1. PLAN FOR STILL RIVER

GREENWAY AND RIVER TRAIL

IN DANBURY, CT

RIVER TRAIL MAIN PAGE --- MANAGEMENT PLAN
1. DANBURY STILL INVENTORY --- 2. BROOKFIELD STILL INVENTORY
3. NEW MILFORD STILL INVENTORY -- 4. INVENTORY FOR HOUSATONIC THRU NEW MILFORD
5. INVENTORY FOR HOUSATONIC FROM BRIDGEWATER TO MONROE

1A. OVERVIEW AND GEOGRAPHIC ORIENTATION
The Still River, which originates on the New York-Connecticut border, as shown on this map generally flows west to east thru Danbury. Then, at the site of the Marriott Hotel on Eagle Road, the River changes course, flowing due north into Brookfield and New Milford.

A major tributary – Limekiln Brook – flows into the Still River at this location, generally marking the point where there is adequate flow for canoes and kayaks. It is at this location that the Housatonic Valley River Trail and the Still River Greenway trail begin.

A summary of the River Trail's paddle distances in the City of Danbury is as follows:

.17 MILES, MARRIOTT PUT IN TO FIRST I-84 BRIDGE
.55 MILES, FIRST I-84 BRIDGE TO RAILROAD
.39 MILES, RAILROAD TO STEW’S POTENTIAL RAMP
.38 MILES, STEW'S TO BROOKFIELD LINE
1.49 MILES, TOTAL

1B. ON STILL RIVER IN NORTHEAST
DANBURY: MARRIOTT COURTYARD ENTRANCE
ACCESS: This is the beginning or “trailhead” for the Housatonic Valley River Trail (HVRT). It is located on the Still River at about 290 feet above sea level. This contrasts with the mouth of the Still at the Housatonic River downstream which is at about the 195 foot elevation line.

The steps down to the Still River are just before the entry of Limekiln Brook, bordering the Marriott property on its east side, which is a major tributary to the Still River. Flow is generally adequate for canoes and kayaks just beyond this tributary. However, low flow conditions during the summer may inhibit good recreational boating.

A live USGS Still River flow gauge in Brookfield offers information on Still River water levels. Consider its use here:

--- Many canoers and kayakers are uncertain whether flow is too low for boating during low flow periods. A relatively simple future project would be to place a permanent staff gage at the Marriott and mark the point on the gage when it is too low to get in the water. This this would have to be done with a few boaters trying out the run when the base-flow is receding to its minimum - then we discover the point of "no-go".

--- For the average boater, mark that on the staff gage and also check the flow at the downstream Gray's Bridge gage. Then this web site could actually advertise the minimum flow and the existence of the staff gage behind the Marriott.

This handicapped accessible canoe and kayak ramp was constructed in 2001, just off the rear parking lot of the Marriott Courtyard, which has an address of 3 Eagle Road. The ramp was installed December 1, 2001 by 35 volunteers (see photo).

The Albert W. and Helen C. Meserve Memorial Fund donated a total of $5,000 towards the cost of materials. King’s Mark donated the management of the actual installation of the ramp and the insurance for the volunteers on that date.

A paddle trip starting here can traverse the entire 6.7 miles downstream to the take out point before the Brookfield rapids at the 777 Federal Road retail building. Moving at about two miles per hour, and depending upon flow conditions, this is perhaps about a three and one half hour trip.

Or, if flow conditions are not strong a paddler can enter the Still at the Marriott, travel downstream and return to this origin point. For example the distance downstream to the vicinity of Stew Leonard’s store is about 1.1 miles, doubled for the return a total trip distance of 2.2 miles, taking perhaps 1.5 hours to complete such a circuit.

The Marriott is on Eagle Road, which intersects at a traffic signal with Newtown Road (State Route 806), and Newtown Road connects with I-84 Exit 8 nearby.

To access the River Trail, the public turns off of Newtown Road and travels north on Eagle Road about 800 feet or so to the Marriott driveway on the right. Then they drive in toward the building and turn right around its eastern edge. The Still River Greenway arch at the launch area is at the northeast corner of the rear parking lot.

