Mending the ‘gap’

By LISA CAPOBIANCO STAFF WRITER Plans are underway to close the “Plainville gap” of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail next year. During a Town Council meeting held last Monday, Town Manager Robert Lee said the town of Farmington plans to extend the trail from Red Oak Hill Road in Farmington, over Route 6 and into Northwest Drive in Plainville next year. During the meeting, Matt Blume, chief of Engineering Services for the town of Farmington, explained what those plans entail. Covering a route of 84 miles long, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail runs from New Haven to Northampton, Mass., and is known to be one of the most historic greenways in New England. But a nine-mile gap exists between Farmington and Southington. The path in Farmington begins in Avon and continues about halfway through town, said Blume. Blume said the state approached Farmington over a year ago about continuing the trail further south. “The state has been trying really hard to close the gaps that are in this trail system,” said Blume. “We’ve been working with the state, and have advanced drawings to get the trail from the midpoint of our town down essentially to the Plainville line.” Farmington will […]