2. PLAN FOR STILL RIVER

GREENWAY AND RIVER TRAIL

IN BROOKFIELD, 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

OVERVIEW
As shown on this overview map of the Still River in Brookfield and southern New Milford, the Still River flows northerly thru Brookfield and then into New Milford, where it soon emptied into the southeasterly flowing Housatonic River. A summary of the River Trail's paddle distances in the Town of Brookfield is as follows:

.30 MILES, DANBURY LINE TO NORTH SIDE OF WHITE TURKEY RD.
.81 MILES, WHITE TURKEY RD. TO EAST SIDE OF RT 7 EXP.
.41 MILES, RT 7 EXP. NORTH TO WEST SIDE OF RT 7 EXP.
1.45 MILES, RT 7 EXP. SOUTH TO RT 133 1.45
1.37 MILES, RT 133 TO SILVERMINE RD. BRIDGE
.86 MILES, SILVERMINE RD. TO 777 FEDERAL ROAD EXIT
.74 MILES, NO PADDLING ZONE FROM 777 TO NEWBURY CONDOS
1.18 MILES, NEWBURY CONDOS TO NEW MILFORD TOWN LINE
7.12 MILES, TOTAL

As of 2007 the Still River related recreational priority for Brookfield is completion of a section of the Still River Greenway as a paved bike path. This will be from the rear of the Town Hall off of Pocono Road west across the Still River, then north along the west bank to 777 Federal Road.

Once this section is built, public interest may turn to completing extensions from it south to Danbury and north to New Milford. These other sections are expected to be built to lower and less costly standards.

This sign is an indication to paddlers where they are on the Still River. An actual survey was not done to determine the exact location of the Brookfield Town Line, but the sign is believed to be reasonably close to the actual municipal line.

As it crosses into Brookfield the Still River flows northeasterly. It is tightly bounded on its east by the Route 7 Expressway and on its west by the corridor created by Federal Road and Grays Bridge Road, both roadways also proceeding northeasterly.

Planned routing for the
Brookfield Still River Greenway
thru southern Brookfield shown in red

2B. ON STILL RIVER IN SOUTHERN BROOKFIELD:
DANBURY LINE NORTHWESTERLY TO ROUTE 7 OVERPASSES
After crossing from Danbury into Brookfield the River Trail passes under the bridge carrying White Turkey Road Extension (State Route 840). It is no longer paralleled by the Danbury Still River Greenway, which dead ended at the Danbury Line. As the path does not yet extend into Brookfield, walkers must retrace their steps within the Danbury Greenway to exit.

The paddling distance, with meanders, from the Danbury City Line to the White Turkey Road Bridge is about 1,600 feet, or about three tenths of a mile.

It would be logical for the Danbury Still River Greenway to the south to eventually link up with a similar Brookfield Still River Greenway to be built by Brookfield in this section. The 2002 Brookfield Plan of Conservation and Development supports this concept.

As it enters Brookfield, the Danbury portion of the Greenway Trail is on the east bank of the Still. To avoid the expense of a pedestrian bridge, the goal of Brookfield would be to continue the Greenway Trail along the River’s east bank thru all of central Brookfield, north to beneath Silvermine Road, where Brookfield has received a federal grant to build a pedestrian bridge to cross over to the Still River's west bank.

Building this in segments, the current Danbury Greenway could be extended thru Brookfield just 1600 feet along the east bank up to an exit at White Turkey Road Extension. Walkers would travel on to Conn DOT property just before the bridge, then up the modestly sloped embankment to enter or exit the Greenway in Brookfield.

The benefits to Brookfield of planning a short Still River Trail segment here would be the relatively low cost and resulting high cost benefit ratio of obtaining easy access to the full length of the Danbury Greenway for Brookfield residents. And of course the advantage to Danbury would be the addition of a northern exit to its Still River Greenway.

And although not suitable for a put in or take out point, the advantage to paddlers on the River Trail would be the addition of an emergency access point. But the disadvantages of this simple plan are coping with high traffic volumes that are not pedestrian friendly on adjacent roads.

Looking at the properties involved in this concept, the Still River’s east bank frontage in Brookfield has, from the Danbury City Line northeasterly to White Turkey Road Bridge, first about 700 feet of privately owned land of the STJL Company. This is followed by 900 feet of riverside frontage owned by the Town of Brookfield.

