Curtiss Brook Work Party

 

Digging in the south end

We had 34 people at the Sunday work party to start clearing the new Curtiss Brook Connector (that's the working name of the trail, not sure what it will be called officially), many of them high school students. We now have a 'rough draft' of a trail. It still needs more work, but it can be followed. 

Much of the work was picking up decades of litter, including about 25 bags of litter, a pool ladder, car parts, wire, old garbage cans, and other assorted materials (these were hauled away the next day by the Highways & Bridges Department). 

Some of the crew before they got dirty

The other big task for the day was digging the trail into the side of the hill. The north and south end each needed lots of digging, while the center section was in mostly good shape. The south end (near Pine Lake) was harder digging and steeper, but had less garbage. 

Mark Vollaro, Ray Hansen, and Teresa Gallagher had done some preliminary work before the work party, including chainsawing and raking out the tread. Terry Gallagher put together a big list of all the equipment that would be needed and staked out a section of parking lot ahead of time. This allowed the volunteers to get right to work. 

Digging in the south end, looking towards
Pine Lake

The center section didn't need much work

The north end

The north end (towards downtown Shelton) was at the base of a stone retaining wall holding up the state highway, and it was impossible to dig without hitting layers of old cans, bottle, asphalt, wire, etc. Aiden Zitnay managed to finally pull out a big coil of wire that was buried in the trail, and then found an old horse shoe. This section looks like it might be part of the old Shelton Turnpike from the 1800s, so that was pretty cool. 

Aiden managed to pull a 
big coil of wire out of the ground

The other issue with the north end was all the landscaping debris the homeowners across the street have been dumping over the wall. 

The north end starts at the base of the Rt 108 
retaining wall. 

The crew pulled out about 25 bags of litter, car parts,
a pool ladder, garbage cans, and other stuff

The last of the crew

There is still more litter in there, especially down in the brook and up the opposite side, if anyone is looking for a challenge. And there is more digging to do. But it's getting there! 

Curtiss Brook Connector to be Constructed

A narrow part of Shelton Ave, with the Pine Lake parking
area up ahead. A new trail will provide an alternative to the roadwalk.

One of our long-term goals for the Rec Path was to promote better linkage between the trail and surrounding community, especially with downtown Shelton and by extension the River Walk and Derby Greenway. When the Rec Path first opened, we were happy to see SHS students using it to walk home from school. But sad to see that when the students reached the end of the trail at Pine Lake, they had to walk along the edge of Shelton Avenue, a state highway. 

[Help needed for our Curtiss Brook Connector work party scheduled for Sunday 4/13 at 1:00 pm. More details on our Work Parties page]

There is one stretch of the highway that is especially narrow due to a guardrail and old retaining wall that drops down along the Curtiss Brook ravine. The highway is so narrow that traffic sometimes has to come to a stop if there are pedestrians.  Several years ago, the City had DOT representatives take a look at that stretch of highway to assess pedestrian safety.  The DOT suggested a cantilevered walkway (although it's a state highway, the City is apparently responsible for sidewalks). This doesn't seem very likely to happen.

The same area at the bottom of the old retaining wall

The Trails Committee did notice, however, that the ravine below the retaining wall is more scenic than expected, and that a trail could be constructed through it, providing a safer and more scenic access to the Rec Path from the downtown area. The path wouldn't go all the way down to the water, but would descend about half way down the slope and then follow the grade. 

(click image to enlarge)

For now, we plan on creating a "pilot trail." (See our Work Parties page if you're willing to help out). That  would eliminate about 750 feet of walking along the state highway, leaving about 650 feet of highway that still has no sidewalk of any kind (the sidewalks further along the highway are less than ideal, but at least there is something). If there is a public need, this type of access trail could qualify for future upgrades under a DEEP Recreational Trails Grant. Here are some winter views of the trail route: 

Curtiss Brook

The work will mostly involve digging the trail into the side of the hill and cleaning up years of litter and dumping. There are tires and all sorts of trash, especially up near the road.  Note that cleaning up litter in here would be a great group project since there is good parking and endless litter (see the DontTrashShelton.org website for info on our annual Shelton Clean Sweep). 

