Thanks David!

For now Ben Berkowitz and JR. Logan: ctwebnet@gmail.com and johnrichardlogan@gmail.com.

We would love to come talk about it at the next East Rock Meeting.

This is a great oportunity

What a great idea. I use the other bike paths in the area and would love to have another one.

great idea - connecting fair haven to east rock is the next move in reviving the outer neighborhoods of new haven.

Let's do it, more than happy to volunteer time.

Agreed Andrushka!

Thanks for getting the issue posted Ben. For those who want to check more out about ideas have been developing check out: http://www.millrivertrail.com. On this site I am gathering maps and images related to the project. Also wanted to know Ben had the wrong email address for me above in the comments. Mine is johnrichardlogan@gmail.com not jrlogan@gmail.com.

It is probably also helpful to share this map which gives you a better idea of where this trail could be located. There is also a related older SeeClickFix ticket looking specifically at the lower section of the trail, south of Humphrey Street and above Grand. Worth checking out for the pictures that were posted: http://en.seeclickfix.com/issues/751039-neglected-river-access-trail

Also, worthwhile saying that issue 751039 is no longer neglected and JR has been working with abutting landlords to maintain it! Woot woot!

Also more than happy to volunteer time!

The offers for volunteering are awesome. I think the initial volunteer effort might be in getting out the word and bringing more supporters to the table! Once we get a plan from the City we could likely go in and start to do some brush clearing.

If you work or live nearby please share this issue for vote from your work and home neighbors.

BB

"As organizers we would like to see that there is real interest(50 or more votes might convince us :) from the community before we organize to push the issue to the State"

I am proud to have been vote #50.

:)

PAUL WESSEL FTW!!! Thank You all for the support. The wind is in our sails.

BB

We need to push for this to be included in the upcoming revision of the City's Comprehensive Plan to be completed in 2015.

Good idea. Where does one submit ideas for that? First I'm hearing of it.

Absolutely! And be sure to include portage for paddlers! This would connect the Mill River with the Quinnipiac and even the harbor.

Agreed Ravenclaw. That has been one of the thoughts for the State Street bridge area as well as Criscuolo park as documented here: http://en.seeclickfix.com/issues/1308715-parks-request

I'm down with this project. Seems pretty cool if that area can be made to be useful again. Are there any lingering issues as far as the trail being next to a Super-Fund site? Would the full trail be the one on the map or would it possibly extend up to East Rock Park? I know that might be a much bigger project but a pretty cool thought none the less. I found the .pdf from City Plan that was linked here yesterday that showed some work done on this idea this past summer (..i think..) but can't find it today. Happy to help push this along in any way I can. LL.

Hi,
The theory from the City Engineer is that connecting to East Rock Park through the baseball fields would be the short cut for now. Later, we could go under the underpasses!

Boulevardizing a short section of I-91 (as many other cities have done) is the key to making this a truly awesome waterfront destination, that reconnects East Rock and Fair Haven. Note the "before" and "after" diagrams and see how this proposal would open up thousands of feet of developable, waterfront property and parks for the city. http://downtownnewhaven.blogspot.com/2012/08/state-plans-sale-of-ct-transit-building.html

this is "after"

We took Ian Christmann out by canoe yesterday to film the full length of the future trail from the water. A video is coming soon. Please continue to share with your friends and encourage them to vote!

This all seems great. I believe the footpath would be very valuable. Does any part of this plan (now or in the future) address the flood control gate under Willow/Blatchley that interrupts canoe travel of the Mill River?

I think that JR can explain the ecological value of the tidal gate but the plan is to use it as a river crossing on the trail. With that bridge the trail would like not be possible anyways.

Should have said, 'without the tidal gate the trail would not be possible.'

This is a Shakey hyperlapse of the trail area that we are proposing as the first stage. The video starts below Humphrey Street and ends at State Street. A much better video of the River is coming soon.

we need to get a meeting so that we can map out what we need and who can give it to us. Thank you fro raising this issue it is very important to east rock. Regards, Bob Frew

Hi Bob,

The initial request is for the City to provide plans for implementation and the State DOT to provide some extra funding.

We are going to present the idea at the next East Rock Management team meeting. After that we should pick a Saturday and meet on site to discuss next steps that could be helpful to move this quickly.

