already.
The ones listed below have a stone dust or gravel
surface:
The Larkin State Bridle Trail (14.5 miles) in
Southbury, Oxford & Middlebury
Airline Trail State Park Trail - South (22.5 miles) in
Colchester, E. Hampton, Hebron & Lebanon
Airline Trail State Park Trail -North (35.6 miles)
Windham, Chaplin, Hampton, Pomfret, Putnam
Hop River State Park Trail (19.3 miles) in Bolton,
Coventry, Andover & Columbia
Moosup Valley State Park Trail (9 miles) in Sterling
and Plainfield
Many more such projects are currently being planned or
developed. A vision of the East Coast Greenway, which
will run along the coastline from Maine to Florida, some
2,300 miles, is coming into place.
The Connecticut Greenways Council
The Connecticut Greenways Council's mission is to advise
and assist in the implementation of Greenways throughout
Connecticut. The Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP), in conjunction with the Greenways Council,
is promoting development of a statewide Greenways
system. The DEP and the Council are cooperating in
provision of technical assistance on Greenways, will be
directing attention to development of priority projects and
will work together to enhance public understanding of
Greenways. The DEP has established a Greenway
Assistance Center to support the Greenway initiatives of
public and private organizations and those of
individuals. Those desiring more information or would
be interested in sharing their expertise, are invited to
contact the center.
Diane Ciano, of the CT Horse Council has been appointed
to the Connecticut Greenways Council by Governor John
Rowland and State legislators.
The Greenways Council was established by the Greenways
Act of 1995 - Public Act 95-335.
Each year the Connecticut Greenways Council recognizes
individuals, municipalities, state or federal government,
and other organizations that have made a significant
contribution to the promotion, protection, and enhancement
of Greenways around the state. The following CT Horse
Council members have received the Council's Recognition
awards:
1999 - Jan Collins Somers
Jan Collins has been actively involved in trail
preservation for over 10 years. As an enthusiastic
equestrian, hiker, and cross-country skier, she became
concerned in the late 80's that several of her local trails
were being lost to land development. In response, she
organized the Somers Trail Council with the purpose of
informing and educating town officials about trail loss and
advocating regulations to preserve remaining trail
systems. As spokesperson for the organization, Jan
gave presentations to town commissions and local groups
highlighting the threat to the trail system. As a
result, the Planning Commission voted to recognize the
trails in the town's Master Plan and to include protection
of the trails under the Open Space requirements of the
subdivision regulations. Currently Jan is a member of
the Trails/Open Space Subcommittee of the Somers Planning
Commission, which well seek grants for the purchases and
easements of land to permanently protect trails. She
is also involved in an effort to accurately locate trials in
northern Connecticut and Southern Massachusetts on
topographical maps using global positioning system
technology.
2000 -"Unsung Hero" (Volunteer recognition) Bunny
Joseph
Bunny Joseph of Colchester has been an active member of
the Connecticut Horse Council since moving from Pennsylvania
in 1992. She volunteers for the Horse Council's Trails
Committee and actively promotes Greenway projects, including
providing testimony at legislative hearings concerning
Greenways. She has worked to increase the Council's informal
library by collecting information from various states on the
construction and management of multi-use trails and
Greenways. This information is then shared with others
around Connecticut. Bunny has also written articles on
"Share the Trail" etiquette for several publications.
Close to home, Bunny helped to organize a clean-up and
promotional events on the Airline State Park Trail in
Colchester. She and her appaloosa Billy are featured
sharing the trail in the Greenway License Plate
brochure.
The picture above is of Bunny Joseph with her horse Bill,
on the Airline South State Park Trail in Colchester.
This picture is featured on the CT GREENWAYS License Plate
Brochure, distributed by the Department of Motor Vehicles
& the CT GREENWAYS Council.
The Connecticut Greenways License Plate
Connecticut residents now have the chance to help
Connecticut's environment with the purchase of the
Connecticut Greenways license plate. Thirty-five
dollars (fifty for special order plates) of a one time
charge from each sale will be deposited into a special fund
at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) to help develop Greenways around the state. Each
year, the DEP will award small grants of up to $5,000
dollars to municipalities, regional planning organizations,
and non-profit groups for Greenway projects. Eligible
activities will include planning and design work, placement
of signs, informational and educational materials, and other
non-construction activities. The Greenways plate can
be viewed as an inland alternative to the Long Island Sound
plate, because all towns and non-profit groups will be
eligible to apply for these grants (whereas the Long Island
Sound program is only available for projects that involve
the Sound.)
Some day you may be able to hop on your bike or horse and
ride across the state border and beyond. Or paddle in
a canoe on long stretches of the Housatonic and Connecticut
Rivers enjoying unbroken scenic vistas. You will have
safe and beautiful places for family excursions or quiet
spots for getting back to nature. Find out what is
happening in your city or town. Get involved! It
has been said that Greenways connect the places we live with
the places we love. Make that connection. Buy a
Connecticut Greenways license plate today!
For more information, contact the DEP Greenways
Assistance Center at (860) 424-3578 or the Department of
Motor Vehicles at (800) 842-8222. or http://dmvct.org
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