After a two year lull, plans for a 56-mile greenway from Torrington to Derby are starting to accelerate. First, the contract for the greenway project through Waterbury has been approved by the Board of Aldermen, and Mayor Neil O’Leary, and is entering a year-long design phase. While other towns dream of having their own greenway along the Naugatuck River, Waterbury’s project is sitting on nearly $7 million in funding. It is real, and it is going to happen.
To continue to draw attention to the rebirth of the Naugatuck River a small cadre of bicyclists are going to cruise the 56 mile stretch from Torrington to Derby on September 23rd in an event named “Explore the Naugatuck.”
Jim O’Rourke, the executive director of the Waterbury YMCA will lead the group of bicyclists on the 56 mile ride from Torrington to Derby. Photograph by John Murray
Led by members of the Waterbury YMCA the event is part of a National park Service initiative called “America’s Great Outdoors.” Small events will be held in every town along the route, and Waterbury is hosting a big event “Waterbury On Wheels”, from 11 am to 2 pm on the Green in downtown Waterbury. See the flyer posted here for more details. Like a bike gliding down a hill, the greenway project along the Naugatuck River continues to accelerate. Come join the party, September 23rd, and keep the momentum going.