DEEP Newsletter Reports on Greenways, Bike to Work Day

The July 2013 edition of DEEP's newsletter for Connecticut's Businesses & Municipalities reports this news on greenways and Bike to Work Day:

Greenways Update

This spring the Governor's Greenways Council designated three new Greenways and recognized seven individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion, development and enhancement of Greenways at a ceremony at the historic Chelsea Harbor Marina in Norwich.

Greenways have been designated since 2001 and Connecticut now has a total of 70 across the state. Many of the Greenways designated recently are near communities that attract people who want to shop, exercise, and enjoy recreation from their bicycle or by walking -- which helps to boost the economy of their neighborhoods. Awards were presented to: Senator Richard Blumenthal; Mayor Pedro Segarra, Hartford; Martin Michalec, Stafford Springs; Will Britnell, Newington; First Selectman Bob Burbank, Andover; Chris Ozyck, East Coast Greenway; and to Diane Ciano, Plymouth. 
The new officially designated Greenways are Ellington's Hockanum River Linear Park; Ellington, East Hartford, Manchester and Vernon; the Mad River Greenway, Wolcott; and the Yantic River Greenway, Norwich.

Bike to Work Day

This year's annual Bike to Work Day, sponsored by Bike Walk Connecticut, was held on May 17th. The event showcases that bicycling is not only fun, healthy, and good for the environment, but that it's also a viable means of alternative transportation. Twenty-five Connecticut cities, towns and businesses took part, including Bethel, Bridgeport, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Fairfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, New Haven, Newington, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford, Simsbury, South Windsor, Waterbury, Wethersfield, West Hartford and Windsor Locks.  DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty actively promoted greater participation from Connecticut's state agencies and rode his bike along with DOT Commissioner Jim Redeker and DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith. CT Rides also helped promote the event with more than 700 people participating state-wide this year.  

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