Looking upstream towards the Pine Lake dam

Southbound along the new trail (heading towards Pine Lake), there comes a point where the ravine ahead is too steep for a trail, so the path rises to the top of the hill. There's a nice view of the Pine Lake dam from that part of the trail, with water spilling over it. 

Heading back up out of the ravine (looking towards Pine Lake)

And here are some satellite images showing handicapped-accessible, multi-use trails in red (the Rec Path, Derby Greenway, and Shelton River Walk), along with the sidewalk system that almost links them. This trail project will cut the gap in half. 

Multiuse paths in red, sidewalk connections in white

 

Birdseye view from Derby showing multiuse paths in red
and sidewalks in white

Spring Cleaning; Fixing Split Rail Fences

The First Day of Spring was Friday, March 21st.  The next day was our first fence repair work party of 2025.

There was a number of damaged fence sections along the RecPath at Silent Waters.  Some sections were broken from the Fall/Winter storms, some posts and rails were just old and failing.  We had gotten replacement rails and posts last December, but then the frost set in, which made it difficult to replace posts.  Now the frost was out of the ground and now we could fix the fencing.  Ellen & Mark are off-loading the new fence sections.

First the old fence posts and rails that were broken were removed.  Bill and Steve are digging out the broken post stump with digging bars, post hole diggers, and by hand.  It takes a bit of effort, but they got it out.  

Mark was shuttling tools and fencing all morning.  We had split up into multiple groups to repair different sections of fence at the same time.  The RecPath was very busy this morning, but the public was good and pleased with the work to maintain the fence.  It probably was like driving thru a ConnDOT work zone.  All the work was done in a nice safe manner.

The Spring Peepers were going at it in Silent Waters.  The frogs and other amphibians came out last weekend.

Carter, Zane and Larry cleared out sections on the other end of the dam (the RecPath is build on top of the historic dam that used to supply water to downtown Shelton).  The fencing is there to keep people from falling off the dam.  

Mark had to cut some tree trunks that were in the way.  Jeff and Larry are spotting Mark while he's chainsawing.  We had just finished fixing some of this fence last year when the Micro-Burst Storm occurred in August and sent fallen trees smashing down on the trails and fence.  The trails were cleared fairly quickly, but some of the repairs took longer.  The broken tree trunk made a gratifying crash when we rolled it off the top of the dam using crow bars.  

 Zane & Carter did a good job digging out the old rotten fence posts and setting the new posts.

Jeff & Larry would set the new rails in place between the existing and new posts.  We left the new posts loose in the holes until we got the rails set, and then tightened them up with fill.  We gently tweaked the fence posts and rails together using Fine Adjustment Tools (15 lb. and 6 lb. sledgehammers).  We do dainty work.  Gravel and crushed stone was dug out of a nearby ditch and carried by 5 gal. pail to finish filling in the holes.  The posts were tightened when the fill was tamped in place with digging bars, sledgehammers, and a driveway tamper.  

Ellen was cutting back invasive Burning Bush along the RecPath.  The invasive plant spreads out and takes over the woods along the trail.  Cutting it back now helps control it later.  Shelton could use a lot of help from volunteers controlling invasive species.  The Trails Committee tries to do what we can when we're running work parties.

The work party was successful.  We repaired all the damaged fence along the northern section of the dam (the southern section at the bridge will be on another day).  Here's Bill, Jeff, Larry and Steve at the end when the sun finally started to come out.
 

A finished stretch of repaired fencing.  Not a bad job.

The old rotten and broken pieces of fence were brought out to the road for disposal by the City.

Thanks to everyone who came out today; Carter, Zane, Steve, Larry, Jeff, Ellen, Mark, Terry & Bill.  We now have several newly experienced split rail fence installers ready for the southern section, and a lot less invasive plants next to the RecPath.  It was a good days work.

Kiosk & Clean-Up at Hope Lake

Early March - Should be sunny, warm, and dry.  Our scheduled work party was to finish repairing the Hope Lake Kiosk and clean up portions of Oak Valley Trail and surrounding areas.

