2025 was a great year for advancing outdoor recreation access and equity in Connecticut!

The Youth Conservation Corps' "Access for EveryBODY" initiative is excited to share our latest updates. Our trail crew is diligently working through snow and cold temperatures to ensure that Rockhouse Trails remain accessible for everyone to enjoy. We are currently redesigning the 300 ft plus wetland crossing at Skunked & Dunked to enhance access for aMTB users.

Recently, the YCC hosted an aMTB clinic in collaboration with the Just Hands Foundation at Oxford High School. We were fortunate to have the foundation's founder, Torsten Gross, lead the training for our members. This clinic is generating the positive momentum we need to ensure our initiative continues to progress in the right direction.

Late in 2024, the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection soft launched free of charge reservations of all terrain wheelchairs for people with mobility challenges at several state parks. That test led to full deployment at seven parks in March 2025.

All-Terrain Wheelchairs | Connecticut State Parks and Forests

Kudos to Eastern Mountain Sports, Rhone and Kane Footwear as top influential outdoor brands in CT/Top Outdoor Brand in all 50 states

Field Magazine recently profiled the top outdoor brands in all 50 states. Eastern Mountain Sports was recognized as the top brand in CT with Rhone and Kane Footwear as strong contenders for this honor. Read more below.

The Most Influential Outdoor Brands from Every State | Field Mag

https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/american-outdoor-brands-from-every-state?mc_cid=60b25c55f5&mc_eid=2dda7598ef

Land Trust Happenings Around CT!

Great news all around as open spaces are conserved across Connecticut. Thanks to Matt at ExploreCT for compiling this awesome list of accomplishments,

  • The Norwalk Land Trust has merged into the Aspetuck Land Trust

  • The Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust has merged into the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy.

  • The Manchester Land Trust has added 33.1 acres near their Bush Hill Preserve.

  • Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy has added 117.26 acres with their Glen Brook property.

  • The Salisbury Association acquired the 275-acre Tom’s Hill project.

  • The Norfolk Land Trust added 10 donated acres to their Ells Crane Erder Preserve.

  • The Avalonia Land Conservancy acquired two parcels from the Town of Ledyard, together forming the new 93-acre Founders Preserve. They also acquired the 25 acre Erwin & Naomi Goldstein Preserve in Griswold.

  • The Cornwall Conservation Trust received a long-planned legacy donation of 65 acres, expanding its Greyledge Preserve to 265 acres.

  • The Stamford Land Conservation Trust opened their new 64-acre Harry Day Preserve in North Stamford.

  • The Roxbury Land Trust acquired the 225-acre Bronson Mountain Preserve and look to create a trail system there in 2026. They're also opening a brand new trail at the Town Line Farm Preserve on 11/1!


WeHa.com: Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy Expands

With the dissolution of Windsor Land Trust (WLT) this month, Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy (TRLC) will be continuing conservation efforts in Windsor. TRLC was formed in April 2023 by the merger of West Hartford, East Granby and Wintonbury (Bloomfield) Land Trusts. All were nonprofits led by volunteers, sharing a common goal of conserving the natural environment.

Windsor Land Trust becoming a part of TRLC expands Windsor’s resources and scope as part of a larger organization capable of regional land conservation and protection for future generations. Windsor Land Trust Trustee, Jim Kandik, has joined the TRLC Board of Directors to carry WLT’s voice into the expanded organization.

Click here to read the entire article.

RTC: Top 10 Trails in Connecticut

Railroads and canals both played huge roles in Connecticut’s early economic development. Today those corridors serve as trails for bicyclists, walkers, equestrians and others seeking quality time outdoors. Many are heavily wooded, creating shade on hot summer days and colorful displays in the fall.

They also provide alternative transportation opportunities for commuters in the Constitution State’s largest cities. Long-distance travelers will find 98 trail miles of the 3,000-mile-long East Coast Greenway within the state’s borders, as well as segments of the New England Rail-Trail Network.

Click here to read the list.

CT Insider: Keney Park's Nature Trail Gets Upgrades

Historic Keney Park has been undergoing improvements large and small over the last decade, and though its latest upgrade may not be major, those involved with the effort to reclaim the nature trail hope it has a big impact on visitors.

The newly reopened nature trail — a 1.9-mile paved path that begins and ends at the 693-acre park's pond house — has been cleared out, with 40 educational posts pointing out the park's flora and fauna. 

In addition, 10 mental health stations have been placed along the trail, each with work from local artists, mindful messages, and QR codes to further enhance the experience.

Click here to read the entire article.

State Bond Commission: $30 Million for CT State Parks

Last week, the State Bond Commission approved $30 million in funding to go toward improving our state parks and forests. The funding will support much-needed infrastructure repairs and renovations across Connecticut’s 110 state parks and 32 state forests, ensuring a better experience for everyone who wants to spend time outside.

$3 million of that investment will fund urgent repairs at state parks that were damaged in historic floods in August. The storm caused significant damage to:

This funding supports the Restore CT State Parks initiative, which is an historic effort by the Lamont administration and the state legislature to address the backlog of needed repairs. Since 2022, the state has committed more than $70 million of American Rescue Plan Act and state bond funds to support investment in outdoor recreation.

Improving our parks and forests will benefit everyone.. Access to parks promotes physical fitness by providing opportunities for hiking, biking, jogging, and so much more. The outdoors also helps to improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, parks provide recreational spaces where families can come together. Ultimately, this investment will increase the quality of life while preserving Connecticut’s natural beauty.

Click here to read more about the Restore CT State Parks Initiative.

October 9: Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day

The 28th annual National Walk & Roll to School Day is on October 9, 2024!

Whether addressing the need to make routes to school safer for active trips or encouraging children to be more active, these events can be powerful tools to inspire lasting change. Of course, they are also lots of fun!

As of today, 23 schools across Connecticut have registered their event on the national Walk, Bike, & Roll To School website. These events provide an opportunity to advocate for and evaluate pedestrian safety surrounding Connecticut’s schools while encouraging students to be more active during their school commute.

Register an event here: https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/registration/

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