If the STJL Company did not wish to grant access to its Still River frontage, then this property could possibly be avoided by having the trail veer to the east temporarily, to the Conn DOT owned Route 7 Expressway embankment, then proceed north back to the Brookfield owned land.

As for an east bank trail continuing under the White Turkey Road Bridge, there is ample riverside shelf under the bridge for this, at least fifty feet in width. Using this resource, a pedestrian exit could also be located on the north side of the White Turkey Road Extension Bridge, if favorable for pedestrian safety or parking access. Or perhaps both accesses could be developed.

On the west bank here just north of the bridge there is a possible canoe and kayak access point. This is the parking lot of the retail development at the corner of Federal Road and While Turkey Road Extension. The owners of this property might be approached about canoe access and use of parking, especially as the supply of parking for the primary commercial purpose is ample.

Continuing on thru Brookfield, northeasterly from the White Turkey Road Extension Bridge to the east side of the Route 7 Expressway is about .81 of a mile. Here the Still River runs along the rear of Grays Bridge Road properties from Federal Road northeasterly to Old State Road.

As the east bank of the Still River from White Turkey Road Extension northeasterly to Grays Bridge Road is composed entirely of Conn DOT and Town of Brookfield properties, riverside trail development here seems quite feasible.

After the Expressway opened in 1977 and in conjunction with the Still River relocation, some minor excess state lands along the alignment were deeded to Brookfield as permanent open space. Some of this land is found running along the west side of the Still and paralleling Grays Bridge Road. But unfortunately, it does not cut through the commercial development abutting Grays Bridge Road to provide a point of public access to the water.

The one Grays Bridge Road property owned by Brookfield here hosts the Town Highway Department garage. This property then slopes back southeasterly to the bank of the Still River. However, this property would have difficulty adapting to the role of a put in or take out point for the Housatonic Valley River Trail (HVRT). The reasons are that it is a tightly bounded and secure area, organized for salt storage, truck traffic and heavy equipment storage, and as such it is not readily conducive to mixing in of pedestrians.

Continuing with Brookfield's future east bank trail development, it can easily pass under the two Route 7 Expressway bridges. As for then crossing under Gray’s Bridge Road, there is ample riverside shelf and height for an east bank riverside trail to retain its continuity here and pass under Grays Bridge Road.

A potential paddle put in and take out location near the Route 7 Expressway bridges over Grays Bridge Road would involve the parking lot of the Town owned Grays Bridge Ball Park, located west of the Expressway and accessed off of Old Gray’s Bridge Road. This is a Little League field used by the Brookfield Baseball Association and managed by the Brookfield Park and Recreation Department.

Directly south of the ball field’s public parking area, across Grays Bridge Road is property owned by Virginia Collins and Susan and Burke Hager. If access was not available thru that private property, then Conn DOT property adjacent to Route 7 Expressway Southbound could be considered as a point of riverside paddler entry.

Another area of interest for possible paddler access is the golf practice range to the southeast, accessed off of Sand Cut Road.

The paddle distance of this section, with meanders, from the White Turkey Road Bridge northeasterly to the east side of the Route 7 Expressway northbound, is about eight tenths of a mile.

As a resource for possible Still River access and parallel walking trail development, the southern part of the east bank in this section is owned by M. S. Brenrich, Inc., and the northern half of the east bank by the Town of Brookfield. For both parcels, the Grays Bridge Road frontage is undeveloped and contains a guide rail safety fence to prevent wayward vehicles from skidding off of Grays Bridge Road and down the embankment towards the River.

As Grays Bridge Road is raised well above the River, any concept of developing a driveway to reach a paddler put in or take out ramp here would require the significant construction expense of grading, driveway construction, and shoulder widening on and proper turning radii from Grays Bridge Road. Perhaps a one way system with a single driveway entrance and exit might reduce traffic impacts.

Another potential access location to be field reviewed is the land southeasterly from the intersection of Grays Bridge Road with Sand Cut Road. This is owned by K/B Enterprises of Brookfield, Inc.

Concerning trail development, it should be noted that the 1977 Route 7 Linear Park Plan prepared by the CT DEP indicates that there is sufficient width under the two Route 7 Expressway bridges over the Still River and west of Grays Bridge Road to include a trail on the east bank of the Still River. This recommendation will fit nicely into the current east bank trail plan and will need engineering inspection.

