GOVERNOR ROWLAND HONORS
GREENWAYS AWARD RECIPIENTS

Eleven Award Recipients for 2003

Governor John G. Rowland and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Commissioner David K. Leff, today honored eleven Greenways Award recipients at a ceremony at Veterans' Memorial Greenway, Willimantic, on behalf of the Connecticut Greenways Council. The 2003 Greenways Recognition Awards honors those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion, development, and enhancement of linear open spaces in Connecticut.

"Greenways enrich our lives by providing access to our rivers and forests, linking open space parcels, enhancing our appreciation of the environment, and increasing recreational opportunities," said Governor John G. Rowland. "As we stand here today at Veterans' Memorial Greenway, we see the uniqueness of this major hub in a system of almost 100 miles of multi-use trails connecting Hartford to Providence and beyond. Today, we honor those individuals and organizations for their vision and commitment to greenways throughout Connecticut."

"The eleven recipients of today’s Greenways Recognition Awards exemplify individuals and groups who work hard to protect Connecticut’s natural resources while providing safe recreational opportunities for communities and the region," said Deputy Commissioner Leff. "Without the tireless efforts of so many volunteers, the preservation of these corridors of open space would not be possible."

The 2003 Greenways Awards were presented to individuals and groups who promote Greenways in their communities, throughout Connecticut and beyond to Greenways that link to major regional systems. Among the eleven recipients today, the award winners participated in a variety of activities including promoting acquisition of open space to add to exiting greenways and trails, initiating greenway development efforts, designing and planning multi-use trails for communities, building and maintaining trails and bridges, and creating partnerships to link one greenway to another.

Recipients include (See Attached List for Detailed Descriptions): U.S. Congressman Rob Simmons (Special Recognition); Connecticut State Senator Andrew Roraback and Connecticut State Representative Mary Mushinsky (Legislators); Steve Merchant, Connecticut DEP (Government); Town of Windham (Municipality); Willimantic River Alliance (Non-profit); Tom Galeota (Transportation); Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust, Inc. (Land Trust); Dr. Charlie Chatterton, Eastern Connecticut State University (Education); Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (Planning); and Green Valley Brush Brigade, Green Valley Institute (Volunteer).

"On the national level, Connecticut is proud to recognize Congressman Rob Simmons, who has been a long time supporter of greenways projects throughout Connecticut. In particular, Congressman Simmons is playing a pivotal role in the development of the Route 11 Greenway," said Governor Rowland. "All of our award winners have demonstrated a firm commitment to greenway initiatives. Their continued support of such initiatives strengthens our resource protection efforts and enhances recreational opportunities statewide that both residents and visitors alike can enjoy today and into the future."

In addition to the awards, the Governor officially opened the Veterans' Memorial Greenway, an important hub in a 100-mile trail system linking Hartford to Providence and beyond. The Greenways Council recognized eight corridors and trails as greenways based on their regional nature, local support, and the potential for further linkages around the state. The newly designated Greenways are located in Newtown, Milford, New London, Farmington, Newington, Norwalk, in the Quinnipiac River watershed and in towns along the Willimantic River which include Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Lebanon, Mansfield, Stafford, Tolland, Willington and Windham.

The Connecticut Greenways Council was formed to promote the development of linear open spaces around the state. Since 2001, the Council has designated over 1000 miles of trails and thousands of acres of land as Official State Greenways. These areas protect natural resources, provide pathways for non-motorized transportation, preserve scenic and cultural resources, and link existing open spaces. Each year the Greenways Council selects individuals, organizations, and government entities that have made a significant contribution in Connecticut.

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2003 Greenway Award Winners

Special Recognition – Congressman Rob Simmons

Congressman Simmons has been a strong supporter of greenway projects in Eastern Connecticut, including sponsoring the bill to study Wild and Scenic River Designation for the Eight Mile River, and providing funding to purchase land for the Route 11 Greenway. In addition, he has been a champion of the Quinebaug-Shetucket Rivers National Heritage Corridor, enabling that organization to continue working to develop greenways in the region.

 Legislators – Senator Andrew Roraback (30^th District) and Representative Mary Mushinsky (85^th District)

Senator Andrew Roraback has been a tireless supporter of open space acquisition and protection in Northwestern Connecticut, endorsing the efforts of land trusts and municipalities to purchase properties to add to greenways. In addition he has consistently worked to ensure the integrity of the Appalachian Trail, an important national recreational asset.

Representative Mary Mushinsky has been a champion of environmental issues since the late 1970s, first as a citizen activist and later as a state legislator. Her unwavering commitment to clean water and air, ridgeline protection, and open space have resulted in many laws which protect the quality of life for Connecticut’s citizens.

 Government – Steve Merchant, CT DEP

As the Eastern Supervisor for the DEP Support Service Division, Steve Merchant of Griswold has had the responsibility for State Park trail construction and maintenance. Working with groups as diverse as the National Guard, the Coast Guard Academy, municipalities, and non-profit groups, Steve helped guide the development of the Air Line, Hop River, and Moosup Valley State Park Trails. In addition, he is always available to advise others on construction techniques to ensure the best public recreation facilities at the best price.

Municipality – Town of Windham

The Town of Windham has shown a long-term effort to fully develop trails and greenways that are not only local assets, but that are also links in major regional systems. In particular, the work on the Air Line State Park Trail and the Willimantic River Greenway are projects that put Windham on the map as a major greenway hub in the state.

Beginning over a year ago, the Willimantic River Alliance began work on a greenway vision for the watershed. Members worked with municipal officials in nine towns to create the framework for a corridor providing trails, canoe and kayak access, and natural resource protection along the river. The result is a nomination for official greenway designation supported by all nine towns and many other organizations in the region.

 Transportation – Tom Galeota

Tom Galeota of Fuss and O’Neill, Inc. in Manchester has been instrumental in helping many communities plan, design, and build multi-use trails. Often working on his own time, Tom worked with towns to ensure that they met the criteria required for TEA grants administered through ConnDOT.

Land Trust – Joshua’s Tract Conservation and Historic Trust, Inc. (Eastern CT)

Joshua’s Tract, a regional land trust from Mansfield and Windham, protecting over 2000 acres in the greater Windham region, has been a leader in the purchase of open space for resource protection and passive recreation. With over 50 miles of trails available for public use on Trust property, the group published a walk book to better inform the public about hiking opportunities.

Education – Dr. Charlie Chatterton, Eastern CT State University

Since becoming acquainted with the Greenways program a few years ago, Dr. Chatterton of Vernon, has been promoting the message that trails help make healthy communities. Pointing to the models of Europe and elsewhere, he has advocated both locally and around New England to encourage the development of safe places for walking and biking in cities and towns.

 Planning – Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency

The Central Connecticut RPA has undertaken a comprehensive inventory of trails and sidewalks in its region in order to support bicycle and pedestrian transportation opportunities. This information is being processed in a digital format, allowing it to be incorporated into State trail data bases. This planning effort will also lead to better linkages between trails to provide an interconnected trail network.

 Volunteer - Green Valley Brush Brigade

The Brush Brigade is a trail maintenance "swat team" coordinated by Ruth Cutler for the Green Valley Institute in Eastern Connecticut. In the past year, the group has put in almost 400 hours building trails and bridges and removing invasive species to enhance recreational opportunities in the region.