The First Saturday Walk scheduled for 10/1 has been cancelled due to extensive trail damage resulting from Irene. Instead, Chet will be heading up a “hurricane cleanup” effort on the Tabor Trail. Those interested, please meet at the Tabor Church parking lot on 10/1 at 10 a.m. We certainly can use your help!
Please note: The scheduled bike ride has not been affected and will go on as planned.
Irene’s Wrath
Hurricane Irene came into Branford with a vengence. She damaged some of our woods and left many fallen trees, branches and litter along our trails. If anyone has pictures or stories they would like to share about the damage to Branford trails, please feel free to send them to us at jozringer@yahoo.com
Branford , CT
Incorporated 1685 / population 29089 (as of 2005)
Thirteen miles east of New Haven, Branford is the second town along the trail as it makes its way to Hammonasset. Branford was originally called Totoket and was bought from the Mattabesech Indians in 1638 by the first settlers in New Haven and incorporated in 1685.
Trail Information
The plan is for Branford to have 8.9 miles of trail designated as Shoreline Greenway. To date, the following property has been owner approved, and much of it is open to the public,though not SGT trail ready:
- 3600 ft – Tabor Property Drive to Pine Orchard Road
- 2400 ft – Pine Orchard Road to Young’s Pond Park
- 2100 ft – Young’s Pond Park to Blackstone Ave. (Rte. 146)
- 2000 ft – 146 Totoket Rd to Tilcon Drive
- 1000 ft – Tilcon Drive to Tilcon Parking Lot (next to RR tracks)
- 4224 ft – Tilcon Parking Lot to Stony Creek
For a total of 2.9 miles!
Newsflash
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED RIGHT NOW!
There are many, many important tasks associated with the Shoreline Greenway Trail, which include:
Chet and his “green team”
- Building and maintaining trails
- Raising funds
- Increasing SGT membership
- Publicity
- Government Liaison
- Fiscal work
- Identifying and tagging trees along the trail.
If you like to volunteer, call Co–chair Judith Miller at 203-481-3870 or click the Volunteer tab of this website.
We’d love to have you on board!
Other Happenings
October 1, 10 am – Branford Walk: Tabor Trail and Chet’s Pond
Canceled. See above update
October 1, 10 am – Branford Bike Ride
Ride is on-road and will include a loop around Indian Neck, Pine Orchards and the Trolley Trail. Led by Paul Proulx of Elm City Cycling, we’ll bike along the shore to the SGT Birch Road Trail section and see the planned SGT route at Young’s Pond. Ride is approximately 12 miles long and will incorporate several stops. Bikers will meet at the Tabor Church parking lot.
Branford Team Meetings
All those who wish to promote the trail in Branford are welcome to join us at 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Community House on the corner of Church and Prospect.
Branford Team Contact Information
Co Chairs: Chet Blomquist (203-488-5640; chetandtheboys@sbcglobal.net) and Judy Miller (203-481-3870; j.miller@snet.net)
Trail Development: Jack Wood (woodbythesea@sbcglobal.net) and Pete Peterson (evapete@sbcglobal.net)
Web manager and publicity: Jo Zaehringer (jozringer@yahoo.com)
Grants and Project Manager: Peg Stamp (pegstamp@sbcglobal.net)
Local Points of Interest / Other Links
Branford Hikers – Geoffrey Smith 203-215-1175; isput@sbcglobal.net
Branford Land Trust – 26 School St., Branford 203-483-5263
James Blackstone Library – 758 Main St., Branford 203-488-1441