Regional Greenway Study Presented – 12/4/2009

Posted by Bob on December 4, 2009 under Daily Blogs | Read the First Comment

Our ancestors once traveled the Naugatuck Valley on foot along the banks of the mighty river.

Unfortunately the beauty of our Valley before the industrial revolution can now only be viewed through old paintings and works of art.  For over a century, walking along the Naugatuck for any length of distance has been impossible due to the construction of highways, railroad tracks and  urban sprawl.

While there are many challenges to implementation, leaders from Torrington to Derby are all planning for the day when pedestrian and bicycle travel throughout the Naugatuck Valley will be a reality.  The Central Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (”COGCNV”) has engaged ALTA Land Design to develop a comprehensive link between all river-centric greenway efforts in each of our communities.  In conjunction with the Lower Valley Council of Governments and the Litchfield Hills Regional Planning Agency, COGCNV is working to create a master plan to link the entire Valley.

Recently forums were held in various towns, including Naugatuck, to provide information to citizens and answer questions.  Drafts of initial studies of the Naugatuck River Greenway have been completed and can be viewed below:

• Regional Naugatuck River Greenway Routing Technical Memo #1 – Existing Conditions; and
• Regional Naugatuck River Greenway Routing Technical Memo #2 – Challenges and Opportunities.

Locally, Naugatuck has been working on its own greenway for over a year.  The current design, which has been reduced in scope due to available funds versus costs, plans for a circular greenway running parallel to Linden Park, traversing across the Naugatuck at the Whittemore Bridge and heading south along Water Street before reconnecting by the General Puluski footbridge near the Polish-American Club.  While we believe this is only the beginning of an much larger, linear effort, our initial endeavor will provide a path greater than one (1) mile in length that residents will be able to enjoy.  Construction should be complete by the Summer of 2010.

Rediscovering the benefits of the Naugatuck River has been occurring slowly but surely over the past decade.  The greenway, Chamber of Commerce Duck Race and Kayak/Canoe Race are only the beginning of what we hope are numerous river-related events and activities in the years to come.  Greenways not only enhance the overall quality of life, but provide health, environmental and economic development benefits as well.

For more information on how to become involved with Naugatuck’s greenway planning and/or Naugatuck River events, please call (203-720-7009) or email our office (bmezzo@naugatuck-ct.gov or bob@bobmezzo.com).