That 1977 Plan then takes the trail northerly by running straight along the edge of the Route 7 Expressway, not a meandering course along the continually curving bank of the nearby Still River. The simplistic goal in 1977 was to closely parallel the then new Expressway, not the Still River. However, the 1977 Plan does show a “Possible Future Secondary Trail” connecting at both ends from the main trail but winding along the bank of the Still.

As a resource for possible Still River access and parallel walking trail development, the Brookfield 2002 Existing Land Use Map identifies municipally owned open space on both sides of the Still about half way north thru this segment, then limited to the east bank northward to the Route 133 Bridge.

The flood plain is wide here, and the bed of the Still River in this section meanders considerably. This is demonstrated by the fact that a direct air line mileage from the Route 7 Expressway north to the bridge carrying Route 133 is .85 miles, while the paddling distance, along extensive meanders between the same two landmarks is a much greater 1.45 miles.

Given a paddler's rule of thumb of two miles per hour, this segment requires about 45 minutes to traverse. However, paddle times can be significantly longer during low water when no current is present or when winding around obstructions.

Accessed off of Federal Road south of Route 133, the Delmar Drive business area fronts the Still River on its west bank. As for certain industrial buildings near Silvermine Road, Peg Daley indicates that owner Roy Young on initial contact did not wish involvement with the River Trail and except for emergency access does not allow passage on his property.

Of concern to possible trail development, the Town of Brookfield’s 2002 Master Plan and the HVCEO 2007 Regional Transportation Plan both recommend that a southbound on ramp from Route 133 to the Route 7 Expressway eventually be constructed. This ramp would most likely be located between the east bank of the Still River and Route 7 Expressway southbound. As a result, east bank trail development will be “squeezed” at this point, but with careful engineering should not be impossible.

The Steiner’s have indicated to Peg Daley that they may be willing to consider incorporation of a west bank Still River put in and take out ramp and associated parking as this property is developed. As noted above the planned riverside trail is on the opposing east riverbank here. A future pedestrian bridge would connect the two, providing an outlet for walkers in the Greenway.

The Route 7 Expressway remains to the east of the Still River thru this section and Federal Road (Route 202) to its west. The Still River flows by the Arthur A. Harris Linear Park on its east bank and then easterly back under the Route 7 Expressway prior to reaching Silvermine Road.

The direct air line mileage from the Route 133 Bridge over the Still River northerly to the Silvermine Road Bridge is .9 miles, while the paddling distance, with extensive meanders, between the same two bridges is significantly longer at 1.37 miles. Given a paddling rule of thumb of two miles per hour, that is about a 45 minute trip on the River.

This area north of Route 133 is wet so any trail developed will need to be closed periodically during high water periods.

Moving north, trails already exist thru the Arthur Harris Linear Park and northerly along the east bank of the Still where it crosses easterly under the two bridges of the Route 7 Expressway. This trail connects the Arthur A. Harris Linear Park on the west side of Route 7 with the Brookfield Town Hall and adjacent recreation area on the east side of Route 7.

The walking distance from the rear parking lot at the Brookfield Town Hall across the recreation fields, under the sign stating “Arthur Harris Linear Park”, then on to the bank of the Still River underneath Route 7 Expressway northbound, is about 900 feet or .17 miles. The river bank here is relatively low to the water and is already fully available to anyone choosing to launch or take out a canoe or kayak.

Plans are for this location to be signed as part of the HVRT, and for this location to appear as a put in and take out point on the upcoming brochure. The mandatory take out point before the rapids to the north is only about one mile further north.

Concerning this area, in 1987 the King’s Mark Environmental Review Team prepared a planning report on the then proposed Brookfield, CT Linear Park for the Brookfield Parks and Recreation Commission (see map from report).

This research focused primarily on the Arthur Harris Park that is today east of the Route 7 Expressway in back of Brookfield Town Hall. The Commission requested an evaluation of various environmental factors including “a canoe landing and access to parking.”The study suggests two alternatives for development of a canoe take out point. Both provide closer vehicular access than the 900 feet to the Town Hall parking lot.

The first take out location would be aside the River at its easternmost point, just downstream from the Route 7 Expressway bridges. This site would be accessed from the small adjacent dirt road, now a grassed pathway, entering in to the riverbank from Silvermine Road.

For this option there would be a small turn around, alternatively entitled a “sharply curved hairpin” or cul de sac, at the end of the road to load canoes and kayaks, not for parking. As noted the actual riverside canoe take out point would be adjacent.

