“Nobody knows it’s here…”
“Nobody knows it’s here…”
Proposed trail highlights hidden beauty behind Target
From DVDs and diapers to paninis, pasta and apparel, North Haven’s Universal Drive shopping area has much to offer, and if the efforts of a dedicated group of North Haven residents succeed, it may soon proffer a new opportunity of a wilder kind.
Tucked behind Target, across an empty parking lot, a small path leads through the trees and opens to stunning views and alluring possibilities for bird-watching, walking, cycling, launching canoes or nature study along the banks of the Quinnipiac River marsh.
“Nobody knows it’s here,” said Don Rocklin, a member of the North Haven Trail Association, a volunteer-led group working to turn the foot path into a full-fledged recreational trail along the River. Indeed, the shopping center’s buildings turn their back on the scenic marshland, which, according to Association president Steve Fontana, is their loss.
The North Haven Trail Association came together in 2007 with an ambitious long-term goal of creating trails on both the east and west sides of the North Haven section of the Quinnipiac. The group originally focused on a deep woods and meadow trail near Valley Service Road that would link with the Quinnipiac River trails in Meriden and Wallingford. While this area remains on the radar, the development of the Universal Drive shopping area shifted their focus to this more popular destination.
“It’s right in our backyard,” said Pat Bartek, a North Haven resident and member of the Association, explaining her motivation is to “to respect, value and save the green parts of town.”
The proposed trail begins behind Target and follows the Quinnipiac River tidal marsh south for one mile. In subsequent stages of development, the trail would continue north behind Best Buy, Barnes and Noble and the movie theater.
On Saturday, June 1, the North Haven Trail Association participated in National Trails Day and celebrated the marshland’s aviary opportunities by hosting a bird-viewing hike in the area. Led by Florence McBride of the New Haven Bird Club, the hike drew 35 binocular-bearing bird and trail enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of warblers, egrets and even the bald eagles that nest in the area.
Other North Haven Trail Association events have included cleanup days and an Earth Day hike exploring the marshland’s history, including the mysterious railway remnants in the area. And these activities are only the beginning as the Association works to create a town and regional resource – one that will benefit nearby businesses and real estate values, while promoting physical fitness and environmental appreciation.
Since 2008, the North Haven Trail Association has received $18,000 from the Quinnipiac River Fund to help expand Quinnipiac River access and appreciation. The funds have been used for research and wetlands mapping and surveying. For more information about the Association, visit www.northhaventrails.org.