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Latest Elementary School Trail Map - click here

NEW! Trail Map - Blackledge Greenway Trail

The Nature Trails and Sidewalk Commission is an advisory commission to the Board of Selectmen, created in January 2006. In the broadest sense, the Commission’s function is to assist in the development of a more pedestrian friendly Marlborough. As the name of the Commission implies, two of its specific purposes are to provide input and guidance regarding the development of a trail and sidewalk network in Marlborough. 

Commission Members:

Chairman
E. Russell Johnston III,  -  42 Dickenson Rd - 1/14

Sherry Newman - 50 South Buckboard Ln - 1/13
Christine Rich - 12 Sandy Lane - 1/14
John L. Kaplan - 188 North Main St - 1/13
Adam Thime - 39 Roberts Rd. 1/13

Alternates:
Louise Concodello - 70 Millstone Dr - 1/13
Betty O'Brien - 176 North Main St - 1/14
Marc Muldoon - 21 Hemlock Drive - 1/2013
Contact:  Peter Hughes, Planning and Development Director, Town Hall, 860-295-6202

Meeting Information:  Meetings are held at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except as noted).

2012 Meeting Dates: January 25, February 22, March28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 22, September 26, October 24, November 28.*No Dec meeting 

Project Highlights:

School Drive Sidewalk

A new sidewalk along the south side of School Drive from the elementary school to the library was completed in 2008.

Two concrete block retaining walls with a natural stone look and metal railing was constructed to minimize the impacts to the wetlands near the library.   The sidewalk was extended eastward along School Drive connect to the trailhead of the Elementary School Nature Trail system at the edge of the school parking lot. 

This sidewalk will enhance pedestrian safety along School Drive and encourage walking between the library, senior center, and elementary school.  The project was funded as part of the $775,000 received from two Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants the Town received from the State of Connecticut.

Town Center Improvement Project

Work was completed in 2010 on the Town Center Improvement Project consisting of the relocation of Jones Hollow Road further away from Route 66, Town Green enhancements, sidewalks, stonewalls, and landscaping.  This project was primarily funded by a $900,000 State STEAP grant that the town received.

The Town Center Improvement Project includes

• Larger Town Green, unbroken by Jones Hollow Road.
• Moving the War Memorial from the Town Hall to the Town Green
• Transfer of the land of the former roadbed of Jones Hollow Road from the State to the Town
• Increased traffic queuing space on North Main Street.
• Enhanced parking at the Town Hall
• Sidewalks within the Town Green and on North/South Main Street from the Town Hall to the Congregational Church to provide for pedestrian access to the commercial developments along South Main Street.
• Pedestrian signals and crosswalks at the Route 66, North/South Main Street intersection.
• Addition of left turn lanes and signals on both North and South Main Street at the Route 66 intersection.
• New community events sign.
• New lamp post lighting
• New benches and engraved brick walks.

 Elementary School Nature Trail

Over two miles of paved and stone dust nature trails have been designed, approved, and are ready to be constructed on Town open space to the south and west of the Elementary School.  Existing footpath trails constructed in the early 1990s will be enhanced and new trails and interconnecting loop trails will be added.   Using existing State grant funds, 4,400 feet of trail has been constructed as of spring 2009, including trails adjacent to a vernal pool.     In April 2009, a Marlborough Eagle Scout project installed twenty interpretive signs along these trails depicting notable landmarks and natural elements.

 Blackledge River Greenway – West Road to North Parker Road

The Blackledge River Greenway will eventually be an eight mile long north-south trail that will extend from Glastonbury to Colchester.   It has been designated as an official Connecticut Greenway by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (ConnDEP).   Construction of the 9000 foot long West Road to North Parker Road section of this greenway consists of three phases extending through Town open space and existing public-access conservation easements.   The design for all three phases is complete and construction has begun.

Phase I of this section was constructed in 2009 and begins at a small gravel parking area at West Road.  The trail then continues about 3,300 feet south and east through Town open space.  It utilizes a public-access conservation easement west of Fox Meadow to a new bridge across the Foot Sawmill Brook.  Funding for this construction was from a $48,000 grant from the ConnDep

Phase II will begin at North Parker Road and extend north and west about 2400 feet.

Phase III will complete the approximately 3300 foot long center portion to connect Phase I and Phase II.

 Recreational Trail Master Plan

This commission has developed a master plan to help guide future trail development in Marlborough.  Connections to existing/planned trails in all four surrounding Towns are sought, and the usage of natural corridors is preferred.  Many of the trails would be located in existing State Forest and/or Town open space, while other trails would utilize conservation easements through new and existing developments.  Click on the image of the cover to view the plan.

Exit 12 Bus Stop Safety Improvements

Bus stop safety improvements were completed during the summer of 2010 for the afternoon eastbound CT Transit commuter bus that serves the "park and ride" lots at Route 2 Exit 12, on the side of North Main Street just south of West Road.  Prior to the improvements, the passengers had to cross North Main Street in front of the bus while cars are trying to pass the bus.  The construction has provided a designated bus stop area and sidewalks extending from the bus stop to the commuter parking lots.  People now cross North Main Street at a new crosswalk in back of the bus where visibility for both the pedestrians and cars is available.