The second option in the 1977 study suggests using the informal road and then turning down under the Silvermine Road Bridge where there would be located vehicle parking and the actual canoe landing. The existing grassed pathway would again be developed as a road of some sort.

According to the report “While the second alternative provides better access, more design and management work would have to be done for security.” The report also states that “While canoe portage from the river up to the parking lot at the town hall is possible, it is not practical for ‘family’ recreation.”

Moving downstream, starting at the east bank river side location under the Route 7 Expressway and proceeding north for about one mile, in late 2005 the Town of Brookfield was awarded a federal grant to construct a portion of the riverbank trail proposed in the 2002 Plan of Conservation and Development.

This will be a multi-use trail, proceeding north to the River Trail’s existing take out steps on the Still River’s west bank at 777 Federal Road South.

The new trail will be designed for hiking, biking, jogging cross-country skiing and other non-motorized uses and will include the construction of a pedestrian bridge on the Still River under the Silvermine Road Bridge, using in part an old bridge foundation still existing there.

According to the grant application this trail segment is to fit precisely into the Town’s 2002 planning policy: “When fully developed, the trail will extend further south, where it will link with Danbury’s Still River Greenway, and further north toward New Milford.” The trail construction will have a fourteen foot cross section, with two two foot crushed stone shoulders and a ten foot wide paved section.

For the record, the paddle distance from the Silvermine Road Bridge north to the take out steps at the rear of 777 Federal Road South is about .86 miles.

Planned routing for the
Brookfield Still River Greenway
thru central Brookfield shown in red

2F. ON STILL RIVER IN SOUTHERN
BROOKFIELD: FROM SILVERMINE ROAD TO
EXISTING TAKE OUT STEPS AT 777 FEDERAL ROAD
As already noted the 2002 Brookfield Plan of Conservation and Development recommends a trail along the Still River here as part of Brookfield’s future trail network, and this was recently funded. For most of its route, the new trail will be paralleled on its west by the Route 7 Expressway and then old Route 7.

The trail may start at either the gazebo in the Harris Park or near the Town Hall, depending upon final plans and funding. But starting as it does in the vicinity of the Arthur A. Harris Linear Park on the River’s east bank, the new trail will need to cross the Still River on a new pedestrian bridge to reach the west bank.

This it will do just to the south of, or perhaps even directly under, Silvermine Road, crossing via a new pedestrian bridge with a minimum clear width of ten feet. The east end of the new bridge will touch down on Town owned open space or Conn DOT property, and the west end on Connecticut DOT property.

Stone abutments from the original Silvermine Road Bridge still exist under the current much higher and lengthier span of the same name. This flat, open riverside area is an attractive setting, complimented by the decorative stone work at the edges of the current Silvermine Road Bridge.

Proceeding north, the new trail will then cross a Town owned property that abuts Route 7 on its west and the Still River on its east, located near the Routes 7 and 202 interchange (Map Number 79E89, Block D09073) to the east of the Route 7 northbound off ramp.

The Town of Brookfield plans to eventually build a recreation center here, a use that will nicely stimulate riverside trail use.

Proposed Brookfield Recreation Center,
showing riverbank trail along the Still River
-- Rendering by Tara Goldberg

The new trail will provide convenient pedestrian access between the Town Hall recreation area and the new recreation center. The walking distance from the edge of the Town Hall parking lot to the new recreation center, using the proposed new pedestrian bridge, is only about six tenths of a mile. Lands west of the new riverside path will be converted from woods to recreation facilities.

The first set of light rapids then appears, as shown below in this winter scene. They are as yet unmarked, with the safest passage by boat on the east channel.

View from west bank of light rapids.

Continuing, the new federally funded trail is to hug the west bank of the Still River as much as possible, to the rear of commercial development on nearby Federal Road, as it proceeds northerly to terminate at the 777 Federal Road South commercial building.

Note that the steepness of the River bed begins to increase in this segment. Correspondingly, the width of the adjacent flood plain narrows, as the River prepares to enter a constricted gorge north of the 777 Federal Road South commercial building. Concurrently, walking north the riverbank path begins to be higher up above the water.

The west bank here is a very attractive woodsy area. Old evergreens across on the east bank are complimented by a well landscaped low density residential backyard landscape which is attractive for the entire length of the proposed trail. Bedrock again appears along the riverbank as 777 Federal Road is approached.

Land for this proposed Brookfield trail is to be solicited by donations and easements. For the most part the drainage courses crossing the proposed path will be managed by culverts rather than small pedestrian bridges.

