2018 Summary and 2019 Goals

Here's our summary of 2018 and some goals for 2019. 

Total Hours and Value: The Trails Committee recorded 1200 volunteer hours for 2018. This does not include meetings, events, trail monitors, or anonymous volunteers. The value of this volunteer labor is $36,288 (based on $30.24/hr value for Connecticut volunteers per Independent Sector.) There were 23 formal work parties held along with numerous smaller ad hoc work parties.

Events: There were six public guided hikes, including the National Trails Day hike held in June, a full moon hike, spring wildflower hike, and a marshmallow march.

2018 Accomplishments: 

• Volunteers maintained 28 miles of trails during the 2nd wettest year in Bridgeport history.
• Stockmal and Willis Trails were created
• Cleared extensive tree damage from February storms (7 hrs/mile)
• Implemented a Trails Monitoring programs
• Kept vegetation at bay throughout a very wet summer
• Cleared more fallen trees after a severe storm in May
• Installed routered trail signs at Nicholdale Farm and Willis Woods
• Repaired erosion damage after a 7" rainfall in September
• Rerouted steep sections of the Paugussett Trail at Birchbank, Indian Well, and Thoreau Drive
• Constructed steps for the Paugussett Trail at Princess Wenonah drive
• Installed artwork along the Poet Path (Paugussett Trail) at Princess Wenonah Drive
• Installed a trailside fence along the property line south of Thoreau Drive
• Installed a Birchbank entry side at the border of Indian Well and "roadwalk ahead" signs at Birchbank and the Poet Path. 
• Rerouted a section of Turkey Trot trail to bypass a wet section

Scout Projects

• Josh Andes constructed benches along the Rec Path

2019 Trail Goals 

• Create a new Pearmain Path loop, making use of the new Pearmain Preserve open space
• Begin the "Big Loop" trail connecting Nicholdale to Indian Well. Also, rename the trail.
• Address wet area on Paugussett Tr. north of Independence Drive and add a bridge. 
• Fix up all traihead kiosks and landscape trailheads
• Encourage the City to beautify the Rec Path entrance at Pine Lake (including gate house and filtration house)
• Install additional signage at Rec Path trail junctions
• Secure a contractor to provide more routine Rec Path mainenance during the growing season.
• Promote a pedestrian bridge across Means Brook to connect Stockmal Trail to the Trombetta Woods open space (currently not accessible)
• Create new trail map and brochure for Shelton Lakes
• Support extension of the Paugussett Trail south of Buddington Road, which would require a significant redesign of the Shelter Ridge proposal.