Town manager outlines $400,000 state grant to link Trout Brook Trail to East Coast Greenway

Town Manager Rick Ledwith told the Finance & Administration Committee that the town had secured a $400,000 legislatively directed state grant to build a connector linking West Hartford's Trout Brook Trail to the East Coast Greenway.

"This will allow us to participate in the state of Connecticut legislatively directed grant fund program to support the construction of the Trout Brook Trail to the East Coast Greenway connector," Ledwith said, describing a route that would begin near Treper Drive and Asylum, run through Elizabeth Park with bike lanes and pavement markings, cross Prospect Avenue, and continue via Sycamore to Albany Avenue. He said the project will include trail improvements, signage, pavement markings, bike lanes and pedestrian areas.

Chair Deb Polin said the committee would move the matter to the town council agenda for a vote. Mayor Sherry Canter commended staff and said she had advocated for West Hartford's inclusion in the Greenway work. "I really wanna thank Senator Slapp for his support," Canter said, and staff for their persistence in advancing the proposal.

Ledwith said the town coordinated with Hartford to secure the needed permissions and that the project reflects regional cooperation. The item was put on the town council agenda and is expected to be voted on at the council's Tuesday meeting.