Hartford Riverwalk is expanding thanks to grant funding
The Hartford Riverwalk is expanding as local leaders unveiled new plans Monday for growing the 135-year-old trail, which run 3.4 miles along the Connecticut River.
Soon, it will grow by another 2.2 miles.
The riverwalk is especially popular in the summertime, when the cool breeze from the river helps people get outside without overheating.
And there's no shortage of views- between the trees, the plants and of course, the river. That's why Dominic Laird said he chooses the trail over a gym.
"I like coming out here to work out. Settles me down," Laird said.
All the reasons people like Laird love the trail are all the same reasons local leaders want to extend it.
"It's a river that just doesn't run through us, it unites us," Rep. John Larson said.
Thanks to private funding, along with a state grant of $517,519 from Gov. Ned Lamont's office, expanding the trail is becoming a reality.
Riverfront Recapture is the nonprofit working on the extension project and their president and CEO, Michael Zaleski, said it's going to be extension that focuses on accessibility.
"Multi-modal river walk trail that will extend more than two miles to the north. It will connect to a wonderful new riverfront park that we are building, the town of Windsor, and ultimately Windosr Meadows State Park. Ultimately connecting almost a dozen miles of riverwalk connectivity in Greater Hartford," Zaleski said.
The riverwalk expansion will also have new benches, scenic overlooks and signs that teach folks about the history of the river. The goal is to make it easier than ever to be connected to the river.
"Connecticut is unique and the reason we're ranked so highly for hiking is it's accessible. It's easy to get to. You could, you know, go from the high school here right up to Windsor and you could ride your bike from Windsor, be at work at Travelers," Lamont said.
Right now, the city hopes to start construction in about 18 months and complete the entire project in about two years.