We had a good crew of volunteers on what turned out to be a chilly and blustery March 7th Saturday.  We did get some sun.  There was a lot of storm damage around the parking lot from the various ice storms and high winds.

Nancy and some of the other folks got busy clearing debris away from the parking lot.  Mark and Luis when back and got more supplies while we were setting up for kiosk restoration.  They also brought the hammers that I had forgot to pack for nailing the shingles on the kiosk roof.

Luis pitched in, along with the others.  Mark went back and got one of the chainsaws to whittle up some of the large tops and branches so they could be moved.

Erik helped with the clean up.  Bill went back to get a shovel to clear out wet spots and seeps along Oak Valley Trail.  Then Bill, Mark & Erik worked to reset an uneven bog walk along the lake and move stepping stones.

The re-set bog walk.  Mike had to go to the Barn to get some rock bars to un-stick the bog walk from the frozen ground so it could be leveled.  It was a good thing that this work party was so close to our Barn.

Helpful Trail Tip:  We should work on our pre-work party checklist of tools to bring.  Also get the stuff we'll need together during the week so loading up Saturday morning is less chaotic. 

Terry & Larry got started on finishing the re-roofing of the kiosk with cedar shingles.  We were continuing the repairs started in December.  At times the wind was gusting so hard across the lake the kiosk was rocking, but it was warmer then the work party in December.  We got the rest of the shingles on.  Some of the roof trim and doors will be put up a little later when we have a taller ladder and some warmer weather.

The other folks split up into multiple crews cutting brush and clearing debris along Oak Valley Trail, the Eklund Garden Connector, the Paugussett Trail over to J Pond and 4 Corners, the Flower Path, portions of the RecPath, and the Paugussett Trail on the back side of Hope Lake.  There was a lot of storm debris on the trails, and the early spring cutting really helps a lot with trail maintenance later in the year when everything starts growing at once.

Some of the storm debris cleaned up around the Hope Lake parking lot on Nells Rock Road.  It was a productive and brisk work party.  Thanks to everyone who helped out; Bodie, Danny, Erik, Nancy, Luis, Mike, Bill, Larry, John, Mark, & Terry.   

Also, thanks to everyone who helped take everything back to the Barn.  And thanks to Ray, Larry, Mark and Luis for getting the metal file cabinet up the stairs.

2025 Goals

The Trails Committee has a very long to-do list, so for 2025, several items were prioritized as goals for 2025: 

1. Upgrade the mucky approach to the Stockmal Trail bridge. During major floods, there is a current across this area, so secured bogwalk or bridge sections may be appropriate; 
   
   

   

   Flooding across Stockmal Trail at the bridge

   
   
2. Work on recognizing past Eagle Scout projects;
   
   
3. Apply for a DEEP Recreational Trails Grant for the Rec Path (if it is funded for 2025);
   
   
4. Repair three kiosks, starting with the Hope Lake Kiosk (begun);
   
   
5. Build a bridge for the Paugussett Trail at Birchbank's scenic Chimney Junction. This is the most challenging project. The brook has a strong current when it floods. 
   
   
6. Construct a new Curtiss Brook Connector trail to serve as an access trail to the Rec Path at Pine Lake.  This trail would serve as an alternative to walking along Rt 108 in a spot that has no shoulder, something high school student do frequently. Volunteers would construct a 'pilot trail' that could be upgraded if funding allows. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Build a Boehm Pond access trail off of Corn Hill Drive as requested by residents. This is a project best routed during mud season in order to find a dry route. 
   
   
   

French's Hill Winter Work Party

2025 is off with a bang.  The groundhog sees his shadow and we start getting a snowy winter in February.  Saturday we met at French's Hill to cut back brush before it snows tonight.

We had a good crew to work on cutting barberry and blow downs.  The parking lot was a bit icy, but passable.  Thick pants and sturdy work boots are encouraged, along with warm gloves, hats, and safety gear.