In addition the trail alignment will be routed out of the 100 year flood boundary as much as possible. Every effort will be made to locate the trail to the west of potential vernal pools to prevent splitting of habitat.

2G. ON NORTHERN BROOKFIELD’S STILL RIVER:
RIVER TRAIL TAKE OUT STEPS AT 777 FEDERAL ROAD SOUTH
DESCRIPTION OF LOCATION OF EGRESS POINT: The River Trail take out steps are located about 900 feet before the Route 25 Bridge over the Still River and adjacent Brookfield Craft Center. The rapids become well developed at the Brookfield Craft Center and thereafter (see view of rapids at Craft Center).

The mandatory take out steps are to the rear and south side of the retail building at 777 Federal Road (Route 7), at the southernmost point adjacent to an overflow parking lot south of the commercial building. Historically a hazard, the River Trail process is the first ever effort to warn the boating public of the natural rough water here.

SIGNAGE POSTED: There are no signs denoting the River Trail. Rather a sign on the western bank about fifty feet before the take out point states “DANGER AHEAD.” Then at the take out itself, a second sign states “DANGER EXIT HERE.” Both signs include a simple and easily grasped drawing of a canoe in the midst of falling over a dam.

DATE ACCESS BUILT AND BY WHOM AND AT WHAT COST: These steps and related sign installation were completed on April 20, 2002. John Monroe of the National Park Service designed the take out steps.

Then three Brookfield senior high school students worked with John Monroe to install the staircase, a community service requirement for high school graduation. Materials included cedar logs donated by Mike McCarthy from Newtown, and steel cable and stainless steel toggles provided by the students.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: The steps are located on property owned by Paul Scalzo and thus the steps are now owned by him. There was a verbal agreement with Mr. Scalzo to permit HVRT to build the steps. An easement to the Town of Brookfield was agreed to by both parties but has not yet been completed.

AGREEMENTS FOR PARKING: There are no dedicated parking spaces and the issue of parking was never formalized by an agreement. The parking is not on Paul Scalzo’s land and needs to be researched.

The Town of Brookfield will also need to plan parking here for the terminus of its new multi-use trail, thus all recreational parking needs will be addressed comprehensively. The parking here now is lightly used and is set up for possible overflow parking from the 777 Federal Road South retail building.

TYPE OF MAINTENANCE NEEDED AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR: There is no formalized maintenance as of yet. However, this feature will be on the new Brookfield multi-use trail, which will have a maintenance schedule. An effort should be made to include this feature.

RELATIONSHIP TO RIVERBANK TRAIL: The federally funded multi-use trail arriving from the south on the Still River’s west bank will temporarily terminate at this location.

Brookfield’s long range trail plan calls for it to continue northward on the River’s west bank into New Milford. Also, Town’s 2006 draft plan for the adjacent Brookfield Village places this west bank trail on that plan's map.

This means that upon adoption of the Plan map as part of the town plan of conservation and development, property owners will be encouraged by the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commissions to incorporate the trail into their riverside development site plans.

However, as recommended by the 6/2006 KEC (Kozuchowski Environmental Services) report to Brookfield and New Milford, the priority for greenway extension from this point northerly into New Milford should be on the east riverbank, not the west.

This means that the Brookfield plans identifying a pathway on the west bank from 777 Federal Road north thru the Brookfield Crafts Center parking lot are still viable. However, the priority for construction after Route 25 that point is via Tuck Road and the east bank of the Still.

Details of this will be explained below. A dual greenway on both the east and west banks thru the remainder of Brookfield is still feasible and desirable, and can be retained in priority order in local planning documents.

2H. ON NORTHERN BROOKFIELD’S
STILL RIVER: NO PADDLING ZONE
While the area upstream from the 777 Federal Road South take out location has never been navigable in the past, as noted above the HVRT is the first effort to include signs on the River to this effect. The elevation of the Still River drops fairly rapidly thru this section. The U.S. Geological Society provides live measurements of daily streamflow at this location.

The original HVRT brochure stated that just downstream from the take out point there are “Dangerous rapids and dams. Paddlers must exit and reenter north of Brookfield Four Corners.” The brochure map also includes a red STOP sign with the notation MUST EXIT HERE.

As an historic note, the Brookfield Craft Center fronting on the Still River and Route 25 was once a grist mill with a water wheel tapping the rapid flow here until 1920. The mill’s dam remained here until damaged by Hurricane Diane in 1955 and was removed thereafter.

