Hartford Courant: There’s new hope for a significant CT greenway. It comes after decades of complex debate

A push to convert a desolate, 4-mile stretch of rail line into a Connecticut greenway with trails for pedestrians and bicyclists has run headlong into the state’s stance that the rails remain a viable freight transportation corridor.

But a new study shows for the first time that it is possible to combine the two uses in Hartford.

The Griffin Line is seen as a key component to the $65 million Hartline pedestrian and bicycling path that would run from Hartford’s Riverside Park on the Connecticut River to Bloomfield. And it also is seen as a viable option for filling a crucial gap in Hartford in the East Coast Greenway, which runs from Florida to Maine.

The Hartline is part of the expansive Hartford 400 vision for reconnecting Harford to its riverfront by moving, burying or capping highways. Click here to read the entire article.

OIA: Outdoor Industry Association Celebrates Explore Act Passing the U.S. House

Press Release: The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6492, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE) Act, in a significant move towards enhancing public land access and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities across the country. Introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the EXPLORE Act is a bipartisan package of recreation bills that aim to address barriers to access for veterans, people with disabilities, and underserved populations, streamline permitting processes for guides and outfitters, and support and enhance recreation opportunities on our public lands. 

The EXPLORE Act is a companion bill to S.873, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA), which passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in May of 2023. AORA and EXPLORE represent the strong bicameral and bipartisan collaboration across chambers to advance policies supporting outdoor recreation. The passage of the EXPLORE Act through the House marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, improve public land access, and support economic growth in rural communities. As the legislation advances further, bipartisan collaboration and stakeholder engagement will be essential in realizing its potential benefits for individuals, businesses, and the environment.  Click here to read the entire press release.

Hartford Courant: A CT river is named one of ‘most endangered’ in US. Here’s why and what it means for residents

The Farmington River, “the top priority watershed in the state,” according to the state’s environmental agency, has been named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers by the organization American Rivers.

The 47-mile river, which flows into the Connecticut River, “has the potential to be the biggest positive environmental impact to fish restoration,” according to Paul Woodworth, senior ecological restoration project manager for Save the Sound.

The reason it’s listed as endangered is the hydroelectric Rainbow Dam, which is only partially operating, Woodworth said. The dam is run by the Farmington River Power Co. in Windsor, which is owned by Stanley Black & Decker.

“The Farmington River supports diverse fish and wildlife, is a vital source of clean drinking water for the region, and provides boating and other recreation opportunities, but this dam is an ongoing threat,”  said Katie Schmidt of American Rivers, in a statement. Click here to read the entire article.

New Haven Register: How a Bike Box is engaging cyclists in New Haven's Newhallville neighborhood

…Lowery had stumbled on a new collaboration between nonprofits in two typically disparate realms of the city — Newhallville and East Rock, home to the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op. The Co-op and the Community Placemaking Engagement Network are working to bring free bike repairs and maintenance classes to Newhallville in the name of community building.

If you have a bike needing repair, you can bring it by, and volunteers will fix it at no cost. But what they would really like to do is teach cyclists how to fix their bikes themselves. They'll even provide the tools.

Using grant funds, BSBC and CPEN have hired a program mechanic and community coordinator, Kapp Singer, who will staff The Bike Box for weekend repair clinics and maintenance workshops twice a month on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Following clinics on March 9 and 23, the next clinics will be on April 13 and 20, May 11 and 25, June 8 and 22, and July 13 and 27. Thursday maintenance classes are scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. on May 9, June 6 and July 11. Click here to read the entire article.

America Outdoors: Economic Insights to Help Outfitters Navigate the New Normal

Ever worry that an economic disruption (recession, inflation, or otherwise) will negatively impact your outfit? We can’t predict the future, nor the specific effects it’ll have on your outfit. But we can learn from our past to more easily navigate the uncertain waters of today’s “new normal.”

