Guilford Residents Debate Over Shoreline Greenway Trail

GUILFORD, CT — The Board of Selectmen are continuing to debate whether or not to construct a .7-mile Shoreline Greenway Trail along Route 1. This proposal is creating a lot of controversy among Guilford residents for a variety of reasons, and caused for a large crowd at the public hearing Tuesday night, News 8 reported.

The trail would be part of a 25-mile path that starts at Lighthouse Point in New Haven, runs through East Haven, Branford, Guilford, and then to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. The project would be entirely paid for by state and federal grants.

Supporters of the trail believe it will boost property value of the homes that would border the trail's path. They also enjoy the idea of being able to walk, run and bike on the trail to Guilford's center harbor and fairgrounds.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition supporting the trail — including 776 Guilford residents — said Peter Hawes, a member of the Shoreline Greenway Trail organization, New Haven Register reports.

On the contrary, a number of residents disapprove of the plan for various reasons, including: the construction of the trail will destroy historic property and landmark trees, and taxpayers will have to pay maintenance costs.

Guilford resident Patricia Klindienst collected signatures for a petition opposing the construction until the town presents a publicly available plan, a map of the proposed route, and estimates for maintenance costs and a bidding budget, according to New Haven Register.

Klindienst presented the petition during a Sept. 19 Board of Selectmen public hearing, and it now has over 500 signatures from Guilford residents.

The town hopes to come to a final decision in the next few weeks, according to News 8.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Written by Cameron Luttrell (Patch Staff)

(Editor's Note: This story first ran previously but here it is again in case you missed it.)