Dear Ben,
This idea has great potential. It is the missing link to connect the sound to the trails that exist around east rock. I will be available whenever to talk about this. I am in Scotland right now and will return tomorrow. Look forward to seeing you.
Regards, Bob

David Budries, to my understanding the tidal gate is in place to reduce the impact of tides up stream. With this trail project the tidal gate is a benefit because it serves as a bridge across the river. I have found that portaging around the gate is fairly simple. With few changes it could be made even easier to pull out your boat and get it around the gate.

The gate works by using big one way flaps that lets water out but slows salt water from getting up stream during high tide. I assume this is to make water levels consistent around heavily used areas of East Rock park. To some extent, because fresh water coming down stream is blocked when ties are high, we get a small freshwater tidal effect from the pooling water north of the tidal gate. This fresh water tidal ecosystems are not something we see much in our area, to interesting in that it is novel. It also make the water upstream of the gate less salty. I am not an expert on the ecological impacts but it is pretty obvious that there is a negative impact in that it creates a barrier to fish headed up stream. For example at times I have seen large numbers of shad. Shad is an anadromous fish that are born in freshwater and, swim to the sea to feed and mature, then return to the rivers of their birth to spawn. I am attaching a picture of of a school which was at the tide gate apparently trying to get further up stream. It is not clear to me if if they can get through when the gates open at low tide. In some places tide gates have been modified to allow easier fish passage.

All this is to say that this entire river is an exciting and ecologically interesting area. With only a few minutes walk you can experience fresh and salt water zones, it has serene natural corridors through East Rock Park and urbanized and historical areas to the South. I hope that a walking trail becomes an asset that will bring to people's attention the natural assets we have and introduce them to some of the otherwise hidden spectacles such as the fish migration.

Whoops, I said the fish was shad but the in looking at what fish are migrating at this time I think now they were migrating brown trout.

Here's a write-up about a walk organized by the New Haven Bioregional Group along the Mill River in 2008 http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/mill_river_walk/

Aaron, that is a great write-up. We really need to make this happen this time. There have been so many failed attempts.

Is there a group of folks that would want to lead the effort to create a trail behind Wilbur Cross?

Ben, the idea of reclaiming some waterfront in the East Rock neighborhood is tremendous. What a great opportunity. We would like to help make this happen.

Andy,
That is awesome. The Starr Supply residential project will add a ton of new residents right at the access point to the water.

Thanks for offering to assist!

http://www.peopleforbikes.org/pages/grant-guidelines

We will be presenting our progress on the trail to date and gathering support at 7:00 am at the East Rock Management team meeting tonight at East Rock Magnet school. We'll also be posting some photos taken by Ian Christman of the proposed route and the trail coming soon.

Also,
A quick update that the City Engineer has created a first drawing of the route along the bus property. Progress!

Here's one of the excellent photos taken by Ian Christman of the trail area by State Street. We had a great meeting last night with East Rock Management team. If you would like us to come and speak to your group please let us know!

Amazing shot benhv. Very Andrew Wyeth. Shows the added artistic value that can be added by this project. I love it!

This is a great initiative and state funding makes sense. But the state budget is running about a $100 million deficit this fiscal year and the deficit is projected to be $1 billion next fiscal year in the absence of budget changes. Are there things that can be done to advance this proposal that are not contingent on state funding?

Hi Kevin,

That's a good question. While the initial numbers proposed are a drop in the bucket compared to the State deficit a trail like this can get pretty far with volunteers and donations from citizens and local businesses.

Getting an understanding of the initial cost for the CT Transit site will be helpful.

BB

Here are all of Ian's amazing photos from the float down the river: http://client.ianchristmann.com/mill-river/

Ian is a GREAT photographer!!

Wow. This is such an awesome idea.

Good photographs. Is there map that shows the trail?

You can see the trail map in the comments above!

A few of us went out and cleared some brush along the public rite of way between State and James yesterday.

Here's a photo of one of the temporary trail markers we placed along the route.

Tomorrow at 2:00 PM we will clear some more of the trail along the old CT Transit property. Meet us at the Ralph Walker rink. Bring clippers, machete, bear saw or other clearing tools. We don't need a ton of hands but could use a few.

You can message me at 203.415.6878 if you need to find us and you come late.

