Nature Trails and Sidewalk Commission

The Nature Trails and Sidewalk Commission (NTSC) 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.  This Commission meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm in Town Hall.

Projects:

Town Center Improvement Project

Work was completed in 2010 on the Town Center Improvement Project that provided for:

• 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
• 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

 Sidewalks

Starting with the construction of a single sidewalk along School Drive in 2007 the Town sidewalk network has grown to encompass the commercial development in the Town center, the Library, senior center, elementary school, medical center, churches, as well as residential areas along North Main Street. Click on the Sidewalk Sketch in the Related Links for a color coded sketch of the current sidewalk network.

Exit 12 Bus Stop Safety Improvements

Bus stop safety improvements were completed in 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.   More recently, a sidewalk has been extended along West Road under the Route 2 bridge to provide for pedestrians using the commuter lot along the Route 2 on-ramp.

Elementary School Trails

Over two miles of paved and gravel nature trails have been constructed with in the Town open space to the south and west of the Elementary School. Additional existing footpath trails constructed in the early 1990s have been cleared providing even more hiking options. In 2009, a Marlborough Eagle Scout project installed twenty interpretive signs along the "Panther Path" portion of these trails, depicting notable landmarks and natural features. The Interpretive Signs map and information sheets were developed.

In 2023, a new blue blazed trail was created further in the woods adding another approximately 0.60 miles of hiking trails. In addition, this blue trail takes you to four historic features including the ruins of the old J.W. Day Cotton Mill. The elementary School Trails map has been updated to depict the location of these features and a Historic Features information sheet has been prepared. 

Click on Trail Maps in the Related Links for all current trail maps. 

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 Energy and Environmental Protection (ConnDEEP).   Starting at a trailhead parking lot at West Road, approximately 0.6 miles of the greenway has been constructed with the remaining 0.7 miles to North Parker Road cleared as a footpath.   Along this section of the greenway is a glacial kettle and a large glacial erratic boulder as well as two bridges.

Click on Trail Maps in the Related Links for all current trail maps.

Ogden Lord Road Open Space Trails

A new hiking trail network is being constructed on the Ogden Lord Open Space parcel at the southeast corner of Ogden Lord Road and Flood Road. A short "Red Trail" is completed and open for hiking. This red blazed trail begins at the parking area off of Ogden Lord Road and makes a relatively easy 1/4 mile loop. Work is currently underway on the construction of a longer "Blue Trail" that will extend deep into the open space, crossing a brook, passing thru mountain laurel, and extend along old wheel paths before returning to the parking area.

Click on Trail Maps in the Related Links for all current trail maps.

 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 Recreational Trail Master Plan in the Related Links for a copy of the current plan.

 Members:
E. Russell Johnston III (R) 2026
Sherry Newman (D) 2025
Louise Concodello (R) 2025
Jason Close (U) 2024
Anna Holden (D) 2026