New Haven celebrates East Coast Greenway milestone

The East Coast Greenway’s scenic journey through New Haven just became even more inviting. 

On Friday, May 9, Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano joined Connecticut leaders and passionate trail supporters to celebrate the completion of New Haven’s final segment of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Markatos-Soriano spoke alongside New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and other state and local leaders.

“It’s beautiful! It’s just incredible — and it’s part of the East Coast Greenway,” said Mayor Elicker during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as reported by the New Haven Register. After the ribbon cutting, attendees took the first official walk on the new segment.  Stretching 82 miles from New Haven’s Canal Dock Boathouse to Northampton, Massachusetts, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail is more than 80% complete, with full completion expected by 2030. Just a few key gaps remain along this scenic and historic route.

“Connecticut’s Farmington Canal Heritage Trail is one of the true gems of the entire East Coast Greenway, and it just became even more remarkable with the completion of Phase IV in New Haven. This vital connection demonstrates the power of collaboration to deliver lasting health, environmental and economic benefits,” Markatos-Soriano said. “I’m deeply grateful for the leadership of our Southern New England Manager Bruce Donald, our dedicated local partners and the state and city officials who continue to champion the East Coast Greenway throughout Connecticut.”

The completion of New Haven’s final 1.6-mile leg of the trail (Phase IV) realizes a decades-long dream of reconnecting the southernmost section of the trail from its current end at Temple Street back to the canal’s historic origin at the Canal Dock Boathouse.

A portion of the final segment of the trail traverses below street level underneath Whitney Avenue through a tunnel and then rises again back to street level at the intersection of Grove and Orange Streets. The section also includes interpretive displays and illumination, as well as ramps and stairs for convenient pedestrian and cyclist access.

“After two decades of planning and persistence, New Haven has completed a critical connection — from the Yale campus to the State Street Cycletrack — closing a key gap in the city’s trail network,” Donald said. “This milestone is a major achievement for the City of New Haven, the State of Connecticut and the entire East Coast Greenway. We extend our sincere gratitude to the City, CTDOT, dedicated consultants and the many local and regional advocates who made this vision a reality.”

Among the attendees at the ribbon cutting ceremony were longtime supporters of the East Coast Greenway in Connecticut such as Steve Mitchell, Barbara Amodio, Rob Dexter and Beverly Duncan.

Local cyclists will not have to wait long to enjoy the new stretch of trail, as the East Coast Greenway Alliance’s annual Ride the State on Saturday, June 28, will feature the segment. The 67-mile ride highlights the need to close the remaining gaps in the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and Hartford Connector segments of the Greenway. This year’s newly updated route will take riders from the Canal Dock Boathouse on Long Wharf Drive in New Haven to Connecticut’s Old Statehouse in Hartford. 

Limited to 200 participants, this ride has sold out for three consecutive years. Registration is now open but spots are limited and filling quickly.