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Haddam Trail Network. An introduction and a future. Haddam Trails. > 50 Miles of Mapped Trails 42 trailheads Ownership State of Connecticut – Cockaponset Forest CT Forest and Park Association - Blue Blazed Trails RSD 17- Haddam Elementary Land Trust - Swan Hill Haddam Land Trust .
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Haddam Trail Network An introduction and a future
Haddam Trails • > 50 Miles of Mapped Trails • 42 trailheads • Ownership • State of Connecticut – Cockaponset Forest • CT Forest and Park Association - Blue Blazed Trails • RSD 17- Haddam Elementary Land Trust - Swan Hill • Haddam Land Trust
Haddam Land Trust • Trails • Bamforth (21) • Nedobity (15) • Ponsett Ridge (20) • Saraceno (9)
Haddam’s Economic Challenge • Average Appraised Value of Single Family Home in Haddam = $ 237,500 • Average Assessed Value of Single Family Home in Haddam = $154,375 • Average Tax Paid by Home Owner=$4,368 • Average Children per Home = .48 • Average Cost of Education for Each Child in Haddam=$13,537, Which Equals = $6,497 per Household Where is the $6496 difference coming from?
Trails and Haddam’s Economic Development (Sustainment) • Loss of CT Yankee • Where does Haddam make up shortfall? • Raise Taxes or Lower Spending (Schools) • Trend from Haddam Visioning Sessions • 1% of land set aside for commercial • 0.8% zoned for industrial use • Commercial Development of Village Center
Benefits of Trails to Towns • Nearby (convenient) opportunities for active and healthy lifestyle. • Safe for pedestrians • Increased awareness of natural surroundings • Non-motorized corridor connecting parts of the town.
Economic Benefits of Trails • Increase in property values near trails • Attacts new businesses and employees • 2nd most important community amenity out of 18 choices (Mountain Bay Trail – Brown County, WI) • Increase in spending • $13.54 per person per visit in town on food, beverages and transportation (Ohio Miami Trail) – ($4 -$30) • $277/year average per person in region on clothes, equipment and accessories. • If trail is centrally connected, can lead to reinvestment in downtown. • A destination trail can bring in a significant number of outside users (depending on quality of trail, can be 5% to 70% non-local).
Key Trails • Cove Wharf Road (Nosal Road) • Higganum Cove • Higganum Village Loop • Swan Hill • Railway from Tylerville through Haddam ??
Next Steps • DEP Grant submitted in August for $22,000 • Web Site • Trailhead Markings • Interpretative Signs • Future Steps • Central Kiosk map • Printed Trail Maps • Best use for unused railroad from Tylerville to Middletown • Development of connector trails • Need active research into where trails are needed • Right of Ways • Donations to Haddam Land Trust • Finish Higganum Loop
How can you help ? • Use the trails • Receive email with links to all maps • Spread the word • Receive updates on trails – sign up sheet • Volunteer to work on trail development