Let’s reflect on three big indices, and how they reacted to three significant disruptions in recent memory. By doing so, we’ll be better prepared to navigate the ups and downs of outdoor recreation business ownership - no matter the economic climate.

The three disruptions we’ll look at in this article are…click here to read the entire article.

CT Mirror: CT to Partner with Private Businesses to Boost Parks, Recreation

Under the initiative, known as the “partnership for parks,” Connecticut could see more of its state parks offering activities like disc golf, bicycle and boat rentals or glamping; refreshments at on-site cafes or concession stands; and event planning services for weddings and other gatherings. 

“It’s a win-win,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “It’s great for boosting small business and other economic development opportunities in the state … It’s a win for DEEP because these are the kinds of extra services and amenities that we don’t have the bandwidth to provide … And most importantly, it’s a win for the public. 

“That was the home run right there,” said Neil Johnson, store manager at REI Co-op in Milford and board member with the Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Alliance. “But it’s really just the beginning. Now the hard work happens of [figuring out] what that role is able to collaborate on — and derive results around — for the benefit of the state of Connecticut and the outdoor recreation industry writ large.

Bruce Donald, a manager with the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance, which works to develop the region’s network of trails, said one of the first things the outdoor industry office should address is the state’s relative lack of campsites. Click here to read the entire article.

People for Bikes: EXPLORE Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee

The bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) to improve and expand America’s outdoor recreation economy while delivering sustainable economic boosts to rural communities. The EXPLORE Act recently unanimously passed through the House Natural Resources Committee. The comprehensive package contains several ground-breaking recreation bills, including the Military and Veterans in Parks (MVP) Act, Outdoors for All Act, Outdoor Recreation Act, Biking on Long Distance Trails Act, and many others.

If signed into law, this bipartisan outdoor recreation legislation, which complements the Senate’s America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA), will significantly improve and expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities on our public lands and waters. Click here to read the entire article.

SFGate: With Skis in Hand, Lamont Announces Plan to Expand Offerings at CT State Parks

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, Governor Lamont and Katie Dykes, commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, announced the creation of a new DEEP Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences. It will solicit partnerships with the private sector, including business, nonprofits and other groups. Dykes announced that the agency has issued a public request for information (RFI) in an initial step toward expanding services.

"We know how important that coordination is with the private sector to deliver better outdoor experiences for Connecticut residents and visitors," Dykes said, highlighting the DEEP's desire to review new ideas for expanding services for an outdoor industry that is valued at $4.6-billion and already supports 46,000 jobs. The 2022 state budget provided for an $80-million investment in parks' infrastructure. Click here to read the entire article.

Governor Lamont & Commissioner Dykes: New Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences and Partnerships in Parks Initiative Request for Information

Today, Governor Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes announced the launch of a new Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences as well as the Partnerships in Parks Initiative Request for Information. Additionally, the Governor’s press release included quotes from CORA and REI.

DEEP will host an Informational Webinar on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. for anyone considering submitting a response to the RFI or interested in providing other comments. Please register in advance.

Anyone may provide feedback on the RFI by submitting written comments that will be shared on this website. Email deep.partnershipsinparks@ct.gov, by Friday, February 16, 2024, with “Parks RFI Comment” in the subject line.

NESJ: Connecticut mountain biking: 5 must-ride spots

Connecticut is home to several New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA) chapters which provide a lot of energy for mountain biking throughout the state. The Nutmeg State is home to all types of mountain bike trails – you can find tough climbs at Case Mountain State Park, singletrack with coastal views at Bluff Point, or lift-access downhill trails at Powder Ridge.

If your favorite part of a day on the mountain bike is the post-ride beers, Norbrook Brewery has you covered with a professionally built trail system on-site and freshly brewed beers. Or, if you’re looking for skinnies and rock rolls then you’ll love Pomfest Forest. No matter what type of rider you are, there’s a trail system for you. Click here to read the entire article.