NAUGATUCK RIVER GREENWAY; NORTHERN SECTION:
TORRINGTON-WATERTOWN, CONNECTICUT
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Last Updated: May 18, 2024
Length: Naugatuck River Greenway [Torrington Section]; 1.4 miles
Naugatuck River Greenway [Watertown section]; 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Naugatuck River Greenway [Torrington Section]; Easy. Northern Section paved and flat. Southern Section relatively flat, stone-dust & packed gravel trail.
Naugatuck River Greenway [Watertown section]; Easy. Paved trail.
Directions:
For the Torrington Section [Northern End]; From Route 8 take exit 43.
Northbound; Turn left on Harwinton Ave, travel underneath Route 8 and continue straight on E Albert St. Cross the river and turn left on Park Ave. The Sullivan Senior Center parking lot is on your left.
Southbound; Turn left on E Albert St. Cross the river and turn left on Park Ave. The Sullivan Senior Center parking lot is on your left.
For the Watertown Section [Southern End]; From Route 8 take exit 37 to Frost Bridge Rd and head east. The Frost Bridge Road parking lot is on your left just before the river.
The Naugatuck River Greenway is a planned 44 mile trail running North from Derby to Torrington along the Naugatuck River, with a short section along the Housatonic River between Derby and Shelton. This trail is a work in progress and currently contains many gaps. For more information visit; NAUGATUCK RIVER .
The Northern Section contains one section in Torrington and one short section in Watertown.
TORRINGTON SECTION:
Starting from Main Street [Northern End]; The brick lined Naugatuck River Greenway travels East along Franklin Plaza above the North Side of the Naugatuck River, before turning South, past the Torrington Riverfront Apartments before quickly ending after only 0.2 miles.
Note; A future phase will extend the trail South to East Albert St.
Starting from East Albert Street [Northern End]; The Naugatuck River is on your left. Informational sign here.
Heading South, along the West Bank, of the paved Naugatuck River Greenway you pass by the Sullivan Senior Center parking lot and a Map Board. The trail then comes to Scoville St, where it heads left along Scoville St, out to Palmer Bridge St. Turn left across the Naugatuck River (sidewalk available) where you'll pick up the stone-dust section of the trail after 0.6 miles as it continues South along the East Bank of the river to the John Toro Sports Complex & parking lot. Map Board. Here the trail continues South at 0.9 miles as a wide packed gravel trail (a bit bumpy). Pass a Dog Park as you follow an open corridor through the woods to the Town Water Treatment plant at 1.4 miles. The trail will be extended South to Lower Bogue St in the future, but as of 2024, has not been extended.
THOMASTON SECTION:
Two Sections are in the planning phase in 2024.
Section 1; Between East Main St and Watertown Rd.
Section 2; Old Waterbury Rd, around the WPCA facility, to a new pedestrian bridge over Branch Brook.
WATERTOWN SECTION:
Starting from the Frost Road parking lot [Southern End]; Informational sign. The wide, paved Naugatuck River Greenway travels North from Frost Rd, passing by the parking lot, which has restrooms & a water fountain. Trail then travels between the Naugatuck River and CT Transit building before quickly ending after 0.25 miles. Designs are underway in 2024 to extend the trail North another 2.4 miles to an old trestle bridge over Branch Brook where you can access York Rd in Thomaston.
NAUGATUCK RIVER GREENWAY; CENTRAL SECTION:
BEACON FALLS-NAUGATUCK-WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT
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Last Updated: April 26, 2024
Length: Naugatuck River Greenway [Waterbury Section]; 1.9 miles
Naugatuck River Greenway [Naugatuck Section]; 0.7 miles
Naugatuck River Greenway [Beacon Falls Section]; 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Naugatuck River Greenway; Easy. Flat paved trail. Waterbury Section also has a 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE.
Directions:
For the Waterbury Section; From Route 8 take exit 28 to Waterbury Rd/S Main St north. You quickly come to Platt Park on your left.
For the Naugatuck Section; From Route 8 Southbound take exit 27 to Maple St and turn left. Get back on Route 8 Northbound and take exit 27 to Calvin St. Turn left and travel underneath Route 8. Just before the on-ramp turn right into Linden Park.
For the Beacon Falls Section;
From Route 8 Northbound take exit 23 and turn right on S Main St. Follow 1.2 miles and do a U-turn onto N Main St heading south. Take an immediate right between the Senior Center and Fire Department to Volunteer Park.
From Route 8 Southbound take exit 24 and turn right on N Main St. Take an immediate right between the Senior Center and Fire Department to Volunteer Park.
The Central Section currently includes a section in Waterbury and Naugatuck and a short section in Beacon Falls.
WATERBURY SECTION:
Starting from Bristol Street & Platts Mill Road [Southern End]; I haven't checked out this section yet. The Naugatuck River Greenway follows a 2-Way SEPARATED BIKE LANE Northeast alongside Platts Mill Rd and the Naugatuck River. Come to S Main St at 0.5 miles, where a paved trail takes you North through Platt Park and a parking lot (Map Board, comfort station, water fountain, covered picnic area, a canoe and kayak launch, an amphitheater and nature trail). The paved trail then travels alongside S Main St, with the Naugatuck River along your left. After 1.2 miles you cross a bridge over Hopeville Pond Brook where you travel between the river and a commercial district. You then continue back alongside S Main St, crossing Leonard St, where the trail continues North between the river and road. It currently ends after 1.9 miles at Eagle St. Phase 2 will continue the trail North another 2.3 miles to Main St & Thomaston Ave.
NAUGATUCK SECTION:
Starting from Linden Park [Southern End]; The paved Naugatuck River Greenway begins near the park entrance at Riverside Dr, where you'll find a nice promenade over looking the Naugatuck River, alongside an informational and Map Board.
Note; A narrow, separated sidewalk travels South alongside Route 8 to Maple St after 0.4 miles. Not recommended for bikes. From Maple St another section of trail is in the planning process heading South to Breen Park.
The trail travels North through the park above the river passing by a skateboard park, ball courts and playground. More informational signs are scattered along the trail. A Porto-Potty is located next to the playground.
Note; At 0.4 miles a trail on your right Loops South back through the park.
The trail then leaves the park behind and travels just below Route 8 before coming to a pedestrian bridge across the river.
Note; A narrow path to your right takes you underneath Route 8 and out to Main St.
Crossing the iron General Pulaski Bridge over the Naugatuck River brings you over to Bridge St at 0.7 miles. Future plans call for continuing the trail North another 0.9 miles to Platts Mill Rd.
BEACON FALLS SECTION:
Starting from Volunteer Park [Northern End]; A promenade overlooks the Naugatuck River, along with a few informational signs. Head back out to Main St and turn right, South. Currently you'll need to ride on-road or on the wide sidewalk down to Depot St and Veterans Park.
Note; I recommend a detour right to the 1935 green trestle bridge over the river. Nice views. This will also bring you to the Beacon Falls Metro Station .
A crosswalk over Depot St brings you to the paved Naugatuck River Greenway as it travels South between the river and Main St at 0.2 miles. After 0.5 miles the trail currently ends next to a cross-light over Main St to Bethany Rd. Future plans will extend the trail South.
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