Branford May 2012

May 5, 2012

Incorporated 1685 / population 29089 (as of 2005), Branford is thirteen miles east of New Haven and the second town along the Shoreline Greenway trail as it makes its way to Hammonasset. The plan is for Branford to have 8.9 miles of trail designated as Shoreline Greenway.

Happenings this month

On May 8 – Branford is hosting the 10th annual celebration of the Shoreline Greenway Trail on Tuesday May 8 at the Branford Community House located on 46 Church St.  Members are meeting at 6:45 p.m. and the public is welcome for a real treat at 7:15!   Author Mary Collins will speak about her book, American Idle: A Journey Through Our Sedentary CultureThe book highlights the need for greenway trails and the opportunity for outdoor recreation they provide.  Light refreshments will be served.  Everyone is welcome, so please join us for some fun and lots of information.

On May 12 –
Come celebrate Branford’s Open Space from 1-4 p.m. on the Branford Green.  The Green will be decorated with maps,  posters and exhibits that will  help all visitors to learn more about the fabulous open space in Branford.  There will be special activities for children showing them ways to have fun in these open spaces.  Master of Ceremonies, First Selectman Unk DaRos, will proclaim May 12 Branford Open Space Day and will lead a ceremony honoring the citizens and community leaders who have made enjoyment of open space possible over the years.  This event is sponsored by the Town of Branford, The Branford Land Trust, The Branford Conservation Commission, and the Branford Parks and Open Space Commission.  Come join us and lend your support to keep the Branford open space available for all to enjoy!

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On April 28 the Branford Land Trust and the Town of Branford joined together for a Branford River Cleanup.  As you can see from the photos above, the day turned out to be beautiful and productive with many bags of assorted junk gathered.  One of the Shoreline Greenway team members said, “It was a worthwhile experience to walk along the shoreline and see where the Greenway Trail may be continued.”  Thanks to the Shoreline Greenway team participants –  Judy Miller, Leo Critofar, Dave and Peg Stamp, Chet Blomquist,  Courtney, Dan McGowan (from the Inlands Wetlands org) and Sean Barry.


Profile of the Month

Jack Wood is Vice Chair of the Shoreline Greenway Trail, Inc. and Chair of Trail Development.  We are extremely fortunate to have him on the Branford Team!

Jack Wood

Jack Wood

Jack earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clarkson College of Technology in upstate New York.  After serving in the Army Corps of Engineers, he worked in both the office in structural design and in the field in construction.  One of his fondest memories is of working on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

Born in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Jack and his family lived in many parts of the country before eventually moving to Stony Creek in 1999, retiring shortly thereafter.  He started working with the Shoreline Greenway Trail soon after its inception.

Jack has been married for 43 years to his wife, Jean, a wonderful cook and crafts woman.  They have three children, all of whom live in Connecticut.  In fact, Jack’s son, Josh is active with the Branford Green Team!  Besides Jack’s great sense of humor, his expertise in civil engineering has been invaluable as we work to build the Shoreline Greenway Trail.  Branford has benefited greatly from this tireless worker!

Trail Information Update

To date the following sections of Branford’s trail 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

Volunteering

There are many, many important tasks associated with the Shoreline Greenway Trail, which include:

  • Building and maintaining trails
  • Raising funds
  • Increasing SGT membership
  • Publicity
  • Government Liaison
  • Fiscal work
  • Identifying and tagging trees along the trail.

If you would like to volunteer, call Cochair Judith Miller at 203-481-3870 or click the Volunteer tab of this website.

We’d love to have you on board!

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