Progress

  • To determine best methods to restore the Willimantic River, its migratory fish and develop whitewater recreation oportunities, WPP members and volunteers conduct various studies pro bono as part of a feasibility study: sediment study, bathymetric survey, flora and fauna inventory, wetland delineation and mapping;
  • WWP receives several grants to conduct additional work for the feasibility study (from Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor; American Rivers-NOAA; Save The Sound, CT Fund For The Environment)
  • WWP purchases crucial 3.4 acre riverfront parcel on Bridge Street that includes a breached dam and the riverbed contiguous to the property
  • Phase I and II Environmental Studies conducted
  • WWP purchases crucial 3.4 acre riverfront parcel on Bridge Street that will anchor the linear park, recreation hub and trailhead
  • A2 perimeter survey and utility survey conducted
  • Lead and asbestos survey conducted on former car wash building
  • Car wash prepared for razing: garage bays cleaned out, asbestos removed, contaminated floor drains cleaned out and ballasts removed from light fixtures
  • Above-ground oil terminal and gas pumps removed
  • RFP prepared for underground tank removal
  • Bridge Street Park Master Plan developed (work-in-progress)
  • Concept Plans developed for Bridge Street Park and Trailhead
  • Cost estimates being developed for park
  • Car wash razed
  • WWP and Town of Windham receive $2 million Fedreal SAFE-TEA LU grant to to develop the Hop River/ Airline Trail Extensions in Willimantic, providing vital links to the East Coast Greenway
  • Research conducted into Willimantic history, resources, open space, parking, potential trail locations, trail and river access, links to downtown and more. Preliminary plans for trails and linear park, and suggestions for trail amenities developed
  • Preliminary trail plan developed
  • WWP and Town of Windham sign agreement that WWP will raise the matching funds for the SAFE-TEA LU trail project
  • Fuss & O'Neill hired as the preferred developer of the Hop River/ Airline Trail Extension
  • Preliminary Studies for design phase begin

 

Left:  Bridge Street Property before

Right:  Bridge Street Property after car wash razing

 

Next Steps

  • Complete outstanding data collection needs for feasibility study
  • Bring design to near-final completion
  • Prepare applications for regulatory permits
  • Develop final designs and construction documents for dam modification
  • Deconsruct dam to restore flow of the river
  • Develop final designs and construction documents for fish passage and whitewater features
  • Construct fish passage and whitewater features
  • Conduct Phase III Environmental Investigation
  • Develop Remedial Action Plan
  • Remediate soil contamination
  • Remove underground storage tanks
  • Develop design to 80% completion for regulatory permit applications
  • Develop final design and construction documents
  • Construct park and trailhead

Funding

  • Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor (two grants for feasibility study: $10,000 and $24,600)
  • American Rivers-NOAA (grant for feasibility study: $17,000 grant)
  • Save The Sound, CT Fund For The Environment (grant for feasibility study: $9,000 grant)
  • Loan from Savings Institute to purchase property
  • $25,000 Savings Institute Foundation
  • $50,000 State of CT Office of Policy and Management (procured by Senator Don Williams)
  • $2 million Federal SAFETEA-LU Grant
  • $114,800 CT Recreational Trails Grant
  • $10,000 Bikes Belong Grant
  • $5,000 CT DEP Greenways Small Grant Program
  • $25,000 Lester & Phyllis Foster Foundation Grant

In-kind Contributions

  • Sediment Analysis: Denise Burchsted, Andy Massey, Oliver Cote, Marianne Piche
  • Bathymetric Survey: Jeff Stefanik, CME Engineering, Jeff Paine, Andy Massey, Oliver Cote, Jerry Brisson, Mark Rollins
  • Wetland Delineation and Mapping: Chris Mason, Mason & Associates
  • Flora and Fauna Inventory: Marianne Piche
  • Environmental Investigations: Martin Brogie and Steve Dumas of the former Pinecrest Environmental Services (presently AKRF Environmental)
  • Above-ground oil terminal and gas pumps removed: Ed Hall, Excavator
  • Bridge Street Master Plan developed: Dennis Goderre, BL Companies
  • Concept Plans for Bridge Street Park and Trailhead developed: Dennis Goderre, BL Companies
  • Removal and disposal of contents of car wash: Willimantic Wastepaper
  • Research conducted into Willimantic history, resources, open space, parking, potential trail locations, trail and river access, links to downtown and more. Preliminary plans for trails and linear park, and suggestions for trail amenities developed: UConn Landscape Architect students
  • Preliminary trail plan developed: Paula Stahl, Green Valley Institute
  • Concept designs for the urban trailhead and Bridge Street Park developed: Dennis Goderre, BL Companies