Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 8

The Newtown Bike & Trail Committee, in partnership with local volunteers, municipal partners, and my Economic & Community Development Office, is launching a community fundraising initiative recruiting “Rail-Trail-Blazer” donors. Individual participants are being asked to help raise the final $50,000 needed to complete the first phase of Newtown’s Pequonnock Rail Trail extension.

Everyone can make a difference — contributions of any size matter. So, whether it’s five, fifty, or a few hundred dollars, anyone who has dreams of leashing their dog, lacing up their walking shoes, or getting on a bike in Botsford and exploring points all the way down to Seaside Park in Bridgeport can be part of this history-making effort.

Excitement for this long awaited project has already inspired several donors including Brautigam Land Surveyors, GRC Construction, and Lenahan Land Clearing & Grinding Inc. to contribute $117,000 in funds and in-kind services. A separate grant from the Newtown Board of REALTORS recently added another $6,000. 

While we plan to officially launch the “Rail-Trail-Blazer” campaign to raise the remaining $50,000 during Newtown’s 2026 Earth Day Celebration at Newtown Middle School Saturday, April 25, we’ve already opened up the donor portal to jump-start the effort. Visit tinyurl.com/NewtownRailTrail to donate now.

First Selectman Bruce Walczak pointed out that the first segment of Newtown’s rail trail extension is shaping up to be something special. 

Slow down, explore!

“It opens the door for people to come into town, park, enjoy a picnic, and set off on nearly 17 miles of the beautiful Pequonnock River Trail,” the first selectman said “It’s the kind of project that invites people to slow down, explore, and really enjoy what our community has to offer.”

Charles Zukowski, Co-Chair of the Newtown Bike & Trail Committee, added, “Extending the Housatonic Rail Trail from Monroe to a new trailhead on Swamp Road has been a dream of trail enthusiasts in Newtown for decades. The key approvals are finally in place, and the next step is fundraising. I encourage everyone who can to help in that effort.”

The proposed Newtown extension will connect to the existing Pequonnock River Trail, a 16.9 mile mostly flat, multi-use path linking Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Monroe. The trail follows the former Housatonic Railroad line and is already popular for walking, running, and cycling. The Newtown portion will be fully ADA-compliant, featuring smooth, stable surfaces, gentle grades, and accessible entry points for wheelchairs and mobility devices.

‘A vision for thousands’

Rob Sibley, Newtown’s director of Planning & Land Use said the county-wide, multi-use trail has been a vision for thousands of partners through the last 30 years. 

“Newtown’s extension and improvement of that trail best honors and expands on that vision,” Sibley noted. “It wonderfully reflects our newly adopted 2024 Newtown Plan of Conservation & Development while supporting regional planning initiatives.”

In a letter of support for a project grant from CT DEEP (Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection), Newtown’s State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Martin Foncello affirmed that plans to connect the Pequonnock Valley Rail Trail to Newtown are on track for 2026.

“We envision a beautiful greenway for our residents to leisurely, cleanly, and quietly venture; as well as welcoming visitors from beyond to arrive in our communities and state; get to know us, enjoy our hospitality, learn about our history, our artisans; shop, dine, and celebrate music and festivals with us,” the lawmakers wrote. “The community is pumped!”

To ensure safety and environmental compliance, the trail alignment near the former Batchelder brownfield site was reviewed in partnership with assigned project partners on DEEP’s Concierge Team, who confirmed that the proposed trail is entirely outside areas of environmental concern.

Greg Carnrick, a Newtown resident and owner of GRC Construction who’s been spearheading the project, said, “I never thought I’d see this day — but I’m thrilled it’s finally happening. Volunteers, donors and Newtown Public Works are ready to go, so if residents can help us close the funding gap, the extension will be completed this year.”

Future plans aim to extend the trail up to Fairfield Hills, and this represents the critical first step in bringing the project across the Monroe border into Newtown.

The donor portal is open now – contribute online and become a Newtown “Rail-Trail-Blazer” by visiting tinyurl.com/NewtownRailTrail. 

Submitted by Newtown ECD Director John Voket