Within its own web promotion, the Marriott Courtyard offers a photo of the adjacent lush Greenway and a photo of the River Trail arch as assets for its guests, stating "Behind the hotel you will find a nature preserve. Get out and enjoy the fresh air."

SIGNS: First, a large white entrance archway sign depicts the River Trail entrance and the path to the HVRT put in ramp. As planning for the Danbury Still River Greenway and the Housatonic Valley River Trail are integrated the sign reads “Parking for Still River Greenway and Boat Launch, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.”

The sign and subsequent path to the launch area and River edge are both located on Marriott Courtyard property. This sign is very similar in design to the Still River Greenway Trail Head sign nearby in the rear parking lot of the Kimchuk Corporation, which fronts on Eagle Road. The matching of signs demonstrates deliberate coordination between the parallel Still River Greenway and HVRT projects.

Donations from the Meserve Foundation and the Marriott Courtyard totaling to $760 were used for the entrance archway sign and installation, built and installed by Sign-a-Rama, a neighboring company on Eagle Road.

The landscaping and trees in front of the archway sign were paid for and planted by the Marriott Courtyard. The Marriott Courtyard provides maintenance for the initial pathway on the parking lot side of the archway sign.

Secondly as to signs, within the Marriott’s parking lot there are four dedicated parking spaces marked with three signs authorizing HVRT use. As noted above use for River Trail parking is limited to 9 AM to 5 PM daily, the time of day when the Marriott needs the least parking for its guests.

The Marriott Courtyard paid for and posted the dedicated parking space signs and owns and maintains the parking lot. The agreement for this was part of the building permit from the City of Danbury.

And lastly as to signs, an HVRT “Point of Interest” sign was posted next to the riverbank ramp. It was installed on an existing Still River Greenway sign (see photo).

The sign design was made specifically for the HVRT. Please note for the record that the design is the sole property of the Connecticut Sign Service LLC. While the design cannot be reproduced without written authorization by that company, this design of HVRT signs was free as a donation from the Connecticut Sign Service.

This point of interest text sign is by Jack Kozuchowski of the Danbury Health Department, who authored all points of interest signs in Danbury along the Still River Greenway paralleling the HVRT. A future project is to locate a volunteer capable and willing to prepare additional signs for Brookfield or New Milford sections of the HVRT.

COST, DATE ACCESS WAS BUILT, BY WHOM AND PERMITS: All engineering, specifications and surveying for the ramp was provided by the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s King’s Mark group as a donation to the HVRT. The HVRT is an adopted project of western Connecticut’s USDA King's Mark Resource Conservation & Development Area (King’s Mark), a major and continuing benefactor of the River Trail.

The CT DEP did not require a permit for this ramp as there is no flood encroachment zone along the Still River here. A confirmation letter to this effect was sent to King’s Mark in 2001.

In addition a representative of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers visited the site and determined there was no permit required, that letter also in the King’s Mark files. Jack Kozuchowski of the Danbury Health Department obtained all of the City of Danbury permits at no cost to the HVRT.

As for hard costs, Interlock Inc. stone pavers cost $1,506. O&G processed material cost $1,727, both prices including delivery. In addition $157 was expended on hard hats, gloves for volunteers, prune seal and silt fencing, and $90 for seed, fertilizer, lime and mulch to re-seed the land next to the ramp. DirtWorks, Inc. of Danbury donated all the machine time to cut the ramp and prepare it for the installation of the pavers.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: Ownership remains with the Marriott Courtyard, the ramp, trail and arch here being improvements to their property. The City of Danbury has an easement for the HVRT access and parking. The easement gives rights of passage. Maps showing the location of the easement are filed with the City of Danbury. Copies of the maps are located in the HVRT file.

TYPE OF MAINTENANCE REQUIRED AND RESPONSIBILITY: Maintenance of the ramp, the surrounding grassy area and the connecting trail remains an unresolved issue. The initial understanding was that the Danbury Parks and Recreation Department was to maintain the ramp as well as nearby Still River Greenway trails. Additional funding for a worker was provided to maintain the Still River Greenway and HVRT easement but that person went on disability and the work has been temporarily discontinued.

Recently the Danbury Conservation Commission has funded mowing of the nearby Commerce Park section of the Still River Greenway Trail. The Danbury Tree Department will, upon request, remove logs from the Still River if they are capable of doing so.

