A Trail of Potential

This version reflects a change regarding discussions with Bristol and ESPN that have not yet started.

With Phase II of the town’s rails to trails project complete minus a few minor details, town officials are now thinking outside the box in an effort to acquire funding that would allow for construction on the northern portion of the trail, extending it to the Plainville line.

The Town Council this week authorized Garry Brumback to seek a grant through the federal Transportation, Community and System Prevention program that could provide Southington with $2.66 million for the development of the trail. The money would be used to extend the trail through Phase IV of the project, which includes the portion from Lazy Lane to Townline Road at the Plainville line, as well as creating another branch that would extend to ESPN and into Bristol.

“It was an opportunity that was brought to my attention by Frances Pickering (the senior planner at Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency),” Brumback said.

Councilman Al Natelli, who has served as the chair of the Phase II committee, said the funding would provide “a great opportunity for the community” at little cost to the taxpayers.

The town recently completed , and Phase I has served the town for several years, extending from Plantsville to just beyond Mill Street. Cheshire is currently working on which extends to the Southington line.

Phase III involves the superfund site south of Lazy Lane, which is considered a brownfield site and must be remediated before a trail could run through it.

On a state and federal level, the will eventually extend from New Haven to Northhampton, Mass., uninterrupted. Natelli said efforts are ongoing to extend the rails to trails project across the eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.

“What we are doing here is looking for ways to think outside the box,” Natelli said. “It’s an expensive undertaking and we will need to do a lot of work to find alternative means of funding to complete this trail.”

If the town were to receive the grant, the town would still be responsible for 8.6 percent of the cost for Phase IV, or $230,000, but the town plans to enter discussions with officials in Bristol and at ESPN to try and split the costs with the branch extending to ESPN.

Brumback said the extension is necessary to qualify for the grant, as it would allow residents an alternative to driving as a means of commuting, but if Bristol and ESPN were to agree to splitting the costs, it would leave the town on the hook for just $77,000 of the $2.89 million project. 

In the meantime, residents will have the new section of the linear trail to enjoy opportunities they have not had before.

During a separate motion on Monday, the council chose not to have staff clear the Phase II portion of the trail of any snow during the winter. The decision, which was passed unanimously, will provide winter activity possibilities while reducing the cost for trail maintenance, Natelli and Councilwoman Stephanie Urillo said.

The Phase II portion of the trail will be left snow covered for people to use for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and more, Urillo said. Leaving the trail covered would not cause any damage, officials said, and the Phase I portion would be plowed for people to continue using for walking, biking and rollerblading.

“It’s something that will allow us to reduce costs on maintenance while offering new opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone,” Natelli said.