PRESS RELEASE: The City of Bristol Receives a Connecticut Recreational Trails Program Grant

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Bristol CT) May 19, 2023

THE CITY OF BRISTOL RECEIVES A CONNECTICUT RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT TO
FUND PLANNING AND DESIGN OF AN ACCESSIBLE STRUCTURED TRAIL FOR ALL BRISTOL RESIDENTS

BRISTOL, CT – The City of Bristol is one of 28 municipalities in Connecticut to be awarded a
Connecticut Recreational Trails Program grant in the amount of $320,000. The funding will be used
for the planning and design of a recreational bike/pedestrian trail to provide a safe continuous
connection between Rockwell Park/Muzzy Field to the West End neighborhood to Downtown. The
proposed trail will traverse the West End neighborhood to public transit lines through the downtown
area improving equitable access to outdoor recreation for all Bristol residents. Eventually, it is hoped
that this accessible structured trail will eventually connect to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.

In order to create a public involvement process that was collaborative, accessible, and inclusive, the
City of Bristol partnered with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) to engage the
public in a study to gather information about how best to accommodate all users. NVCOG conducted
interviews with stakeholders, created an online survey to gather public feedback, developed
an interactive map, conducted public information meetings, held a walk audit in the area where the
trail will be located, and provided frequent updates to the Bristol community to help guide the
planning process. This study aims to build off the recently completed Route 229 Corridor Study which
recommends adding a shared-use side path between Interstate 84 in the south to Route 6 in the
North. These two routes combined will provide a north-south and east-west connection through
Bristol, ensuring a safe and accessible corridor for non-motorized users to travel.

“This grant will allow the City to design a recreational bike/pedestrian trail that will create new
opportunities to connect the West End neighborhood with downtown, thus providing all Bristol
residents with a safe way to access public transportation and amenities in the downtown area,”
stated Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano. “Additional funding will be sought in the future to make the
connection from Route 229 to a meeting point with the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Plainville.