The Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) will be hosting an official opening of a new section of the east-side “Wilton Loop” on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m..
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on the new trail. Participants will gather at the commuter Park & Ride just north of Orem’s Diner on Rte. 7 in Wilton (near the junction with Rte. 106, Wolfpit Rd). Parking is available at the same location. Participants will then walk together to the ribbon-cutting site along 0.5 miles of level and gently climbing trail.
The public is cordially invited to attend. Prior to cutting the ribbon, there will be brief remarks from trail sponsors, users, and town officials. The NRVT Steering Committee also will announce the winner of its Facebook Photo Contest.
The new section of trail runs 0.6 miles from Raymond Ln. to Sharp Hill Rd., and extends the 0.5-mile “demo trail” from Rte. 7 to Raymond Ln. that was opened on April 26, 2014. At the Raymond Ln. end of the new trail, there is a 30-foot bridge over an intermittent brook. The trail was designed and built by Vermont-based Timber and Stone LLC to fit the land’s natural contours and features.
The new trail was made possible by generous donations from the community, notably the challenge grant received from Cliff and Norma Fox, who will be in attendance on Oct. 18 to kick off the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
It has also received support from local businesses, most recently from Cannondale Sports Unlimited. The company, headquarters in Wilton, on Wednesday, Oct. 15, sent a crew of 14 employee volunteers who cleared vines and fallen debris for the first quarter mile of the trail. They also planted hundreds of daffodil bulbs along the trail. According to Patricia Sesto, chair of the NRVT, the timing of the clean up was great as it helped in the prep work for Saturday’s opening.
The NRVT plans next to extend the east-side loop up to Pimpewaug Rd., the Wilton Family Y, and Cannondale Village, meeting an expanded west-side loop at Allen’s Meadows. Continued progress toward this objective hinges upon the involvement of the community. An estimated $1.6m is needed to complete the east-side loop.
The NRVT’s vision is to build 38 miles of multi-purpose trail connecting Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, and Rogers Park in Danbury, passing through Wilton, Ridgefield, and Redding on the way. In addition to creating recreational opportunities for walkers, hikers, cyclists, kids, pets and –on some stretches — equestrians, the NRVT will offer a green and healthy transportation alternative to reach rail stations, schools, offices, and businesses.
For those interested in contributing to the NRVT, tax-deductible contributions may be sent to “The Friends of the NRVT,” P.O. Box 174, Georgetown, CT 06829, or made via the Donate button on the NRVT website. For general information about the NRVT, please visit the website, or contact Patricia Sesto, Chairman of the NRVT project, at info@nrvt-trail.com and 203.563.0180.