As of 10/2007 the Conservation Commission budget appropriation for the City has customarily subsidized approximately $8,000 per year for a landscape contractor to maintain approximately 30% of the linear footage of the Still River Greenway. This subsidization of the trail mowing depends upon continued City appropriations to the Conservation Commission budget for this activity and the Conservation Commissions continued interest in fostering the landscaper contract.

Written agreements for on-going routine maintenance of both the Greenway and River Trail are needed to avoid the “ad-hoc” arrangements for correcting conditions that inhibit recreational access to the river trail and the River. AS OF 10/2007 A long term maintenance plan is in development for the walking trail, which will be presented to appropriate City Departments and the Mayor of Danbury by January 2008.

If the maintenance plan is accepted and funded by the City, this will address the long-term needs of the Greenway Trail in Danbury. However similar agreements will be needed for the developing sections of the greenway trail in Brookfield and New Milford and the River Trail in all three municipalities.

Jack Kozuchowski and Peg Daley will request that the Marriott Courtyard mow the grass along the path and periodically clean the ramp as they already have a landscaping crew working at the hotel weekly. An educational sign remains to be constructed here by the Marriott, an initial development permit condition.

A ramp silting problem after high water is a continuing ramp maintenance issue. Peg and Bob Daley have cleared it many times as it needs to be repeatedly cleared throughout the season. A deflector wing wall to limit this problem is needed, and civil engineer Mile Rizotto of the USDA is preparing a design. In the future, an indicator of water height at this ramp should be installed to assist paddlers in determining very low or very high water.

RELATIONSHIP TO GREENWAY: The Still River pathway is across the river (north) of the MArriott Hotel at this location. To access it, a pedestrian bridge dating from 1999 over the Still is located about 880 feet to the west. As of 10/2007 it is likely that the 2008 cost for constructing a similar bridge would be in the range of $400,000 to $600,000.

See map of Greenway, but note that it is dated as the proposed second footbridge location has been dropped in favor of using the existing Conn DOT bridge over the Still on White Turkey Road Extension.

Note that the map illustrates the location of a second crossing of the Still River over the existing road bridge over the River at White Turkey Road Extension. The City of Danbury is currently creating an engineered plan to construct steps up the embankment from the floodplain to the existing sidewalk over the bridge, including access breaks in the guardrails, which will allow hikers to safely cross from the west side to the east side of the River here.

Funding is in place to construct this access but it needs approval (with a road opening permit) from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.”

An informal spur path of about 900 feet on this side of the River connects to the pedestrian bridge upstream. It starts here on the Marriott property and then moves on to the property of the Danbury Industrial Corporation. Both parties have given easements to the Greenway for passage and are thus “held harmless” for insurance purposes.

Maintenance needs between the Marriott property and the pedestrian bridge are the overall formalization of the spur path and eroding drainage channels. The Marriott may be requested to address the eroding channels that are on their property.

The section of the greenway trail near the bridge is considered the “trailhead” foundation of the Greenway and features, environmental education signage, a Still River History Wall and wildlife viewing areas. It is the most used section of the Greenway and needs on-going maintenance to assure its functionality. As described above, there is a long term maintenance proposal for the entire Greenway trail in Danbury (including the “trailhead section”) that is pending review and approval by City officials.

At the bridge this spur trail meets the main Greenway trail arriving from the west. In March of 2006 Danbury received a DEP grant to extend handicap access from the main Greenway parking area at Kimchuk Corporation easterly to the bridge.

The bridge itself is handicap accessible. North access to the bridge from Pitney Bowes is handicap accessible, allowing wheelchairs to go on to the bridge, view the scenic section of the River and turn around (at the south end of the bridge decking) to return to the Pitney Bowes parking lot.

The bridge was designed with the capability of adding a handicap accessible elevator to the south side of the River (at the bituminous handicap accessible path) when future funds are available.

Taking the spur from the Marriott and crossing the pedestrian bridge, the Greenway Trail proceeds easterly to the confluence of the Still River with Limekiln Brook, directly across from the Marriott put in ramp where the River Trail starts.

Routing of the Danbury Still River Greenway
shown in red, starting in northeastern
Danbury and continuing north into Brookfield.

