Special Edition of The What: Exploring Southwest Connecticut
This is a special edition of The What, our free weekly newsletter, focusing on some fun ways to explore southwest Connecticut.
Monday, February 17
Happy Monday! While a lot of our work focuses on examining challenges and issues facing our region—as well as some solutions!—we also like the opportunity to highlight some of the fun, amazing, beautiful parts of southwest Connecticut. So let’s dive into some areas you can explore around you.
Walk Along the Norwalk River Valley Trail.
We know it’s winter, but if you’re looking to get outside, check out the Norwalk River Valley Trail, which has portions that are complete in Norwalk and Wilton in our area. But more connections are on the way.
Representative Jim Himes announced recently that the 30-mile trail would receive a $4.5 million federal RAISE—Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program—grant, which would be used to cover the planning and design work needed to finish the trail.
“I’m overjoyed that I was able to support WestCOG and the Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail in securing $4.5 million in federal funding so that they can complete work on what will be the longest bicycle and pedestrian trail in Fairfield County,” Himes said in a statement.
In addition, Norwalk recently approved funding to design an important link of the trail, connecting the city up to Wilton.
Try a new brewery.
At least 125 craft breweries across Connecticut have helped bring $753 million into the state’s economy, according to a 2023 report from the Brewers Association. In our region, there are at least seven craft breweries, and those breweries have continued to evolve, change, and grow over the past few years, growing to include event spaces, holiday markets, and more.
See the latest in craft beer news around our region.
Check out some public art.
Across southwest Connecticut, artists are painting new murals, communities are establishing arts and cultural districts, and municipalities are seeking grant funding to create more public art. Officials throughout the region believe art can help connect parts of the city or town together, turn places into destinations for visitors, and provide a sense of community.
Marc Alan, a member of the Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission, pointed to a new mural as an example of how public art is a benefit to the city.
“This is what we’re talking about, investing in public art as a draw for cultural tourism, and it’s absolutely been proven to not only benefit the cultural landscape of the city, but also to benefit the surrounding businesses of that city,” he said. “So that is why we’re here today. We’re investing in Norwalk.”
Let’s explore the growth of public art around Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Fairfield.
Meet some of the amazing people keeping southwest Connecticut running, like Amy Taber.
Ever wonder what happens when a traffic light malfunctions and starts blinking or when someone hits a sign pole and knocks it down? In Norwalk, enter Amy Taber, the city’s traffic maintenance supervisor.
Taber and her team are responsible for the signals at the roughly 90 city-owned intersections, roadway signs, crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons, speed radar signs, road striping and more.
Taber’s work and dedication in Norwalk has recently been recognized nationally. She was invited by the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) to be a part of a team that creates the curriculum for their training programs.
“To really have our peers recognize the work that is being done, and particularly recognize Amy’s leadership as a supervisor in the traffic world was a huge compliment to her work, and a huge compliment to the city in general,” Jim Travers, the head of the city’s department of Transportation, Mobility, and Parking, said.
Check out Taber’s full story.
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Have a great week,
Kelly Prinz
Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times