Success!! We cleared a single path all the way to Lombard/Humphrey today. Pamela Soto and Robert Orr also joined for a walk to learn more about the trail and how they can help.

So sorry I couldn't make it today. Let us know when next you are planning to do some work.

I had a good time trail blazing with JR and Ben today. It's a cool project that I'm proud to be a part of.

Thanks to Katie for round two trailblazing! Paul, we will definitely let you know. we will mount a sign at Hymphrey Street as well so folks can go start checking it out on there own also.

Some updates:

Yale grad students with an on-campus org came out on Friday to see how they can assist.
Kip Bergstrom from State DECD came out to see how he can assist.
Pamela Soto with Yale Forestry and City Plan has been joining us on the trail and at community meetings like the one we attended in Fair Haven last Monday. The support has been tremendous.

Roland Lemar mentioned that the State should help out with the trail in relationship to the State Street Bridge being shut down for so long. Read the article here: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/state_bridge_set_to_reopen_in_2016_maybe/

Anything organized happening this weekend?

This is amazing.

JR,
I am planning on meeting folks at 1:00 PM on Saturday. Do you want to organize some clearing and clean-up around that time as well?

Paul has an itching to get his hands dirty.

BB

1 pm on Saturday is perfect! Let us know where.

Paul it would be great to have your help. it would be best for me to start at 10:30am on Saturday. Would you be able to join me then? Do you have some tools that you could bring? We can meet at the ice rink and head down the trail, clearing and cleaning up.

Im voting yes because this is an incredible opportunity and the time is now. And dont stop there. I plan on walking a greenway around the entire peninsula of Fair Haven. Whatever we need to do to get this done..tell me.

Thomas you should check out this report that shows a plan for going all the way around Fair Haven. http://millrivertrail.com/?p=124 There is a group of walkers are already advocating to mark and regularly walk a variation of this trail. You should also join us Saturday morning, we can talk while we clean up the trail.

JR - I don't think I can make it until 12:15, though maybe a bit earlier. I have some tools. Tell me what we need.

Not a problem come when you can. If anyone else plans to join us at 10:30 or after please let me know by emailing johnrichardlogan@gmail.com or txting 203-676-3414. We will meet at the Ice Rink when we start but cross the tidal gate and start moving down the trail. I will bring some garbage bags, and a set of hand saw and clippers. You should bring water, work gloves and clippers or bigger lopper if you have one. The goal will not to make a perfect path but just something free of thorn bushes and big obstructions so that we can take people along it as we do planning and outreach. Thanks for the help.

The City Engineer and Head of Traffic and Parking came out today to walk the trail. They were both very enthusiastic about the progress.

We discussed new infrastructure that would be needed such as trail gates and improved tidal gate railings. JR, Paul and a new trail-goer Eliza also came out and picked up garbage.

Thanks to all. Its looking better everyday!

BB

Thought I'd throw up a photo of some of the City Leaders who came out this week to help out and take up the charge with us!

This is a great idea. There is.still plenty of open space parallel to the abandoned railroad track on John Murphy Drive from Alton St to Grand Ave and then to Chapel St between Mill St & the bridge

Join us today at 1:00 PM by the ralph walker rink. We will be walking the trail and cleaning up with volunteers. Bring gloves and garbage bags of you can. If not we will provide.

Thanks to the students from Yale and the folks at rocky corner community housing who came out to clean-up! The trails looks more and more like a trail every week.

Looks like the CT Transit property has a chance to be developed: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/depot_developer_sought/
Let's hope our efforts so far convince the developer to favor the water facing piece of the property in their plans!

This is a great idea. As this plan progresses southward, it would be a great idea if this can also include the abandoned railway that hugs the Mill River along John Murphy Drive (behind Chabaso Bakery) & continues south (parallel to Haven St & James St) and ends just east of the Chapel St bridge. If you can envision a "mini Farmington Canal trail". Since there is talk of creating a "walkway" or recreational use on the Quinnipiac from James St to Ferry St (south of the River St development, maybe it can eventually include this also (River to River concept)

For anyone who is interested in getting the updates on this project and influencing the future of the trail please join us at the July 29 community meeting about the trail. We will review successes and chart next steps. http://millrivertrail.com/community-meeting-july-29th/

WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA!!! HOPEFULLY IT BECOMES A REALITY!!