1C. ON STILL RIVER IN NORTHEAST DANBURY:
FROM MARRIOTT PUT IN RAMP TO I - 84
The Greenway arriving from the west now parallels the River Trail on its western bank as the Still River flow continues north. Along this section, the original and temporary Greenway markers on the west bank need replacement by volunteers and the pathway needs better definition.

Along this section there is a profusion of Japanese Knotweed and other invasives. The long term maintenance plan will address selected removal of invasive plants, where it is a nuisance to trail or river access.

A green Housatonic Valley River Trail location sign #2 is located on a tree overhanging the Still River and identifying a Greenway point of interest. Volunteers installed the sign in 2001 with the sign costing $60. This sign is on the eastern or right side of the Still River, down stream about halfway between the Marriott Courtyard and the upcoming I-84 overpass.

While Danbury’s Still River Greenway runs along the west bank of the Still River here, there is no intended access to or from the river bank for paddlers.

Continuing north, the adjacent Greenway Trail easement continues to fall within the property right of passage agreement between the City of Danbury and Commerce Park. HVRT and Greenway signage is considered to be authorized by that agreement.

Both the River Trail and the Greenway then pass under I-84. See a photo of this area.

The City of Danbury has a license agreement from Conn DOT for this passage. The agreement requires that a fence be maintained to prevent hikers from inadvertently climbing up into the median between the two directions of I-84 and either startling drivers or being exposed there to high speed traffic.

An idea is to post this Conn DOT bridge with a small sign stating “I-84", identifying it as a landmark, perhaps with the red, white and blue interstate logo. This would give a needed point of reference to walkers and paddlers. Or, such a sign could be placed on a post trailside near the bridge.

Since DOT road crews maintain Interstate 84, part of the long term maintenance plan will be to place “no brush deposition” signs along this section of the trail.

1D. ON STILL RIVER IN NORTHEAST DANBURY:
I-84 TO WHITE TURKEY ROAD EXTENSION
A green Housatonic Valley River Trail location sign #3 was installed in 2001 and is on a riverbank tree just north of I-84 identifying a Greenway point of interest. A landmark nearby is Loew’s Theater. The Still River Greenway runs along the west bank of the Still River here, as elsewhere a route for potential emergency access to paddlers taken ill.

The character of the river corridor now changes. South of I-84 and Loew’s Theater, the valley was relatively flat, while to the north it is more steeply shaped, especially the higher hill to the east, with about 100 feet of side slope elevation visible. While part of the Theater building is visible from the Trail, and even less visible to paddlers, it is not intrusive to the scenic natural corridor here.

As of January 2006 there is a River Trail blockage by very large trees north of the rear of Loew’s. There is also evidence of beavers instinctually attempting to cut trees to dam the Still River in this vicinity. Many trees are half cut, ready to fall and block the River Trail or Greenway. A parking lot drainage channel also passes under the Trail.

This section of the Greenway trail will be officially opened to the public in 2008. The property owners have agreed to provide an easement for public access to the Greenway and maintenance and the specific conservation easement is pending.

Dominant across on the east bank hillside here is the long and multi-story Avalon Danbury Apartment Community. Many balconies face out over the greenery of the Still River Valley, and this development's literature has offered the "scenic surroundings along the Still River" as a prime asset.

Some synergy is expected here as both the residents and the property owner will want the adjacent valley to be kept clean and to have opportunities for passive recreation. Permission is to be sought from the Avalon owners to cross their property on Still River clean up days.

The City will need a second easement here to allow pedestrian passage, now limited to City of Danbury workers. The goal will be working to define the passage as from the edge of the Still River westerly to the western side of the sewer easement.

The extensive Avalon housing continues northeasterly on the east. A landmark on the west is the top of the Honeywell Consumer Products Group building.

The next landmark is the bridge carrying the tracks of the Housatonic Railroad Company over both the Greenway and River Trail. On the east bank is Berkshire Corporate Park property (see their map) where temporary access for Still River clean up days has been granted in the past.

The City is pursuing permission to authorize pedestrian access under this railroad bridge. There is sufficient clearance for walkers to pass under the tracks, but an easement agreement is required with the owner of the Railroad.

