By Jude Mead

After more than a decade of planning, permiting and redesign work, Norfolk’s long-await-ed Rails-to-Trails initiative has reached a major milestone, bringing the community closer to the creation of a new multi-use recreational trail along a historic railroad corridor.

The project is the North Brook Trail, a planned three-quarter-mile ADA-accessi-ble pathway that will follow a portion of the former Central New England Railroad bed between Route 272 North and Ashpohtag Road. The trail is intended to provide safe public access to one of Norfolk’s most scenic natural areas and will offer walking, cycling, wildlife observation and outdoor education.

The Norfolk Rails-to-Trails Committee, established in 2015, received welcome news earlier this year when the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a long-awaited permit allowing construction to move forward. The approval ended years of delays caused by changes in state permitting procedures and environmental reviews.

Committee members say the project has faced numerous challenges. Among the most significant were changes in wetland conditions caused by beaver activity, which altered water levels along the proposed route. Engineers were required to redesign portions of the trail, including extending a planned board-walk crossing from approximately 150 feet to 275 feet and raising sections of the trail to meet environmental requirements.

Despite those setbacks, project leaders remain optimistic. Robert Gilchrest, chairman of the Rails-to-Trails Committee, said the recent progress reflects years of persistence by volunteers and supporters. “It’s been a long and frustrating road, but our determination and hard work are finally paying off,” Gilchrest said.

The town had previously secured nearly $400,000 through Connecticut’s Recreational Trails Program to support construction. Additional funding has been pursued to address rising construction costs and design changes that occurred during the lengthy approval process. The project entered the bidding phase this spring, with contractors invited to submit proposals for trail construction. The plans include a trail along the former railroad line, a small parking area, boardwalk sections, and several crossings over streams and drainage areas. If funding and scheduling remain on track, visible construction activity could begin soon.

Meanwhile the committee went ahead and has awarded a $774,406 contract to Yield Industries for construction of the North Brook Trail and is now weighing how to proceed while awaiting word on a $226,000 state grant to cover rising project costs. If the additional grant is not awarded before construction begins, the town may need to authorize short-term borrowing to pay the contractor until state reimbursement is received.

Gilchrest said the committee hopes the first phase of construction will serve as a foundation for future expansion. “Our goal is to build the first section of trail this year with the expectation of securing additional funding, which will allow us to eventually connect the North Brook Trail with the center of town,” he said. For many residents, the latest developments represent a long-awaited turning point. The trail will not only create opportunities for recreation and visitors seeking accessible outdoor experiences, but it will also preserve historic transportation corridors. The Norfolk Rails-to-Trails Committee continues to meet monthly and welcomes public participation as the project advances from planning to construction. The committee meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Norfolk Town Hall. All are welcome to attend.