Section of Vernon Trail System Gets A Makeover

VERNON, CT — Mayor Daniel Champagne said Tuesday that a section of the town's expansive trail system has been returned to its "natural beauty," thanks to a public-private partnership formed between the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department, Integrated Rehabilitation Services of Vernon and the Vernon Greenways Volunteers.

On April 30, nine employees from Integrated Rehabilitation Services, two maintainers from the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department, and a Greenways Volunteer removed "numerous truckloads of debris" from an area of the trail system located off West Street.

The clean-up efforts were spearheaded by Mike Bidwell of Integrated Rehabilitation Services, who contacted the Vernon Greenways Volunteers to lend their support for "community service projects that benefit Vernon," the mayor said.

"The Town is grateful for community partnerships like the one formed with Integrated Rehabilitation Services and the Vernon Greenways Volunteers,” Champagne added. "We sincerely thank Mr. Bidwell and the team from Integrated Rehabilitation Services and Mr. Bellingham of Vernon Greenways Volunteers for their commitment to trail stewardship, and their support in keeping our trails systems in pristine condition."

"The idea for the trail project came about through a relationship formed with Bidwell during physical therapy sessions, according to Don Bellingham of Vernon Greenways Volunteers.

"Mike expressed a desire to coordinate a half-day public service project on the trails, so the clean-up of the West Street area seemed a natural fit," he said.

Said Vernon Parks and Recreation Director marty Sitler, "This effort was made possible because of the tremendous cooperation demonstrated by three organizations that care deeply about our trails,” said Marty Sitler, Director of Vernon Parks and Recreation. The Parks and Recreation Department is happy to coordinate more projects like this with any group or business that wants to get involved."

The Vernon trail system is comprised of more than 40 miles of pathways open to the public.

For further information on volunteering for trail stewardship, call 860-870-3520 or
e-mail parksandrec@vernon-ct.gov.

Additional information on Vernon Greenways Volunteers can be found by visiting www.vernongreenways.org.