Politics & Government

Town Considers Public Canoe and Kayak Launch

Final plan for 'Upper Mill Pond' portion of Farmington River released.

The Farmington River in Collinsville is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up-paddle boarding.

And yet Collinsville lacks a town-owned, easily accessible public access point. Canton officials hope to change that and are discussing an idea to provide access at the town garage site.

The town recently received the final “Upper Mill Pond Master Plan Report,” a study and plan for the Farmington River and adjacent shoreline from Town Bridge to the Upper Collinsville dam. It identifies the town garage property as one of the most promising recreational opportunities along the river.

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Building a new garage at another location has been a long-term goal of the town and a committee continues to look at options but officials feel a "car-top" boat launch may be something that can be done more immediately. 

“There’s no town-owned public river access,” selectman Steve Roberto said. “It certainly seems something we can do independently from the 'grand scheme.'”

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First Selectman Richard Barlow agrees that the town may be able to move forward with the idea long before any major changes at the site. 

“Even with the highway garage, there is the possibility we can make the boat launch and possibly move around some of the structures there,” he said.

Currently many river users, especially on weekends, rent or launch their own boats from the paved ramp at the edge of the parking lot.

The ramp is on private property, according to storeowner Jon Warner. But during store hours, canoeists and kayakers with their own boats can use the launch provided they sign a waiver and wear a life jacket, Warner said. Sale events are an exception due to the heavy demand, he added.

But boat owners that use that ramp or other access points on state or private land are generally required to carry their craft a considerable distance. The idea for the access is to provide a point where people can park at the site or nearby and unload the boats from their car tops.

“We need a place that people are able to park in close proximity,” said Barlow, who added that some permitting would be involved in such a project.

David K. Leff, a local author, canoeist and former deputy commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, said access to the river is important.

"The Farmington River is our signature natural resource and anything that can  be done to improve access in a safe and environmentally sound way will be an asset to Canton," he said. "Time on the river rewards people with better physical and mental health and repays the community with people who are more likely to care about the town."

The boat access and the larger idea of a park at the property is just one part of the Upper Mill Pond study. Last week, David Murphy, P.E. Associate for Milone & MacBroom, the plan consultant, gave selectmen an overview of the project, which included public surveys, meetings, recreation observation, sediment testing, and river-depth analysis and data collection. The company, subcontractors and a local committee have worked on the plan since spring. 

The final report includes numerous recommendations and potential future projects in and around the river including signage, bald eagle habitat, public restrooms, additional paths, artificial fishing reefs and much more.

One major suggestion is to increase depth through reinstallation of flashboards on the upper dam or some limited dredging.

Murphy said the plan recommends a modest approach to increase depth about three feet. Also if the hydroelectric project should get off the ground, it would involve flashboards and make dredging unnecessary, he added.

In addition to the town garage site, the plan suggests a recreational opportunity for land near the Route 179 bridge in Collinsville with a potential artificial reef, fishing station, enclosed porto potties, trash cans and more. The plan also suggests consideration of connecting the area with a walking path over the river, utilizing the old railroad bridge abutments. To potentially complete such a project, the town would have to work with the state and private landowners. 

Another area of concern was the potential use of boat motors in the area and the town will have to look into ways to limit or ban such activity, Barlow said.

“It’s a reasonable concern that can be addressed in a short-term manner,” he said.

But despite some potential obstacles or challenges to some of the projects, the plan contains some great ideas, Barlow said.

Barlow said he was appreciative of grant, committee and consultants.

“It affords us a nice plan to enhance the value of the river in the Collinsville area,” Barlow said.

David Sinish, a member of the Upper Mill Pond steering committee urged selectmen to use the plan and not let it sit on a shelf.

“I would just plead to the board that this does not get shelved,” subcommittee member David Sinish said, who also spoke in favor of a coordinating body for the river issues.

Barlow said he plans to talk to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Projects and try and get some additional “supplemental environmental projects” funding that paid for the $100,000 study. The money comes from environmental penalties levied on companies.

Selectmen also plan to recommend the study be including in the town’s upcoming Plan of Conservation and Development Update.

In addition, selectmen plan to take a closer look. 

“And I would hope the board would endorse as a next step further review of some of the components in this and pick some things we want to do and go and start to solicit funding at the state level.” Barlow added.

At selectmen’s request, Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner said he would put the plan on a future agenda so selectmen could begin prioritizing projects.

The report can be found at http://www.miloneandmacbroom.com/project-center.aspx


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