While paddling is inappropriate near the Craft Center, as noted above both Brookfield’s 2001 long range trail plan and draft 2006 Brookfield Village Plan call for pedestrian trail continuation northward along the west bank of the Still River into New Milford.

The distance along the Still River, not meandering now that it is in this steep section, from the Route 25 Bridge northerly to the first dam is only about 400 feet, or less than one tenth of a mile. The Still River elevation at the top of the dam is 250 feet. A landmark on the east bank between the two dams is the A. J. Tuck Company, an electroplating business, operating here since 1925.

View of the historic AJ Tuck mill dam, on a
segment of the Still River off limits to paddlers.

The distance from Route 25 northerly to the second dam is a little over four tenths of a mile, with the water elevation at the top of that dam at 225 feet. After this second dam the Still River is then free of rapids until the vicinity of Harrybrooke Park in New Milford.

An estimate of the length of the no paddling zone on the Still River from 777 Federal Road northerly to the upcoming Newbury Village Condominium put in location is .74 miles. A portage is required for this significant segment.

This housing complex fronts on a relatively placid section of the Still River between the 225 and 220 foot contour lines. It is well downstream of the non-navigable upstream gorge area with its rapids and two dams.

SIGNAGE POSTED: The decision as to appropriate signage is in the discussion stage.

DATE ACCESS BUILT, BY WHOM AND AT WHAT COST: A CT DEP Recreational Trails grant for $14,160 has been awarded to King’s Mark to design and construct a put in ramp at this location. This may occur as early as 2007.

However, a corresponding take out point needs to be in operation downstream before this put in can be constructed. This is for the simple reason that there will otherwise be no point of exit prior to the rapids by Harrybrooke Park downstream.

PROPERTY OWNER AND TYPE OF AGREEMENT: Martin Handshy and Dennis Stone are the developers of this upscale age 55 and over condominium complex. Thinking ahead, in its approval process the Brookfield Zoning Commission negotiated for and received an easement in favor of the Town for a canoe and kayak ramp on the property (Permit # 200200697, page 4).

It states part that "The applicant shall provide an easement,.... for the following purpose: an area, in size and location mutually acceptable, on the shores of the Still River, to be used for recreational purposes such as canoe and kayak launching,etc. and the right of vehicle access thereto."

AGREEMENT FOR PARKING: Right of access by vehicles is included in the Brookfield Zoning Commission special permit.

TYPE OF MAINTENANCE NEEDED AND RESPONSIBILITY: As an improvement to their property it is expected that the condominium association will provide maintenance. This has been discussed with Dennis Stone and Martin Handshy but has not yet been verified in writing.

The easement for the ramp, short segment of riverside trail and public ramp access will be to the Town of Brookfield. As noted above vehicular access to the parking and ramp is required, as part of the permit, to avoid walkers thru the Village.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Plans are for a segment of the Brookfield multi-use trail to be provided on the west bank in conjunction with the Kings Mark ramp installation. This will also provide access for periodic volunteer cleaning of the Still River embankment in this location.

However, a downstream take out point is needed before this put in point can be constructed. The distance from the Newbury Village put in point to the downstream Still River Preserve at the New Milford Line is about 1.18 miles. This is a short paddle if proceeding at two miles per hour. However, such a paddle if coupled with a walk through the Still River Preserve could easily take significantly longer and thus be more appealing.

Alternatively, the paddle distance from the proposed put in location at the Newbury Village Condos in northern Brookfield, passing the Still River Preserve and continuing on to the Regional Animal Control Shelter downstream in New Milford, is 2.93 miles.

Planned routing for the
Brookfield Still River Greenway thru
northern Brookfield into New Milford shown in red

2J. PLAN TO EXTEND GREENWAY ON THE
EAST BANK OF STILL RIVER TO NEW MILFORD
On May 23, 2007, HVCEO staff, including its river trail (Peg Daley) and greenway design (Jack Kozuchowski of KEC) contractors, presented the 3/2007 draft of the Still River Greenway Report to Town officials from Brookfield and New Milford. One of the focal points of discussion was the comparative analysis of the alternative west bank and east bank corridors from Route 25 northward in Brookfield.

Following the meeting, the Brookfield First Selectman and Park and Recreation Director endorsed KEC's recommended option of creating the Greenway corridor on west bank of the Still River, while keeping the re-access to the River trail, after the portage upstream of the dams, at Newbury Village on the east side.

