Trails Day celebration scheduled for June 4

ROCKFALL >> For a state small in geography, Connecticut always goes big when it comes to public land use and outdoor recreation. Just ask the folks at the nonprofit, member-based Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), organizers of the annual CT Trails Day celebration, the largest of its kind in the nation. “Protecting public access to the outdoors is what we are all about, and Trails Day is the biggest way we choose to celebrate each year,” stated Eric Hammerling, CFPA Executive Director, “Given the current political climate and what we are at risk of losing, we are rallying everyone in the state to show their support simply by participating in a Trails Day event.”

Showing support by getting outside and having some fun is a relatively easy challenge with over 200 free, guided activities happening in over 130 towns across the state on Saturday June 3 and Sunday June 4.

CT Trails Day events are hosted by volunteer groups and individuals and include hiking, biking, horseback riding, running, trail maintenance, kayaking, educational walks, bird watching, letterboxing, and more for people of all ages and interests. Those who do participate will also be able to receive a free 2017 CT Trails Day commemorative patch, a bonus item that is available to the first 500 respondents. A full listing of all events, organized by town, activity and interest, as well as information on the free patch offer can be found online at www.ctwoodlands.org or in the Connecticut Trails Day booklet available at town/city halls, nature centers, state parks, outdoor retailers, public libraries, and at CFPA’s headquarters located at 16 Meriden Road (Route 66) in the Rockfall section of Middlefield.

“The great beauty of Connecticut’s forests, trails, state parks and other special places is an integral part of our state identity and economy,” added Hammerling, “Our primary goal is to raise awareness and get as many people as possible out on the trails to enjoy and appreciate what we have, and to understand the need for pending legislation to protect public access to state lands as well as other environmental issues. ”

The success of the largescale effort, and in the sheer number and variety of CT Trails Day events, is due to the partnerships between the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) , the Appalachian Mountain Club-CT Chapter, town agencies, land trusts, outdoorsoriented businesses, volunteers, and many dedicated financial sponsors including CT DEEP; Loureiro Engineering Associates; Burns & McDonnell; Eversource; Lynch Toyota; Aetna; Aquarion Water Company; Crosswick Family Foundation; Horst Engineering; ISG Software Group; Laticrete; Reid & Reige, PC; REI Co-op; and Robinson & Cole.