Welcome to the FVTC!
The FVTC was founded in 1992 by Preston Reed of Farmington as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation to promote public awareness of the conversion of the abandoned Canal Railroad into the central Connecticut portion of the multi-use Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (FCHT) and the Farmington River Trail. Today the organization has fourteen volunteer director/officers, encompasses nine towns and has almost sixteen hundred members. The Adopt-a-Trail Program has almost fifty volunteers providing maintenance for all thirty two miles of paved trail currently completed. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been granted since our inception for construction and enhancements. Other functions are regional advocacy, and events like clean-up days and Trails in Motion, held for the last fourteen years out of Simsbury, CT in June, on National Trails Day. The FVTC produces thousands of folding maps (with the new one showing New Haven to MA) and has created a comprehensive guide of the trail system. We are proud to work with all of the regional stakeholders toward the final completion of the trail system creating one of the premier contiguous multi-use trails in America, and we welcome your support as a member or volunteer.
STATE OF THE TRAILS - JANUARY, 2012
As of this date all of the trail system is open. There are still debris and low hanging branches in certain areas.
Our thanks to all of the town work crews. Many thanks to all of the Adopt-a-Trail Volunteers, ad hoc volunteers and Pete Salomone’s Crew: Charlie Beristain, Ray Stone, Steve Miller, Jim Nally, Bob Kot, Karen Franzen, Tony Antonowitz, husband and wife team of Joan and Bill Schwarz ( from Manchester no less), Sue Durant, Rick Thibodeau and Tom Rasmussen. Drew Papanek’s Casual Biker’s Crew, Karen Carlson's Crew, and Maryanne Krajcik with Debi, Frank, Jim, Martin, Mike & Roger for their amazing efforts. To all of the unsung heroes we thank you.
FENCING REPAIRS IN AVON
The Farmington Valley Trails Council partnered recently with the town of Avon to facilitate the repair and replacement of the split rail fences along the Greenway. From its maintenance fund, the Council contributed $1300, and Avon matched that amount to complete the cost of fencing.
SAFETY NEWS IN EAST GRANBY
The East Granby Department of Public Works has installed pedestrian-actuated flashing lights at the trail crossings of route 20 and route 189. The lights are now in service.
These lights are intended as a way to caution motorists. Trail users, as always, need to make certain that traffic has actually stopped before attempting to cross. Lights will flash for 20 seconds.
FARMINGTON RIVER TRAIL CONSTRUCTION
Farmington has completed their final phase of the Farmington River Trail from Route 4 to the Burlington line. The cost was $707,000 and includes black metal fencing and rest areas.
Collinsville/Canton is complete up to RT 44 at Lovely Street next to Best Cleaners. The town is exploring funding options for the design of the trail north of RT 44 to Simsbury.
