Western Connecticut Regional Trail Project
Overview
This Western Connecticut Regional Trail Project (WCTP) seeks to connect four shared-use paths, at various stages of completion, located in western Connecticut. The project includes the five critical gaps in the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) which will complete the trail between Norwalk and Danbury; the Maybrook Trail connection to the New York State line in Danbury; connecting the Still River Greenway in Brookfield South to the NRVT and North to the New Milford River Trail; and completing the remaining sections of the New Milford River Trail. Upon completion of this project, stakeholders will have shovel-ready construction documents for all sections of the Trail except for the connection between the Still River Greenway and the NRVT which is the only section that has not been studied to date. This section will conclude following feasibility and preliminary engineering.
This project is a direct result of efforts of the Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail, Still River Greenway Alliance, New Milford River Trail Association, WestCOG and its member municipalities to advance identified priorities from previous trail studies, creating a continuous 55-mile trail system. The project builds on this planning work and represents an unprecedented opportunity to advance projects that are a shared priority across many partners.
The trail will connect urban and rural areas, shorelands and forest, and supports pedestrian and bicycle transportation to parks, schools and community centers. It will also connect to other significant multi-state trails including the East Coast Greenway which connects Maine to Florida, the Western New England Greenway which connects Connecticut to Canada, and New York’s Empire State Trail which connects New York City to Canada. The Trail will serve a great variety of users and citizens: pedestrians, bicyclists, rollers, seniors and citizens with disabilities, and underserved population groups.
Projected Study Schedule
June 2025 – August 2027
Staff Contact
For additional information on the Study, contact Kristin Floberg at kfloberg@westcog.org. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to participate as the study gets underway.