Trail Events

The Roving Trail Crew will hold work parties on an as needed basis around the state. The Roving Trail Crew will working on several special projects this spring. If you are interested in helping on Roving Trail Crew activities, call CFPA at 860-346-2372 or send let us know by e-mail. Note that many of these activities will take place midweek.

SPRING TRAIL MAINTAINER WORKSHOP

Saturday, APRIL 26, 2008, 8:30 am.

Join CFPA at our annual Spring Trail Maintainer Workshop at Cockaponset State Forest in Chester.

Learn the basics of trail design and maintenance of pedestrian/hiking trails while working side-by-side with seasoned trail volunteers. Projects will include bridge-building, water bar construction, side-hilling, brushing, blazing, and safe tool usage. CFPA guidelines for handicap access trails will be included this year. Everyone is welcome.

Bring water, lunch, work gloves, and dress appropriately for outdoor work. Tools will be provided. Rain date is Sunday, April 27. To register or for further information, contact workshop leader George Arthur at 860-871-0137, or by e-mail , or contact CFPA at 860-346-2372 or by e-mail.

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Cockaponset State Forest. From Rte. 9, exit 6, take Rte. 148 west. At 1.45 miles, take Cedar Lake Rd north (right). At 1.8 miles continue straight at stop sign. At 3.0 miles turn left at signs for Pattaconk Lake/Pattaconk Reservoir Area. At 3.4 miles turn left into the eastern parking lot.

2008 Spring Trail Maintenance Projects

PARTICIPANTS SHOULD WEAR STURDY SHOES AND WORK GLOVES, BRING WATER AND LUNCH OR A SNACK. LEADERS WILL PROVIDE TOOLS, BUT PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN IF YOU HAVE THEM. ALL PROJECTS TAKE PLACE RAIN OR SHINE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED; IF UNSURE OF
THE WEATHER, CALL LEADER BEFOREHAND.

Saturday, March 29: Mattatuck Trail, Watertown.   Trail Maintenance, Bridge Building. Meet at 9:00 am, call leader to confirm meeting place.
Build small puncheon bridge, blazing, clearing. Bring water, lunch and work gloves. Rain or shine. Leader: Dean Birdsall, 860-567-5999, or email dabirdsall@optonline.net.

Saturday, April 5:   Wildwood Trail, Haddam. Trail Maintenance.   Meet at 9:00 am at the Commuter parking lot at Exit 8 off Route 9 in Haddam.
Reblaze “red dot” trail, and cut brush along the trail. Bring long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves, water, snack and loppers. Rain date is April 6. Leader: Rob Butterworth, 860-345-8029.

Saturday, April 5: Mohawk Trail, Cornwall. Trail Maintenance. Meet at 9:00 am at the hiker parking lot on Route 4 on the east side of Cornwall Bridge.
Spring walk-through to clear blowdowns from Dark Entry to Jewell Street. Bring lunch, liquid and work gloves. Rain or shine. Leader: Henry Edmonds, 203-426-6459.

Sunday, April 6:   Pachaug Trail, Voluntown. Trail Maintenance. Meet at 10:30 am at Two Brothers Café parking lot on Route 138 in Voluntown.
Light brush-cutting, some blaze painting. Bring lunch, brush-cutters, wear clothing that can get paint spills. Rain date is April 13. Leader: Duncan Schweitzer, 860-535-0763.

Saturday, April 26:   Nayantaquit Trail, Lyme. Trail Maintenance. Meet at 9:00 am at Uncas Pond Picnic Area off Keeny Road.
Winter rehabilitation, clearing. Bring beverage and pruners. Rain or shine. Call Leader to register and for more information. Leader: Chris Lawton, 860-859-0067.

Saturday, April 26: Spring Trail Workshop, Chester. See description above.

Saturday, May 10:   Cockaponset Trail, Haddam.    Trail Maintenance. Meet at 9:00 am at Commuter Parking Lot at Exit 8 off Route 9 in Haddam.
Reblaze and cut brush along the trail. Bring long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves, water, snack and loppers. Rain date is May 11. Leader: Rob Butterworth, 860-345-8029.

Trails Day—Saturday, June 7:   Orange-blazed multi –use trail, Cockaponset State Forest, Haddam. Trail Maintenance and Pot-Luck. Meet at 9:00 am at Exit 8 off Route 9 in Haddam, follow the signs to parking in the State Forest.
Join with BPC, CFPA, SRCR and others to help restore this multi-use trail. Work will include digging drainage dips, building water bars, and more. Bring a dish and join us for a pot-luck cook out afterwards. Last year’s event turned out 50 volunteers, come and join the fun! Bring long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves, shovel or loppers, water, snack and pot-luck dish. Rain date is June 8. Leader: Rob Butterworth, 860-345-8029.

Trails Day—Saturday, June 7:   Mohawk Trail, Cornwall. Trail Maintenance.   Meet at 9:00 am at hiker parking lot on Route 4, east side of Cornwall Bridge. Please contact leader to pre-register.
Construct turnpiking in marshy area south of Jewell Street. Wheelbarrows will be used to move gravel. Tools supplied. Both heavy and light work available. Bring lunch and beverage and work gloves. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: Henry Edmonds, 203-426-6459, HEdmonds@aol.com.

Saturday, June 21: CCC Trail, Natchaug State Forest, Eastford. Bridge-building. Meet at 9:00 am at the Ranger HQ one mile south of the intersection of Pilfershire and Kingsbury Road.
Build a bridge across a stream 1/2 mile from the road. Bring a hammer and strong back for carrying lumber. Rain date is June 28. Leader: David Raczkowski, 860-455-1096, Nipmuckdave@charter.net.

Additional Trail Maintenance Projects will be posted when scheduled. Check back often.

CFPA Office Volunteer Opportunity:

Our small staff would deeply appreciate any help in the office you can give. Please call Terri at 860-346-2372, and she will roll out the red carpet!

From the North: Take I-91 south to exit 21. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Route 372. After approximately .5 mile, turn right at light onto Route 217 (East Street.) Follow Route 217 until it ends at Route 66. Turn left onto Route 66. CFPA is approximately .3 mile on the left, after the Citgo gas station.

From the South: Take I-91 north to Middletown exit 18. Follow Route 66 approximately 4 miles. Pass reservoir and Agway. CFPA is approximately .3 mile past the Route 217 intersection, on the left, after the Citgo gas station.

From the East: Cross Portland Bridge over the CT River on Route 66 west. Follow Route 66 approximately 3 miles. (Turn right soon after the bridge to stay on Route 66.) CFPA is approximately .5 mile past the McDonald's and the shopping center on your right.

From the West: Take Route 66 (same as Route 691) east past Meriden towards Middletown. Pass reservoir and Agway. CFPA is approximately .3 mile past the Route 217 intersection on the left, after the Citgo station.