A proposed 13.8-mile walking trail known as the Harbor to Hills Greenway could eventually connect Fairfield’s border with Easton to the Long Island Sound shoreline, linking open spaces, schools and community sites along a continuous north-to-south route.
Town officials say the project is designed to create a connected network of pedestrian paths by linking existing trails and protected lands throughout Fairfield. The proposed corridor would run through or alongside about 13 open-space areas, creating a continuous route intended for walking, family recreation and nature exploration.
About a dozen people turned out at the library last month for a look at the proposed project.
Sarah Mason, chair of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee, said, “It was a really energizing meeting where the public supported the idea, agreed there was a need, and was eager to see the project move forward.”
About 90% of the planned trail would follow town-owned or publicly protected land, which planners say could make the project more feasible while minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring long-term public access. By connecting existing trails and parcels, supporters say the greenway could transform Fairfield’s open-space system from a series of isolated destinations into a unified recreational resource.
The project also aims to function as a practical community connector. The proposed route would pass within one mile of 13 of Fairfield’s 16 public schools, potentially providing safer walking access for students and families. It would also run near both Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University.
Several major community sites lie along the corridor, and the pathway could improve pedestrian access for seniors, commuters and residents without cars while supporting transit-oriented mobility.
To move the proposal forward, Fairfield plans to seek funding from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to hire a consultant who would estimate the cost of designing and building the trail.
Mason said the town hopes to apply for funding through the agency’s recreational trails grant program.
“If we apply for and receive additional DEEP funding through the recreational trails grant program, future grant awards could fund construction costs for the trail,” Mason said.
Alex Ressi, a Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee member, said he and others on the panel had been studying a multi-use, bike-friendly trail that would run from Easton to the beach in his hometown. They were introduced to Joseph Walewski, who had been working on a plan to link the town’s open spaces to create a walking trail.
While the committee moved to support the walking trail concept, the lack of a bike-friendly trail stood out. As the committee looks to plan a companion bike route, “my hope is that two things come of it,” he said.
“One, a plan for a protected multi-use path that is bike-friendly, offering a practical, safe travel option to move around town safely,” Ressi said. “Two, the Harbor to Hills walking trail is established, connecting our open spaces and allowing for more convenient access to nature for all members of Fairfield’s community.”
Town officials say the greenway aligns with Fairfield’s long-term planning goals, including priorities outlined in its Plan of Conservation and Development and its Vision Zero road-safety initiative, which seeks to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.
Easton Selectman Nicholas D’Addario said he supports efforts to expand recreational opportunities across neighboring communities.
Last year, D’Addario proposed to then Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber a plan to exchange access to Easton’s ball fields for discounted passes to Fairfield’s beaches, an idea he said was inspired by the agreement Weston and Westport have had for more than 40 years, where Weston residents have discounted beach permits in Westport. The plan was not implemented before Gerber passed away last year.
“The Harbor to Hills Greenway is an exciting idea for Fairfield, and while it’s still very early in the process, I look forward to seeing more details as the proposal develops,” D’Addario said.
