Hartford Riverwalk To Extend Into Neighboring Windsor Along Connecticut River

A historic and scenic walkway along the Connecticut River is about to grow by more than two miles, as local and state leaders announced new funding this week to expand the Hartford Riverwalk into the neighboring town of Windsor.

The project is being funded through a combination of state and federal grants, including a $517,519 allocation from Gov. Ned Lamont’s office and a $2.6 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program. 

“This ‘Joe Marfuggi Walk’ will help connect communities in the city of Hartford to the incredible beauty and nature that exists in our city and has existed for centuries,” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, D-Hartford, said Monday during a press conference on the banks of the Connecticut River.

The new stretch will add approximately 2.5 miles of trail, linking the existing Riverwalk at the Greater Hartford Jaycees Community Boathouse in Riverside Park northward to the recently completed Windsor Riverwalk. The path will pass through both public and private lands, including property owned by the Russo family, and traverse Windsor Meadows State Park.

“It’s a river that just doesn’t run through us, it unites us,” U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, said. 

The expansion will include new amenities such as benches, scenic overlooks, and educational signage about the river’s history. Michael Zaleski, president and CEO of Riverfront Recapture, said accessibility is a key focus of the project.

“[It’s a] 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 Windsor Meadows State Park, ultimately connecting almost a dozen miles of riverwalk connectivity in Greater Hartford,” he said.

According to Riverfront Recapture’s website, the City of Hartford will provide a $632,000 local match toward the federal grant that combined will cover most of the projected $3.2 million cost, excluding construction administration, inflation, and contingency. 

The group also stated Amtrak would contribute indirectly, building new sidewalks along Meadow Street at no cost to either Hartford or Windsor, connecting the Riverwalk to Keney Park.

“Connecticut is unique and the reason we’re ranked so highly for hiking is it’s accessible,” Lamont said. “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.”

Construction is expected to begin in about 18 months, with completion targeted within two years.