Beyond the railroad tracks will be the second crossing of the Still River at White Turkey Road Extension (described above). Greenway trail users will walk underneath the White Turkey Road extension bridge (after the walk under the railroad) and then turn west to the Road crossing. When this accessway is constructed, it will allow pedestrians to ascend the bank (either on steps or on a stone dust embankment path) towards White Turkey Road Extension.

When they reach the road, they will cross through an overlapping cut in the guardrails to the existing pedestrian sidewalk that crosses over the Still River by the road. Then they descend down the embankment (on steps or a stone dust path) to the east side of the River, where the Greenway Trail continues to the north.

For approximately 0.2 miles along the embankment down to the River on the east side of the bridge, DOT maintains this section as a lawn, punctuated by shrubs and small trees in a park-like setting. It should also be noted that the construction of the accessway over the White Turkey Road Extension bridge would also provide the users of the Rive Trail with emergency egress from the River Trail.

The western edge of this property fronts upon Federal Road (State Route 805) and a 115 space commuter parking lot has been developed there. This lot is rarely full, especially on weekends.

The distance from the rear of the state commuter parking lot to the nearest point on the Still River, for someone carrying a canoe from the northeast corner of the parking lot northeasterly to the bank of the Still River, is almost 500 feet. See Conn DOT commuter lot vicinity map.

In order to create an accessway to the River from the commuter lot, an easement agreement will have to be formalized between the City of Danbury and the property owner of the land between the lot and the river. The trail will have to be cleared and maintained.

This location should be monitored to determine if it is already being used as an informal put on and take out location for paddlers. This public property can also play a useful role for emergency access. It may be worth exploring the option of a public canoe and kayak ramp here.

Just after the state property hosting the commuter lot appears the Oxbow Island on the west. The island had been a peninsula pointing west until 1994, when a channel was cut across its base by natural forces, allowing some of the flow and paddlers to take the new and faster water “chute” as a short cut.

See aerial views of the Oxbow Island looking northwesterly and then looking southeasterly.

This island is sandwiched between the Route 7 Expressway on its east and the busy Federal Road commercial area on its west. While the western tip of the Oxbow Island is close to and points toward the busy signalized intersection of Nabby Road and Federal Road, there is no pedestrian access to the Still River there, and the Oxbow Island remains pristine as it is only accessible from the water.

A River Trail sign is on the southeastern side of the island. There is no access to the island here as the bank is quite steep and the soil is very sandy. Rather, there is island access from the water on the northern side of the island as the banks are relatively flat there.

There is a Greenway point of interest sign on the east bank and a River Trail sign on the island itself. The River Trail sign was washed away by a storm, salvaged, and now tied to a tree on the Oxbow Island. But as that area is eroding, a permanent solution such as mounting in concrete needs to be considered.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: The nearby Stew Leonard’s store owns the Oxbow Island in its entirety, up to the edge of the new Still River channel cut open in 1994.

The Island is across the Still River from and south of the Stew Leonard’s store, and Stew’s owns the considerable flat meadow like Still River west bank frontage in back of its store.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: The Oxbow Island requires more maintenance from debris and other blockages than other parts of the River Trail because of river hydraulics.

There is a River Trail sign indicating access for paddlers to the store. In the past Stew Leonard’s management has discussed making this access formal. When completed a put-in and take-out ramp at Stew Leonard’s would afford access to food, beverages, bathrooms, and HART buses.

As of late 2007, the City of Danbury has, over the past several years, discussed with Stew Leonard’s, public access arrangements to the River and to the section of their property across the Still River to the northeast (where a bird sanctuary was constructed with Stew Leonard’s authorization). However, as of October 2007, there are no formalized agreements. Discussions pertaining to a formalized easement agreement are continuing.

Informal paths from the store across the flat cleared meadow to the water do exist here, as they have been beaten down at different times for river cleanup projects when Stew Leonard’s has donated dumpsters for volunteers use. At present there is a fence to the east of the store that prevents all pedestrian or paddler access to the Still River frontage of the store property, except for a small gap at the southern side of the parking lot.

DATE ACCESS BUILT AND BY WHOM AND AT WHAT COST: It is hoped that access will eventually be donated by Stew Leonard’s. Perhaps an informal access can be developed short term.