It took a little while to get started, but we got squared away and broke into groups.  Mark & Ray went over to Granderson Place to clear a blow down and cut stuff going out on the Red Trail.  They also cut stuff later at Oak Valley Trail.  Bill, Aidan, and Kaden cut back brush and cleared debris along the entry drive and parking area.  Ellen, John, Danny, Bodie & Larry worked their way in along the trails.  Terry took the brushcutter away from the other folks so it was safer.

John is clearing briars along the trail entry.  The sickle bar attachment is good for getting the brushy stuff, and prevent an explosion of briars in the spring.

There were newer blow downs from recent storms.  We'll need to come back for this one on the White Trail, but it's passable for now.

Barberry was cut next to the trails, and a lot of clumps cut off trail.  The barberry will re-sprout in the spring, but it'll be smaller green growth that can get cut more easily with lighter tools.   This will make it less of a crisis during April to June when everything needs to be cut at once, and it may allow some native species to sprout and compete for space and help the forest environment.  

The 3-bladed brush knife and smaller guard are a better combo for cutting barberry.

The White Trail was nice and peaceful (when we weren't working with power tools).

Helpful Trail Tip:  Micro-spikes on your boots are great for packed down trails that are icy.  Mine, of course, were home resting in a nice dry warm drawer.

Judging from the tracks, a lot of local residents have been using the trails.  One of the reasons for preserving Shelton's Open Spaces.

Near the end of the end of the work party, a couple of younger volunteers wanted to try out traditional clearing techniques on a dead snag which normally we leave up for the woodpeckers (but we have a few snags to spare at French's Hill), so here's Bodie.

And Danny going at it.  Apparently, it was warm work.

Timber! (nice thumb)

Team work - The End.  Hopefully, they can shovel tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who came out on a chilly morning; Mark, Ray, Ellen, Larry, Danny, Bodie, John, Aidan, Kaden, Bill, Terry.  There's more to cut, but this was a good start on our Pre-Spring Clearing.

Now we just wait for snow tonight and then the Super Bowl.  Have fun exploring French's Hill and bring your tracking guide. 

First Work Party of 2025

 The first work party of 2025 was cutting briars in the snow North of Constitution Blvd.  An earlier work party scheduled for Jan. 9th was canceled due to weather. 

We needed a new route to mow some of the trails following the Eversource powerline construction.  The big timber mats they put down to drive equipment on turned what was a usable road on City Open Space into a compressed swamp that was impassable at times.  So we shifted the route to slightly higher ground, which was a wicked briar patch.  The temperature was in the teens when we started, but it was sunny and the wind wasn't blowing.  So this was one of the best days of the week so far.

Bill was using his electric hedgetrimmer, but stopped to take pictures of our group.

Aidan, Nancy, Mark (& Mike) were going thru the thick stuff.  This was a day to wear the thicker, briar-resistant clothing.

A happy mid-winter work crew.  We split into 2 groups so we could use the brushcutters and hedge trimmers a safe distance from each other.

Bill & I also cleared out barberry along the Paugussett Trail from Constitution Blvd to the powerlines, and some of the other nearby trails.  Cutting back the barberry and other invasive species during the winter helps scheduling trail work in the spring when everything is leafing out.  Barberry is a pain to control, but cutting it now makes it easier to kill some of the fresh sprouts in the spring.

This stretch of the Paugussett Trail was pretty in the snow.  Some of the blowdowns that had been hung up in the trees finally decided to come down in December.  These will be added to the chainsaw portion of the To Do List.

There were a lot of prints on the trails in the snow (people and animals).  It's nice to see hikers and neighbors using the trails.

This is the path thru the thicket after the work party.  The gator path is re-routed around the wet spot N. of  Derby Junction (the power companies term for this spot).  Eversource is done with their work here, but UI Co. is still working on their powerline replacement project.  It should be easier to use and maintain our Gator/walking trail during this spring.

Thanks to Nancy, Mark, Bill, Aidan, Mike and Terry coming out to cut thick briars on a frosty morning.  It turned out to be a decent January day.  The first work party of 2025 is in the books.