Stratford Greenway panel to staff bike corral at Main Street Festival, plans July bike rodeo with microgrant funds

The Stratford Housatonic Greenway Complete Streets Subcommittee voted on May 1 to take part in the Town of Stratford’s Main Street Festival on June 1 and to use a recently applied-for microgrant to finance a children’s Bike Rodeo and event safety materials.

Harold Watson, chair of the Stratford Housatonic Greenway Complete Streets Subcommittee, said the town applied for a MetroCOG active-transportation microgrant of “almost $5,000,” with roughly half earmarked for a Bike Rodeo at the South End Community Center and the remainder for Complete Streets and Main Street Festival materials. "Once again, Rotary is offering us free of charge the bicycle parking that we've done for the last 2 years," Watson said, referring to the event’s bicycle corral.

The committee described planned purchases that would come from the grant if awarded, including reflective safety bracelets labeled “Stratford Housatonic Greenway” and about 30–40 reflective vests. Watson told members the group must set a distribution policy for vests and bracelets, proposing they be given to active ride leaders or loaned only during events to ensure visibility and leadership identification.

Committee members agreed to a series of outreach and logistics tasks. James Simon and a volunteer identified as Michael (Murphy) will work on a one-page flyer and publicity; Jim and Mike (committee volunteers) will coordinate copies of the committee’s annual report as a handout; Christopher Green said he will make contact with local Rotary Interact leaders and seek a route to Tony’s Bikes for potential donated or loaner bikes. The Main Street Festival was confirmed to run about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 1, with the committee’s ride traditionally beginning at about 4:30–5:00 p.m. after teardown.

Watson described the Bike Rodeo—targeted to third- through sixth-graders—scheduled for July 17, and said the microgrant could pay for community police presence to assist with intersection crossings and safety instruction. "The cops would be there to get them across the street," Watson said, noting officers would also help with kids’ bicycle safety skills during the event.

Members raised a shortage of children’s bikes for the rodeo. Watson said the committee has cobbled together seven or eight bikes in prior years and will seek donated or loaned bicycles from PAL programs or local shops; Christopher Green agreed to pursue contacts at Tony’s Bikes and other local vendors. The group also discussed modest sponsorships—for example, printing assistance—from local businesses rather than larger commercial sponsorships that might create perceived conflicts with Rotary fundraising.

Susmita Tada, town planner, told the committee that design-stage public hearings are expected at 30%, 60% and 90% for the larger Greenway project and that the town is nearing funding for phase 3 of the Greenway project. She said public meeting opportunities will be scheduled as designs are completed.

The meeting closed with an assignments recap: members will produce a one-page event flyer, secure publicity and copies of the annual report for distribution, check potential bike sources and youth volunteer groups, and confirm site volunteers and shift sign-ups for June 1. The subcommittee did vote to participate in the Main Street Festival; members agreed to follow up by email to finalize staffing and materials.

Votes at a glance: approval of prior meeting minutes (motion approved by voice); motion to participate in Main Street Festival (motion approved by voice).