SIGNAGE POSTED: A green Housatonic Valley River Trail location sign #5 is on a tree here identifying this still informal point of exit. This sign was installed by volunteers in 2001.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: Doug Hempsted of Stew Leonard’s has assisted the HVRT in general and with clean-up activities. The City of Danbury is preparing a legal property description and easement language to allow public access to the bird sanctuary property. The easement proposal will be presented to Stew Leonard’s in 2008.

TYPE OF MAINTENANCE NEEDED AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR: Stew Leonard’s will be asked to provide this if and when an access point is developed.

1G. ON STILL RIVER IN NORTHEAST DANBURY:
STILL RIVER GREENWAY BIRD SANCTUARY
The River Trail proceeds north past the Stew Leonard’s grocery store property, which is on the west bank. Now on the east bank of the River appears the Greenway Bird Sanctuary (see photo).

This is a flat area bounded by the Still River to the west, the Route 7 Expressway to the east, and the Brookfield Town Line to the north.

The Bird Sanctuary, a small meadow and forest complex, offers both walkers and paddlers a one half mile loop walk through three different ecosystems. These are a meadow, a wetland forest and a riverine corridor.

SIGNAGE POSTED: There is a point of interest sign here concerning the Greenway Bird Sanctuary. Access to the Sanctuary is only possible for boaters and Danbury Still River Greenway users, so there are no parking or put in issues on the river bank. There are rings for tying up boats.

A green Housatonic Valley River Trail location sign #6 is on a tree identifying the easy point of access to the Bird Sanctuary. This sign is on the eastern side of the river and was installed by volunteers in 2001.

The Danbury’s Still River Greenway ends at this point. There is a desire to see it extended further along the Still River into adjacent Brookfield, this goal endorsed by the Brookfield Plan of Conservation and Development.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: The bird sanctuary is on property owned by both nearby Stew Leonard’s and, on its easterly edge, Conn DOT. The Conn DOT portion is used as a bird sanctuary via a 2000-2020 renewable lease from Conn DOT to Danbury.

There was a signed agreement between the City of Danbury and Stew Leonard’s concerning access to the Bird Sanctuary for the Still River Greenway. That agreement was to include permission for sign installation for the River Trail. However the agreement is not valid because the wrong form was used, and as of 3/2006 Jack Kozuchowski of the Danbury Health Department is trying to resolve this issue.

As the bird sanctuary provides an interesting destination for paddlers on the Still River, the HVRT process works with Danbury staff on improving access from the River.

DATE ACCESS BUILT AND BY WHOM AND AT WHAT COST: The steps from the River to the Bird Sanctuary were built as an Eagle Scout project by Alex Glazier and other Boy Scouts with completion in December of 2001. The Scouts purchased the stainless steel cable and fittings and Mike McCarthy of Newtown provided the cedar logs, both as donations. John Monroe of the National Park Service designed the steps.

TYPE OF MAINTENANCE NEEDED AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR: The steps have been undercut by erosion. King’s Mark will request a remediation and stabilization plan from USDA engineering, as they are familiar with riverbank requirements, and Jack Kozuchowski on behalf of the City will have the plan executed.

The Steiner Family, owners of the nearby 300 acre Berkshire Corporate Park, upon request from Jack Kozuchowski direct their staff to mow the meadow section of the Bird Sanctuary.

There is a letter to this effect from Roy Steiner to Jack Kozuchowski of Danbury dated 2/5/2003 stating that “Berkshire Industrial Corporation would like to donate our services to brush hog the Still River Trail between the railroad bridge area and the bird sanctuary two to three times per year. We will also cut the bird sanctuary area once per year, to be done upon your request in August or September.

A written agreement may also be requested for periodic clearing of the Greenway Bird Sanctuary and steps.

This inventory continues into southern Brookfield.

RIVER TRAIL MAIN PAGE --- MANAGEMENT PLAN
1. DANBURY STILL INVENTORY --- 2. BROOKFIELD STILL INVENTORY
3. NEW MILFORD STILL INVENTORY -- 4. INVENTORY FOR HOUSATONIC THRU NEW MILFORD
5. INVENTORY FOR HOUSATONIC FROM BRIDGEWATER TO MONROE