About Us

Mission Statement

The mission of the Corporation shall be to recapture the waterfront of the Willimantic River primarily in the Town of Windham and Willimantic, including but not limited to increasing safe access to the river for residents, restoring the environment of the river and the anadromous and other fish populations and other wildlife, creating a regional swift water rescue and training center, encouraging environmental and hydrologic scientific research, involving and serving as a resource and opportunity for local educational institutions to participate in action research, developing an urban waterfront and whitewater park, enhancing the potential of Willimantic as a recreation hub, celebrating the cultural history of the Willimantic River and supporting the growth of a trans-cultural arts and enterprise zone in Willimantic, Connecticut.

Executive Committee

Dan Mullins, President

Mark Paquette, Vice-president

Donna Drasch, Secretary

Paula Stahl, Treasurer

Barbara McGrath, At-large

Eric Martin, At-large

Board of Directors

Pat Calvo

Dennis Goderre

Contact Information

Willimantic Whitewater Partnership Inc.

41 High Street

Willimantic, CT 06226

What's New

Willimantic RiverFest May 17, 2008

The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce & the Willimantic Whitewater Partnership will be holding their 5th Annual RiverFest on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The RiverFest will take place at the Railroad Museum on Bridge Street in Willimantic CT., and at “The Future Home of the Whitewater Park” on Bridge Street.

Come participate in activities such as a family canoe or kayak trip down the Willimantic River, nature events, environmental groups, and booths with interactive educational activities. A Battle of the Bands will provide live music.

The Willimantic Whitewater Partnership and friends will once again conduct a whitewater demonstration. New this year will be flat-water competitions for beginners and a kayak kicker ramp for more experienced kayakers.

The River Fest will be from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM with most events starting and ending at the Railroad Museum. The RiverFest’s main events will be held from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM. The River Fest is free and open to everyone, though there is a fee for those who participate in the river trip. The fee covers insurance, transportation to the put-in and a raffle entry for a professionally carved frog in a canoe.

For further information, please contact:

The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce 860-423-6389

Willimantic Whitewater Partnership: WillimanticWhitewater@charter.net

Windham Recreation Department: www.windhamrecreation.com

Long-time WWP Supporter, Phyllis Foster, Passes

The board of directors and members of Willimantic Whitewater Partnership would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Foster Family on the passing of Mrs. Phyllis Foster. For several years, the Fosters have been an important contributor to WWP. Their financial support and shared vision of the Willimantic River inspire us. We are humbled that upon her passing, she asked that donations be made to our organization, in her honor. We would like to thank the Foster Family for this gracious act. Through conversations and written correspondences with Mrs. Foster, her love for Willimantic shined through. Mrs. Foster supported our efforts to restore the Willimantic River and was pleased particularly that WWP was speaking for, as she said, “our fish friends.” We are proud to continue our work in shaping Willimantic's future in her memory, and bringing the Willimantic River back to life.

WWP receives $114,800 DEP Recreational Trails Grant

WWP was notified on March 1, 2008 that it has been awarded a grant for $114,800 for the development of the East Coast Greenway. Specifically, the grant was approved to develop the railroad trestle on the Airline Trail South. When complete cyclists, hikers and equestrians alike will have direct access across the Willimantic River from Lebanon into Willimantic and vice versa. Cyclists peddling into Willimantic will no longer have to exit the Airline Trail in Lebanon and find their way along the road. Construction is scheduled to begin in the Spring 2010.

Partner Organizations

American Rivers

American Whitewater

The East Coast Greenway

NOAA Restoration Center

The Last Green Valley

Rivers Alliance of Connecticut

Save the Sound

Willimantic River Alliance

Links of Local Interest

Town of Windham

Windham Chamber of Commerce

Windham Recreation

3rd Thursday Street Fest