Trail travails

It’s a long and winding road to a new trailway, so give your input now at the start

TORRINGTON — What would you like to find on a path that stretches from Winsted, through Torrington and, with luck, all the way to Derby? Should it be lit? How about plowing it in the winter? Do you want it to feature space for gatherings and events?

Zoning and Wetlands Enforcement Officer Rista Malanca and Torrington Trails Network member Mark Linehan are hoping city residents will share their vision for the trail — how they would use it, what they would like it to feature — as the future course of the Sue Grossman Greenway is planned.

The Sue Grossman trail begins at Lanson Drive and Winsted Road in Winsted, crosses the town line into Torrington, parallel to Route 8, and ends at Harris Drive.

Officials plan to extend it through the city to connect to the Naugatuck River Greenway, which will run from Frank-

lin Street to Bogue Road in Torrington and will eventually connect to Derby.

The route for the Naugatuck River greenway in the city is largely planned, but the Sue Grossman is in its beginning stages — while there are a limited number of possibilities for the pathway, the idea is still fluid.

“What we would like to do, what we feel we should do, and what we feel we need to do is to get some publicity and let residents know, let the city know, that this is being planned,” said Linehan. “We’re looking for their input.”

The potential path along Winsted Road, from the intersection at Kennedy Drive to the one at Newfield Road, is particularly uncertain, Malanca said.

Options include eliminating a sidewalk on one side of the road, installing bike lanes, or asking for easements from property owners.

Other aspects of the trail that could be considered include: the possibility of a gathering space, potentially for yoga or music, and where that would be located; the potential need for lighting; and how people plan to use the trail — for transportation, recreation, or both?

She also wants to consider safety concerns from residents, she said.

“What do people want their trail experience to be? What do they want it to feel like? How do they want to use it?” Malanca said.

Malanca said residents interested in sharing their vision for the pathway or learning more about the project can email her with thoughts — her address is Rista_Malanca@torringtonct.org. Future community meetings are planned during the process, Malanca said.

“Right now is the time where we can easily make changes,” said Malanca. “We don’t want people to hear about it last minute, when we’re already going to construction, and say ‘I wish you’d told me’ or ‘I wish I’d known.’”

Malanca said the trail will have a significant positive impact on the city, pointing to Collinsville as a pertinent local example.

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments estimates that the Naugatuck River Greenway, once completed, will spur $2.9 million in direct spending in 2031 and receive more than 129,000 visits per year.

Final plans for the trails will require approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council, Malanca said.

The timeline for bringing a final plan to governmental boards is uncertain, Malanca said. A traffic study needs to be completed at the five-way intersection in downtown to assure that the flow of vehicles continues smoothly after a pedestrian signal is added.

She estimated that a few options will be developed in two to three months, and hopes that residents will offer their thoughts between now and then, as well as into the future.

Once a route and plan has been developed, the city will need to secure or ascribe funding to allow the project to go forward, Malanca said. The planning of the trails have been grant -funded to date, with consultants tasked with planning the two greenways.

Construction will potentially be done in stages, she said — a piece of the Naugatuck River Greenway running from the John Toro Sports Complex has already been completed.

This has been a longterm project in the city — Linehan estimated the idea has been under consideration for decades. The existing portion of the Sue Grossman Greenway was dedicated in 2009.

The state has placed a focus on such development in recent years, speeding the process, Malanca said.

There is a culture building around trail use, and making it easier to use bikes and walk to get around, Malanca said. The Northwest Peddlers, a city group devoted to bike travel, are holding a free holiday bike ride starting at City Hall on Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. Everyone participating is being asked to dress as Santa Claus for the 7-mile ride.

“I think that this is just the beginning of what we’re going to see for demand for bike and pedestrian amenities throughout the city,” said Malanca. “It’s just the beginning.”