Planning & Design Funds For Multi-Use Trail Approved By Greenwich RTM

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Representative Town Meeting on Monday night approved an interim funding request of $338,000 for planning and design work, including a feasibility study, on a 2.5-mile Greenwich-Stamford multi-use trail from Binney Park up to Boccuzzi Park.

The funds were combined with another agenda item — an agreement between Greenwich and the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT-DEEP) to receive grant funding for the planning and design of the trail.

The vote on the combined items was 107 in favor, 78 opposed and one abstention.

Up to 80 percent of the $338,000 — or $270,400 — will be reimbursed through a grant from the state's Recreational Trails Program.

The remaining money — $67,600 — would be split between Greenwich and Stamford based on the portion of the route in each municipality, according to documents submitted as part of the RTM call.

The estimated cost for Greenwich would be approximately $49,500 since the town would hold 1.9 miles of the trail. Stamford would contribute $18,200. The trail itself is estimated to cost $4 million.

A number of routes will be explored including Shore Road to Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich.

During RTM committee reports on Monday night, several RTM committee chairs shared concerns that came up in recent weeks from members about the project — mainly related to the possible location of the trail and the fact that the project is not part of the town's Capital Improvement Process, or CIP.

"Some members were concerned that the chosen endpoint at Boccuzzi Park may have too much crime given that someone was murdered there earlier this year," said RTM Finance Chair Brooks Harris. "[Greenwich Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Jim Michel] reminded us that the final path was subject to review and could be quite different. The ultimate end-point could potentially be a location that had no murders at all."

Outgoing RTM Budget Overview Committee Chair Lucia Jansen said there was "deep concern" about the lack of community involvement for the project, and the impact to projects in the CIP.

"This $4 million project could and will be prioritized, and other projects that had been in line, that had been vetted, that have been prioritized are now going to be potentially postponed," Jansen said.

Jansen also said there were concerns about the size of sidewalks in the area in Old Greenwich, narrow streets with obstacles including stonewalls, trees and Belgian block driveways, and a possibility of eminent domain being invoked.

Jansen noted that the Board of Estimate and Taxation imposed a condition on the $338,000 that requires DPW to hold a public hearing for the specific Shore Road/Sound Beach Avenue route.

A number of people spoke in favor of approving the funds for the feasibility study.

Vin DiMarco, a member of the Active Transportation Task Force (ATTF) which helped spearhead the idea for the trail, said the RTM was technically voting to approve just $24,500 since that's all that can be spent based on the BET's condition.

Bob DeAngelo, another member of the ATTF, urged the RTM to vote "yes." An avid bicyclist, DeAngelo said bicycling offers a sense of independence and sheer fun. He said there are more cars on the road and more distracted drivers, and the town must play a role in creating safe transportation for all users.

"This trail grant feasibility study is a fantastic catalyst opportunity not just for Old Greenwich but for all the residents here to work together and come up with some measures to make things safer here," he said. "Last week at one of the RTM meetings a member asked the question, 'What do we really get from this?' I answered her question: a safer Greenwich for all users, a healthier Greenwich, a smarter Greenwich and an economically vibrant Greenwich."

State Rep. Rachel Khanna (D-149) spoke as a resident and said increasing opportunities for people to safely travel short distances without having to use a car is important.

"This is also about meeting our clean energy and zero carbon goals, and doing so in a fun way. As a biker, runner and hiker, I'm so excited that I and other residents of Greenwich will have more opportunities to be outdoors through this initiative," she said.

Greenwich DPW anticipates the planning and design phase for the path to last approximately 12 to 18 months, taking place throughout 2024 and finishing in the first half of 2025, RTM documents state.

Gov. Ned Lamont came to Greenwich this past May to highlight the grant money for the project. He was joined by First Selectman Fred Camillo, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and other elected officials.

The grant money was part of an overall $9 million package to plan, build, expand and improve a total of 50 multi-use trails across Connecticut.

For more information, check out the webpage for the trail project.