Group shares ideas for increased access to the Coginchaug River

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art held a public meeting Tuesday night to discuss ideas proposed by the newly formed Coginchaug River Access Group (CRAG). The group was organized by the Jonah Center to look into ways to increase awareness of and access to the Coginchaug River, primarily by generating a proposal for a $50,000 grant the City has from the CT DEP. The original grant proposal, which was written by the Jonah Center in conjunction with the City, was for a kayak launch and hiking trail at the North End Peninsula, and was awarded in 2006. The City then decided against the North End Peninsula plan, citing conflicts with City operations there and concerns over costs. At one point the grant was going to be used for improvements at Veteran’s Park in conjunction with a proposed community center, but that project has been, at least temporarily, scrapped.

The meeting started with a “virtual tour” of the Coginchaug through Middletown (the Jonah Center hopes to have the slideshow with many of the river’s highlights and access points on its website soon), then moved on to specific proposals. Middletown’s City Planner, Bill Warner, presented two options for a kayak/canoe launch. One possibility is a launch located behind Charton Apartments as part of the river restoration project there. While the projects’ stakeholders, including the property owner, would support this launch, federal funding for the restoration of the channel is currently uncertain. A more likely launch site, at least in the short run, is on the property of Paul Szewczyk, which is adjacent to the Johnson Street pump house. Mr. Szewczyk has met with CRAG members and City staff, and has expressed a willingness to have a launch on his property, with parking at the pump house. The site would allow year-round access to the river, from which both the upstream segments (navigable at least to Berlin St.) and downstream segments (including Boggy Meadows) would be within easy access.

Additional project ideas include “Coginchaug River” signs at all road crossings; interpretive signs at access points and City properties; hiking trails along portions of the river including a few accessible only by boat; scenic and picnic spots including improvements to Marszalek Park; the development of educational materials associated with a water trail and other access; and signs within the channel (particularly at Boggy Meadows) to help guide boaters. The group, which is a working committee of individuals with a variety of relevant experience and affiliations, anticipates moving ahead in the next month or so to solidify plans and seek necessary approvals, such as from the Economic Development Committee.