It’s all about taking the initiative

A recent initiative of the National Park Service has sparked new interest in cycling and pedestrian trails in our area. The campaign is called Bringing Parks to the People. The program will be funded through the federal Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program. Applications for funding are due on Aug. 1.

The projects eligible for funding include developing close-to-home parks and greenways; managing community-led visioning, planning and design; facilitating public involvement; building sustainable partnerships; engaging youth through outdoor recreation skill-building and conservation stewardship; and planning for trails, landscape conservation; water trails; river restoration and green transportation and tourism.

A small group of residents has already expressed interest in completing the Susan Grossman Greenway link to Winsted. Plans for the completion have been on the shelf for years. Also there has been interest in developing additional trails, linking Winsted to the south toward Torrington, east to Barkhamsted and New Hartford, and west to Norfolk. These connections would place Winsted as the center of an expansive trail network.

It is common to see many cyclists on the weekend on the roads around Winsted, but rarely do those riders appear to actually come into Winsted. The primary roads that the cyclists travel are state and federal highways, so the condition of local roads is not an impediment. It is likely that safety is more a concerning factor.

The presence of cyclists has been long-recognized as a positive impact upon economic activity. Cyclists visit local shops and eat at local restaurants. Their activity adds a vitality to a community.

Based upon some early conversations with other area and state officials, Winsted is likely to be strongly considered for this program. Working with the current small core of residents, an application will likely be crafted and submitted for this funding.

This trail network planning and development, however, will be a long process. More residents are needed to be part of a new advocacy group to support and promote the project. We need new residents to get involved by sharing their interest in trails, their vision and desire for better trails, and their own network of other advocates to provide critical support for the project.

In other words, we need people to get involved.

As in many cases, too many people simply stand back and refuse to get involved. On a larger scale, some of the town boards and commissions suffer from this apathy. The Economic Development Commission tries to find ways to promote and enhance local businesses, but local business owners are barely represented on the Economic Development Commission because none have stepped forward to provide insight and experience.

Other opportunities to volunteer and serve exist — Laurel Commission, Ethics Commission, Persons with Disabilities Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission. These bodies need regular members as well as alternate members to provide continuity in the absence (or conflict of interest) of regular members.

Plenty of people are pretty vocal about drawing attention to the shortcomings and challenges confronting the community, but they too often find it easier to simply sit back and be an armchair Monday morning quarterback. Step up and get involved.

Without more resident involvement, we have trouble supporting the boards and commissions that are critical to the success of the community. If you are interested in serving, please contact me.

Dale Martin is the town manager of Winsted.