Members of a local nonprofit organization dedicated to open space on Monday will seek approval from the town to build a raised walkway in the woods off of Weed Street in order to complete, after years of advocacy and planning, what they call a “dream greenway” in New Canaan.
Pedestrians using the new “greenway,” if approved by the town, would walk along the eastern side of Weed Street and then onto a trail into the woods. Credit: Michael Dinan
The New Canaan Land Trust’s proposed project—to install four raised walkways over wetlands and a bridge over a brook—is the final piece needed in order to create a walk-able loop that encompasses the downtown, Irwin Park and the Nature Center.
“This has been, since I started on the Land Trust, the Holy Grail, to make this connection,” said Chris Schipper, a board member and former president of the organization.
The Inland Wetlands Commission is scheduled to take up the Land Trust’s application at its regular meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.
The New Canaan Land Trust’s plan for traversing the wetlands for its greenway.
If approved, Schipper said, the project could be completed by spring.
At that point, New Canaanites would be able to walk a loop from downtown New Canaan—say, up Elm to the intersection at Weed Street, then to Irwin Park along the new sidewalk there, then along the “new” walkway, across Land Trust and Nature Center property through the woods, then out to Oenoke Ridge Road and down toward God’s Acre and the heart of the village again.
In order to get to the “new” walkway, pedestrians would emerge from Irwin Park at its northeast corner, cross Weed Street directly—it only needs striping—and then walk past a driveway and about another 75 feet along a stone wall to where a trail would start to run away from Weed Street.
Schipper said the Land Trust would need to wait and see just how much use the new greenway gets.
“It’s not quite ‘Field of Dreams,’ but it’s one of these things where you do it and then you observe how that goes,” Schipper said. “There normally is some interest at first and then it’s steady.”
He added: “A lot of people are walking in town who are looking for a loop, and this may be one of the nicer, longer loops.”
These are the kind of things that will add to the value of living in New Canaan. One of the first things you notice when traveling in the west is most of the small towns have “green belts” “bike paths” “walking trail systems” etc. all built in for the enjoyment of the people who live there. I always thought it would be wonderful to have paths/sidewalks that were linked going along Ponus through town down Main Street/White Oak shade back up to South Ave. along the Merritt and looping back out Ponus. New Canaan is a beautiful small town, and for those of us who like to walk the traffic along places like Ponus Ridge can be intimidating. I think the single most important thing the town could do to secure its place as one of the best places to live near New York, is to do everything possible to encourage and help with plans like The Land Trust proposal.
This is such a wonderful project. I walk every day and this new trail would add to the enjoyment … look how popular Irwin Park has become. I think any additional trails would be most appreciated by the majority. Thank you
GOOD NEWS!!! Inland Wetlands Commission approved the GreenLink application. Thanks to all who made this possible – notably Land Trusters John Engel, John Uhlein, Art Berry, Aaron Lefland and Landscape Architect Dick Bergmann with help from Soil Scientist Otto Theal and RKW Surveyor Frank Walsh. Kathleen Holland guided the process and the site visit by the Commissioners helped clarify the plan. It takes a village.
Congratulations to all involved…. it took a vision and a lot of planning, but this new GreenLink walkway will be a welcome addition to the quality of life here in New Canaan!
Great point Leo. When I wrote “It takes a Village” I was remiss in not mentioning the important financial contribution the New Canaan Community Foundation made towards the GreenLink Walkway project. The Land Trust could not have undertaken this effort without your support!!!