Connecticut Trails Day in Branford: Ribbons and Turtle Siesta
Saturday, June 6, in Branford was celebrated by nearly 100 enthusiastic folks who helped local and state officials open the most recently completed trail section between Birch Road and Pine Orchard. [photo by Hans Flink] Many families, toddlers, teens and seniors came with their sneakers, walking sticks, canes, strollers and pet dogs to enjoy the morning’s hike from the new section, through a new roughly-cut proposed trail across Pine Orchard Road, to a hidden pond near Tabor Drive.
Big and little kids participated in self-guided nature hunts looking for wildlife – after easily finding two “planted” toy turtles, they were rewarded by discovering a real baby turtle napping on a log. They also identified trees, marked along the way by numbered posts installed as part of another Eagle Scout project using a Tree & Shrub identification number system developed by Young’s Pond Park.
The ceremonial ribbon was cut by State Senator Ed Meyer and Shoreline Greenway Trail Chair Chip Angle, assisted by Branford First Selectman Unc DaRos, State Representative Lonnie Reed, Kimberly Junior from U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro’s office, and Elaine Littlehales of the local Pine Orchard Association.
The new section of trail was made possible with an easement generously granted by Pine Orchard Association to cross their privately-owned property.
Further down the trail, our first trailhead sign was unveiled by Eagle Scout candidate Bradley Roth of Troop 428. He built it with an attached bench and erected it under the able guidance of his Scout project adviser Joe Byrne and SGT volunteer builder, Pete Peterson of the Branford Team, and the sign’s designer, new Board member Hans Flink. On hand to celebrate were Trail Development Team chair and Branford Team member, Jack Wood, and Branford Team co-chairs Chet Blomquist and Valerie Murray. Under their leadership, the Branford’s Team has made enormous progress with their trail.
Our event was televised by Channel 8 and was aired that evening on their 6pm news program – but not until 7pm – delayed by the Belmont horse race!
Connecticut Trails Day is part of National Trails Day, a program of the American Hiking Society to inspire the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects.
Posted: Jul 9, 02:31 PM
« First Saturday Monthly Walk - July 4, 2009
» Connecticut Trails Day in East Haven: Butterflies and Spider Wort Along the Trail