Along the Shoreline Tabor Trail

“This is our pride and joy,” said Judy Miller as she viewed sketches of Branford’s proposed Shoreline Greenway Trail (SGT) between Tabor Drive and Pine Orchard Road.

Miller shared her feelings about the trail with the Eagle prior to the public information meeting at Fire Headquarters Wednesday evening. Although it only measures about .6 of a mile, the Tabor section will be an integral part of the proposed 25-mile hiking and biking trail that would extend from Lighthouse Point in New Haven to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.

Miller said in addition to having scenic views, the Tabor section will be one of the few Branford trails that is handicapped-accessible. She said the area is also meaningful because it passes picturesque Chet’s Pond — the pond dedicated to Chet Blomquist, who served many years with Miller as co-chair of the Branford SGT team. Blomquist was honored by the town in 2011 as a trailblazerfor his efforts to establish a 28-mile walking trail along Branford’s perimeter, and for his work with the SGT.

Blomquist later told the Eagle he’s happy the trail is becoming a reality ​“I’ve been in it since the beginning,” he said. ​“It’s good to see it getting somewhere.”

Miller, who also chairs the SGT board of directors, told the audience that about 50 percent of the proposed 25-mile trail has been approved or developed.

Designing the Tabor Trail

Town Engineer Janice Plaziak, who organized the informational meeting, said this is the time for people to ask questions or make comments. ​“We’re culminating preliminary designs for this section of the trail, and we’re required to reach out to the public and make sure the public is aware of the project.… It’s important to pause to get any input that we can,” she said.

The estimated base cost for the Tabor section is $440,000, with 80 percent funding by the Federal Highway Administration, and 20 percent from Branford and state bond funds.

This section of the trail will cross a portion of the town-owned 77-acre Tabor Drive property, and end at Pine Orchard Road, near the Birch Road section which is almost complete.

“It would be our desire to make that connection,” said engineer Kent Gannon of Stantec Inc. The additional cost for connecting the Tabor and Birch Road sections would be about $140,000.

Gannon, pictured above, said the Tabor trail, which is fairly flat, will be 10 feet wide, with 2‑foot grass buffers on each side. He said since the property is town-owned, there is no need to acquire property rights-of-way. Gannon said the basic plans call for covering the trail with ​“highly-compacted” stone dust instead of paving, but an alternate plan to pave the trail would cost an additional $60,000.

The new trail will follow a temporary trail on the Tabor property that was created by the SGT team.

Plans call for small parking lots at Tabor Drive and Pine Orchard Road which would be constructed by the town. Those costs are not part of the project cost estimates.

“There will be minor wetland impact,” Gannon said, explaining that the project will need permits from the Inland Wetlands Commission, and a review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Gannon said the final designs could be complete by spring 2017; with construction beginning by late spring 2017.

Several questions were asked about the trail, including who would be responsible for maintenance.

“Ultimately the town of Branford is responsible for maintenance of the project since it’s funded federally, but the Greenway Trail has dedicated their services to help maintain the trails,” Plaziak said.

What if Tabor Land is sold?

In response to a question about what would happen if the Tabor property was sold or developed, Plaziak said ​“If we were to sell the property, we would put an easement to maintain the trail property.”

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said he doesn’t foresee any sale of the property in the next 10 years, but added that the trail ​“could be an asset, depending on what type of development it is,” Cosgrove said.

Plans for a 10-acre portion of the 77-acre Tabor property were discussed a few years ago when the site was proposed for construction of the town’s new public works building during the Unk DaRos administration. However, the site was rejected after extensive opposition by neighbors.

A master plan for the Tabor property at that time called for a baseball field, softball field, a multi-purpose field, a concession building and restrooms, a BMX bicycle park, connections to walking trails, and the public works facility. Those plans were shelved. The public works facility is still operating out of a rental facility. 

Plaziak said most towns see trails as an asset. She said the Tabor trail plans have met with approval so far. ​“I haven’t received any negative comments yet,” she said.

Comments may be sent in writing to Town Engineer Janice Plaziak, 1019 Main St., Branford, no later than Nov. 2.

Further information about the project can be found on the engineering department section of the town’s web site. Additional information about SGT can be found at www.shorelinegreenwaytrail.org

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