Forum To Look At Gaps In Massive Hiking/Biking Trail In Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT —For hikers and bikers in the eastern half of the United States, the East Coast Greenway is the Interstate 95 of their passive recreation dreams.

The hiking and biking trail traverses 15 states over 450 cities/towns and is 3,000 miles, stretching from Maine to Florida.

But while much of the trail is legitimate, much of it is conceptual, creating so-called "gaps" in the trail bikeway/walkway. This forces hikers and bikers onto roadways, not exactly the desired scenario.

In Simsbury — as well as in nearby Bloomfield, Hartford and East Hartford — there exists significant "gaps" in the trail and the Capitol Region Council of Governments Thursday is hosting a special information forum to address the issue.

CRCOG is hosting the information session from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tarriffville Elementary School, 42 Winthrop St., in the Tarriffville section of Simsbury.

There, interested members of the community will be able to ask questions about CRCOG's "Capitol Region East Coast Greenway Study," especially as it relates to Simsbury.

Other similar events are slated in East Hartford April 11, Hartford April 18 and Bloomfield April 26.

East Hartford's forum is Tuesday, April 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. (open house with presentations at 4:30 and 6 p.m.) at the Raymond Public Library, 840 Main St., East Hartford.Hart

Hartford's event is Tuesday, April 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. (open house with presentations at 4:30 and 6 p.m.) at the Keney Park Pond House, 132 Edgewood St., Hartford.

Bloomfield's greenway forum is Wednesday, April 26, (open house with presentations at 4:30 and 6 p.m.) at the Alvin and Beatrice Wood Human Services Center, 330 Park Ave., Bloomfield.

This initiative is looking to find ways to close these gaps and create a more inclusive, biking and hiking trail in those four area towns.

"The study will examine potential routes and conclude with the selection of a final alternative for all remaining gaps," CRCOG wrote.

According to CRCOG officials, the organization will analyze several factors to finding places to connect the trail.

Those include: environmental impacts; property ownership; water bodies; construction; trail aesthetics; usability and safety; and other factors.

For more information on Simsbury's greenway forum, click on this link.

For more information on the CRCOG Capitol Region East Coast Greenway study, click on this link.

For more information on the East Coast Greenway in Connecticut, click on this link.