Key reasons for choosing the east bank, detailed in the 3/2007 report, included relative costs, safety concerns and the ease of dealing with fewer private property owners for easements.

Edited excerpts from the 3/2007 Greenway report regarding development of the east bank Greenway in Brookfield are as follows:

CORRIDOR CHARACTERIZATION: Starting at its southern access location, the preferred east bank Greenway route proceeds either from a proposed parking near the old Railroad Station Building or from a proposed parking area at the AJ Tuck’s property. In the first case the Greenway route will traverse Tuck Road for approximately 600 feet before entering the open space north of AJ Tuck Company, near proposed parking area there. If proposed parking area AJ Tuck is negotiated, then the Greenway enters the open space north of AJ Tuck directly.

The pedestrian route travels adjacent to the railroad property on lot D06 063 (property n/f owned by AJ Tuck), approximately 30 feet to the north of the proposed parking area at AJ Tuck. This is a ridge that is approximately 150 feet from the Still River. Although the view of the river is somewhat limited due to forest cover, and not nearly as dramatic as the walk along the western side, the presence of the watercourse is very evident and the area is scenic.

Approximately 150 to 200 feet north of the entry point into lot D06 063, the gradient from the ridge to the Still River tapers and the Greenway trail would traverse diagonally down slope in a northwesterly direction. From this point to the terminus, the Greenway trail would stay close to the east shore of the Still River.

There are two small tributaries to the Still River bisecting the corridor, requiring boardwalk crossings. Also, the entire stretch adjacent to the River is a floodplain that periodically inundates with water from storm events. The costly endeavor of raising the walkway above the floodplain by an elevated boardwalk can be avoided by providing notice in all documentation for the trail that it is closed following major storm events.

Typically, the periodic flooding from storm events recedes within 24 to 48 hours. Placing water elevation markers at strategic locations that notify the user that the trail is closed when a specified water mark on a pole is submerged can also reinforce this policy.

Approximately 1700 to 1800 feet north of the decent to the floodplain, the Greenway enters the property of the Still River Preserve, owned and managed by the Weantinogue Land Trust. Fortunately there is an established trail through the entire length of the property along the River.

At one location, the Weantinogue trail detours slightly east, away from the Still River, to pass through a managed meadow, which is an environmental point of interest, as discussed below. The meadow is approximately one acre in size and is enclosed by a palustrine floodplain.

After exiting the north end of the meadow, the trail returns to the edge of the River, crosses a tributary on a boardwalk plank crossing and exits Brookfield at the New Milford border. Here the proposed Greenway passes the abandoned Aldrich Road Bridge to the west. While both ends of this bridge are in Brookfield, crossing it and traveling westward the old Aldrich Road right of way soon enters New Milford and intersects with Route 7.

Brookfield's old Aldrich Road Bridge,
a potential Still River Greenway segment

Refurbishment will be required for this bridge only if a parking access area or pedestrian entryway is desired to enter in easterly off of Route 7 in New Milford. Otherwise the Greenway trail user will continue north into New Milford on the east bank of the Still River, and the old Aldrich Road bridge will play no role.

ENVIRONMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS AND POINTS OF INTEREST. The proposed Greenway starts near the site of a historic mill site. However, the walkway from the AJ Tuck parking lot site detours this dam, such that a side trail would need to be developed to view the dam, if an environmental point of interest is established here.

The walkway passes through a combination of upland mixed mesiphytic forest, riverine floodplain, some pockets of palustrine wetlands, scrub shrub woodland and a 1-acre meadow. This is a rich combination of habitats, particularly near the meadow, as discussed below. Also noteworthy as a general note, is the relative remote and quiet character of the entire area of the east bank corridor.

All of the properties here are currently undeveloped and isolated by the River on the west and the railroad tracks on the east. The Town of Brookfield should strive for as much easement protection for these properties as possible.

The upland forest along the top of the ridge is one of the few sections of the Greenway that traverse this type of habitat. Hence, the entry into this upland woodland should be noted with environmental education signage. As the walkway descends to the floodplain, it enters the gateway of a more water based environment, which should also be noted with environmental education signs.

Once reaching the Weantinogue property, the meadow site, which the trail passes through, is particularly noteworthy. Encircled by scrub shrub, floodplain and palustrine swamp environments and in close proximity to the River itself, this area represents a very good example of multiple “ecotones”: defined as edges between different habitats where wildlife diversity is rich and environmental sensitivity is high.