At the Fair Haven Community Team Meeting on October 1, 2015, a discussion of this project will be included in the agenda. JR Logan and Cordalie Benoit will be there to explain the project and the incredible free healthy and planet friendly opportunities that will be made available. 295 Blatchley St 6:00-7:30 PM the Police Substation.

We took a walk through here yesterday to help trample down some growth. It has remained a clear path through the Summer. Keep walking it folks.

Proactively Local State Social services alder person Mayors religious leaders collectively need to break the chains that bind them to their high perched offices and get out on the trails along the rivers & train tracks in every crevice dark corner here in New Haven and address this homeless & pimp prostitution issue. Whether it be addiction, hardship or mental illness before any consideration of monetary funding of the mill river trail and other recreational improves pending. God Bless!

This area is indeed home to a homeless community, including drug users and prostitutes. The City needs to have a plan for these individuals. With the new luxury apartment building going up on Upper State St, their presence will be noticed...and prospective tenants may shy away.

I am in agreement with mathurin25 and neighbor. I DO NOT want to stop what is happening with the Mill River Trail as far as the cleanup and building of walking trails and bike trails, and some day I hope there will be shops and gathering places.... BUT we have a a citywide problem with the homeless and all that goes along with this social issue. ...and is not going to just go away on its own. All of New Haven will be hurt, and money will be thrown away on projects doomed for failure if these issues are not addressed. Not to mention the moral issue of helping these people find a decent place to live, job training and job searches and mental health care for those that need it... amongst the homeless, probably most. If they did not need it before becoming homeless, trust me they do now.

Hi folks,
Some exciting updates:
1) The City has ordered trail signs as of yesterday
2) State DEEP has awarded CONH a grant to commence work on the trail near the State Street bridge.

A huge thank you to Donna, Anne, Giovanni and others in City Hall for all the progress on this!

BB

Great cant wait to see work get started!!! Hopefully, city officials are working on the homeless issues.

Great article on JR's work in the Register: http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20160430/mill-river-trail-will-run-from-blake-field-portion-of-east-rock-park-down-to-grand-avenue-in-new-haven

The trail signs are in! It's happening!

This is fantastic!
I was at the ribbon curing ceremony @ DISTRICT, 470 James Street today, and Mayor Harp also mentioned the trail.
Great work!
db

Wow! Ribbon cutting at District? Had no idea they were that far along. So cool.

Below is the article on the District ground breaking. Congrats to the developers who will be building kayak launches and contributing to the trail. Also of note the State has kicked in an additional 2 Million dollars for dredging and remediation pcb's in the river.

The Mayor is making an announcement at 1:30 today about the future of the trail. Come out and show support at John Murphy Drive behind 470 James Street at the the trail head.

Facebook group here: https://m.facebook.com/groups/mill.river.trail/

A great article about folks taking their boats to the river and rediscovering the Mill: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/east_rock_park_canoe_trip/

Just some photos from our previous workday. Please join us 7/28 for invasive plant removal.

Painting and sealing a bench. We still need some help restoring a damage one. Let me know if you know how to work with cement and want to volunteer your help.

Here is a like to let us know you are going to come to our next, and final work day.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1798709287031004/

Volunteer day today 7/28 starting at 4:30 til about 6pm we will be opening views of the river and staining a bench. All are welcome to join.

There is a volunteer day tomorrow at 4:30. Meet up at Crossfit at 470 James Street!

Looking forward to it...

JR's FB event for tomorrow: https://www.facebook.com/events/2020569237953480/

Great trail clearing yesterday. You can now walk from Humphrey to State.

This issue was recategorized from Other to Long Term Infastructure Project.

Thanks for all the continued advocacy and work around the Mill River Trail. We have moved this to the internal category Long Term Infrastructure so we can better track.

Thanks for all of this continuing advocacy and efforts by JR Logan and others!! Your efforts are very much appreciated. And thanks Ben for posting this. I am in full support of this program, and see it as a very viable, verdant and vital way to connect comunities, and add to our recreational resources. I will stay abreast of ongoing advocacy, and support needs and efforts. And note that this project had been moved to the internal category of Long Term Infrastructure within the city government for better tracking. Are there any updates here?

Great idea. I don't know what it means to "vote up this issue" but I support it.

What happened with the efforts to revitalize the Mill River Trail?