The National Park Service is conducting a two-year study of more than 108 miles of hiking trails in Connecticut to determine whether they may join the America’s National Trails system. Included in the study is the Mattabasset Trail system, which runs through Middletown.
Instituted by an act of Congress in 1968, the America’s National Trails system uses state and federal resources to preserve the scenic, natural and historical integrity of its trails. It presently encompasses 17 trail systems, including the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails.
The trails under review belong to the Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail system—a series of discontinuous trails that weave throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts for a total distance of 180 miles. Since 2002, representatives from the park service have been examining their location and condition to assess the viability of blazing new trails to connect them.
According to Jim Sipperly, the environmental specialist for the city’s Department of Planning, Conservation and Development, linking the three trail systems will enhance hiking opportunities in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
“You’d be able to hike from Middletown to Northfield, Massachusetts along one trail… that’s almost 200 miles of trail passing through 37 communities,” Sipperly said.
As an outpost along the Mattabasett trail, Middletown businesses would profit from the increase in ecotourism generated by the trail improvements, Sipperly said.
“It has some economic value too,” he said.
“People would park in Middletown and spend money here… so [linking the trails] would greatly benefit the city’s economy.”
But some city residents have voiced concerns that the national designation as a scenic trail would bring unwanted hiker traffic to Middletown’s pristine areas. Sipperly
recounted the story of one property owner along the Mattabesett who demonstrated his opposition to hikers by blocking off a portion of the trail. Some homeowners along the trail are fearful that federal protection will limit their ability to develop their land, Sipperly said.
In an effort to quell such concerns, the city’s Department of Planning, Conservation and Development is educating its residents about the anticipated effects of trail improvements.
The city of Middletown is optimistic about the prospect of one of its trails joining the National Trails system.
“I think Middletown, especially its present administration under Mayor Thorton, has been supportive of outdoor recreation,” said Sipperly.
The Feds are expected to present the results of their study to each of the 37 cities along the trail system next fall. The city will make the report available to the public and consider the community’s feedback in making its decision as to whether to accept or decline federal intervention in the trail system. Middletown will make its final decision in the spring of 2005, according to Sipperly.
In the meantime, the state’s Forrest and Park Association is holding a series of public forums to discuss the issues surrounding trail improvements. Forums are scheduled to take place on Nov 6 in Durham, Nov 13 in Berlin and Nov 20 in East Granby.
For more information about the times and locations of the forums call the Connecticut Forrest and Park Association at 860-346-2372.
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