Grant will support the construction and upkeep of boat launches at Harrybrooke Park and Erickson Road
The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is thrilled to announce that it has received a $2500 gift from Big Y World Class Markets. The grant, a result of the Big Y Charity Golf Outing, will support HVA’s local efforts to increase access to the Still River and the Housatonic for canoe and kayak paddlers.
“HVA is grateful to Big Y World Class Markets for the company’s support of our mission,” said HVA Development Director, Richard Sears. “It’s wonderful to see local businesses giving back to the community and the local environment.”
Last summer, HVA completed a public access area with parking and a boat ramp on the Still River adjacent to the Animal Control shelter on Erickson Road in Brookfield. A portion of the grant will be used to beautify and add to the ramp’s pollution-preventing buffer of native plants.
With the help of students from HVA’s Still River Connections program, clearing and site planning has already begun in Harrybrooke Park on a new boat access and portage trail that will allow paddlers to navigate around the park’s falls and rapids. Once complete, paddlers will be able to travel from Erickson Road to the Housatonic by boat. The ultimate goal is to complete a water trail on the full length of the Still, from Danbury to New Milford.
“Big Y World Class Market is proud to partner with HVA and Harrybrooke Park in realizing the vision of a vital and accessible Still River,” said Regina Torsiello, Big Y Employee Services Representative. “Our New Milford store employees live in the watershed, so it’s an investment they can see and appreciate every day.”
