Home - Vernon Greenways Volunteers

Mural Update

In 2020 it was noticed that the mural established in 2015 was in need of repair. A committee was formed and much of the mural redone. To insure it remained in good shape and increase interest, the mural will will be either partially or fully redone in the spring of each year going forward. Contact [email protected] to make an annually renewing $150 tax deductible donation.

VGV Receives Award

Founder and Lead Person of the Vernon Greenways Volunteers Don Bellingham was given the Connecticut Volunteer of the Year Award for 2020 by the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Service for his 15 years of service in that capacity.

Leveling The Trail

In 2020 most of the Hop River Trail from Phoenix Street to the one mile marker toward Bolton was leveled to make runoff happen properly and trail usage safer.

New ATV and Shed

In October 2019 we became the proud parents of a Polaris Ranger 4 XY ATV. We have been using a mule for the last several years that finally gave up the ghost. Parks and Rec purchased the vehicle. The ATV will be housed in a shed at the Birch Street Fire Station and we are designated as the primary users. EMS, Fire, Police and Parks and Rec will be users in an emergency situation.

Looking For Tree Damage

In September 2019 we held an event to examine trees adjacent to the trail to see if they had received any damage from invasive insects (Asian Longhorned Beetles or Spotted Lantern Flys). We last did this is 2016. The process was led by 4 experts who acted as Team Leaders. No damage was found.

Bike Repair Station

Gary Leavitt winters in Florida and came back in 2018 with the idea of installing a bike repair station. The idea was researched including trips to two locations within the state and searching the internet for pricing and options. We presented our findings to Parks and Rec Director, Marty Sitler, who agreed it was a good idea. Parks and Rec purchased and installed the unit.

Hop River Ride Rolling Museum

In 2017 the Bolton bike group initiated an historical bike tour of their Rail Trail (Hop River Ride Rolling Museum). In 2018 they asked us to join them with the tour starting in Vernon at noon and continuing on the Bolton leg at 2 PM. Kickoff was from Pedal Power on Route 30.

For Vernon Don Bellingham did a presentation at the mural and a second presenter was at the Vernon Depot at Church Street. A detailed description was posted on a large sign over Tunnel Road and various overlook places were noted, as well.

Vernon Greenways Volunteers In Action

The following photos will give you an idea of the type of tasks the Vernon Greenways Volunteers undertakes. Our season begins in the Spring and continues into October.

Click on the images for larger size.

Suspended bridge built in 2017 with 1,300 volunteer hours and dedicated in 2018. Area around the bridge is maintained by the Vernon Greenways Volunteers.

The CT Trail Census project began in 2017 and is an ongoing operation including an infrared counter, surveys and manual counts. We are the 3rd most used multiuse trail in CT.

The 2,500 square foot mural, established in 2015 and dedicated in 2016 requires occasional graffiti removal.

Spring cleanup at the Warren Avenue Planting. One of the eight we maintain on the Rail Trail. — Spring cleanup at the Warren Avenue Planting. One of the ten we maintain on the Rail Trail.

Trail Maintenance Team repairs erosion on Rail Trail near Maple Avenue.

Weed Whacking Team working on Dart Hill North Hiking Trail behind Vernon Gardens.

Removing garlic mustard, an invasive, from Dart Hill South Park's Stone Dust Trail. — Removing garlic mustard, an invasive, from Dart Hill South Park’s Stone Dust Trail.

Move an eighteen foot five hundred pound bridge to a new site on the Hockanum River Linear Park Trail.