Scantic River Watershed Association

Somers | Enfield | East Windsor | South Windsor

In 1995 the Connecticut General Assembly acted upon the recommendations of the Governor’s Greenways Committee and passed Public Act 95-335 that defines greenway as a "corridor of open space" that:

• May protect natural resources, preserve scenic landscapes and historical resources or offer opportunities for recreation or non-motorized transportation;
• May connect existing protected areas and provide access to the outdoors;
• May be located along a defining natural feature, such as a waterway, along a man-made corridor, traditional trail routes or historic barge canals; or
• May be a green space along a highway or around a village. *

Beginning January of 2008 the SRWA has successfully received Greenway designation from the State line in Somers through the towns of Enfield, East Windsor and is currently working with the town of South Windsor for a Greenway designation. The Scantic River Greenway successfully meets the designation criteria:

• NATURAL RESOURCES: The Scantic River corridor has been identified by the DEP as a resource protection area and is known for its wide variety of bird and wildlife. Bald eagle, Northern Harrier, Red Tail Hawk, Great Blue Heron, King Fishers, Ducks and Geese are regular sightings. Deer, mink, otter, muskrat and beaver are also sighted. Over 60 varieties of wildflowers have been identified on the river banks.
• RECREATION: The State DEP has developed a Scantic River State Park Master Plan that provides multi-use trails, fishing access and historical interpretation. The SRWA has been providing a key role in helping this plan come to fruition. Daily, numerous people hike the trails, explore the rich history, photograph the beauty and wildlife of the area, and enjoy canoeing and kayaking. The annual Spring Splash canoe\kayak race is one of the longest run canoe and kayak races in New England. The Scantic is well known for some of the best trout fishing in North Central Connecticut.
• GEOLOGY: The Scantic River is an integral part of the Connecticut River Basin and shares its geological history. Classic examples of bedrock, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary are commonplace, as are vernal pools, glaciated gorges and other reminders of the Ice Age.
• HISTORY/ARCHEOLOGY: The Powder Hollow area of Enfield has some of the nation’s richest history about the manufacturing of gun powder. In the 1800’s the Hazard Powder Company encompassed 400 acres, 3 dams, 12 mills, 200 buildings, 4 miles of canals, several storage ponds and 14 miles of carriage roads. There were numerous other mills along the river throughout the history of the Scantic.

*From the CT DEP’s website the definition of a greenway