It is recommended that the meadow be established as an environmental education laboratory that include passive self guided environmental observation stations as well as programmatic outreach opportunities for area schools. The area can be enhanced for environmental observations and research with minor construction of wildlife viewing blinds.

Finally, it should be noted that the Greenway trail passes very close to the Still River itself for large stretches of the east bank alternative, offering opportunities to explain the dynamics of this riverine habitat and the history of pollution and restoration.

TRAIL CLEARING REQUIREMENTS: The development of a functional walking trail requires an initial clearing of a five foot pathway, including chain saw work, trimming, loading, disposal and surface compaction.

An estimate of $1.50 per linear foot was provided by a by a local landscape / construction contractor who visited all areas of the proposed Greenway. The clearing costs for the recommended east bank Greenway trail will be approximately $9,000.

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS. Construction requirements along this segment are relatively modest and in some cases optional. If the Greenway project intends to take recreational users to view the dam, a side spur down the slope of property would require the creation of a serpentine trail up/down the ridge that may require water breaks and delicate construction to avoid erosion.

The other optional feature is use of the old Aldrich Road Bridge, if a parking access near Route 7 at the entry point of the Still River Preserve on the old Aldrich Road is created. Public use of this bridge may require refurbishment to allow continual use.

The clearing of a 5 to 10 foot trail corridor is required initially and would have to be periodically maintained on an annual basis. There are two tributaries that require boardwalk crossings, one at the southern border of the Still River Preserve and a second near the Aldrich Road foot bridge. All of these boardwalk sections need to be anchored to the floodplain.

A contractor estimated the construction of 10 foot long sections of these crossings at $300 per unit. Hence, the estimated cost for this item for the east bank corridor will be approximately $600. Finally, installation of environmental education signs along the entire length of the Greenway and the construction of bird blinds on and around the meadow will enrich the Greenway as a public environmental resource.

Finally, construction of a separate boat launch area on the east bank of the River is not necessary. The River Trail can still proceed with the construction of the boat launch at Newbury Village.

PARKING LOT ACCESS. The southern end of the east bank segment has direct access to a potential d parking lot to be negotiated with AJ Tuck Company on the Company's property. This is approximately 200 feet from a proposed parking location at the old Brookfield Railroad Station.

Possible parking on AJ Tuck property at left,
or near old Brookfield Railroad Station at right.

The northern end of the east bank Greenway corridor can be reached via a potential parking lot ON OFF Aldrich Road on Weantinogue property in New Milford, alternatively via a potential lot in New Milford west of the Old Aldrich Road Bridge. THIS NEEDS CLARIFICATION

Note also the need for continued parking access at 777 Federal Road.

EASEMENT REQUIREMENTS. The GIS map lists the easement or acquisition corridors that will be need on each property for the east bank, and are contained in the mail report.

Trail Maintenance. Once the trail is constructed there is a need for on-going maintenance to maintain its functionality. The Greenway Trail will require an annual inspection, recommended for each Spring, and a scheduled mowing and brush clearing schedule at least three times per year.

This can be institutionalized through a “Management/Maintenance Manual” and an annual commitment from the Town of Brookfield to fund this service through its budget.

Although volunteer clean-up days can be utilized as events to engage citizens in the work to maintain selected segments of the Trail, relying on volunteers is not a feasible option for maintaining the clearance of the full corridor throughout the year. The scope of this work is too large for volunteer work.

Maintenance of the River Trail is more complex. Unlike the Greenway path, which can still be traversed, between scheduled maintenance work, when brush overgrowth or tree blow down occurs, a blockage on the River will stop boating access and presents a potential safety hazard to users.

Currently, the manager of the River Trail periodically checks the condition of the River and coordinates volunteer groups for litter clean up. Also Eastern Mountain Sports has, since 2005, sponsored an annual River clean up day in May.

However, such volunteer efforts are keyed to litter removal. Tree blockages need to be contracted to a logging firm. Hence, the “Management/Maintenance Manual” needs to address this critical issue for the future functionality of the River Trail.

This will require an annual commitment to retain the services of a logging contractor, or a similar firm that has experience in clearing blockages, to clear blockages as needed, as well as a volunteer “River keeper team” - experienced paddlers whose would be responsible of periodic checks for obstructions.

This Still River inventory continues into New Milford.

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