Sue Grossman Still River Greenway Ad Hoc Committee

The Sue Grossman Still River Greenway Committee is an ad hoc committee established in January 2025 by Town Manager Paul Harrington. The committee includes Town staff, elected officials, board and commission members, members of local volunteer organizations, and Town residents.

This diverse group was formed to guide and support the planning, design, and construction of the final two segments of the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway, a transformative project that will connect the Greenway directly to Downtown Winsted.

The committee does not meet on a fixed schedule but aims to convene approximately every two weeks to maintain project momentum. In its “ad hoc” nature, the committee does not post formal agendas or minutes, though it operates transparently in coordination with Town staff and the public.


Why the Committee Was Formed

The Town of Winchester was awarded a $2,000,000 FY24 Congressionally Directed Spending award through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT). An additional $500,000 match has been provided through the CTDOT Community Connectivity Alternative Mobility Fund, bringing the total project funding to $2,500,000 in federal and state investment.

This funding will be used to engineer and construct the final two segments of the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway, a long-awaited project that will complete the multi-use trail connection into the hearts of Winsted and Torrington.

The committee serves as the guiding and advisory body for the Town throughout the planning, engineering, and coordination process for the final connection of the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway. Its foremost responsibility is to keep the project on schedule, ensuring that all final planning deliverables are submitted to CTDOT no later than September 2026. By maintaining this timeline, the committee helps the Town preserve eligibility for all awarded funds and keeps the Greenway project moving forward without delay.

Working closely with Cardinal Engineering, the committee is conducting an ongoing feasibility study to evaluate and recommend a preferred route for the final Greenway connection. In doing so, it weighs a variety of important factors, including safety, environmental impacts, development potential, cost, property considerations, and overall project feasibility.

The committee also serves as a source of local knowledge and coordination, helping the Town navigate community issues and opportunities as they arise. It actively communicates with stakeholders and engages property owners within the project area to ensure that the Greenway is developed with transparency, collaboration, and meaningful community input.


The Goals of the Committee

The ultimate goal of the committee is to complete the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway by extending it into Downtown Winsted, fulfilling a vision that has been decades in the making. This final connection will transform the Greenway from a recreational trail into a true community and regional backbone.

At its core, the committee’s mission is to ensure that the Greenway not only enhances mobility and recreation, but also advances economic development, environmental stewardship, and long-term community resilience. The committee recognizes that the Greenway’s construction represents more than a recreational investment; it is an opportunity to stimulate local commerce, increase property values, and position Winsted as a more vibrant destination for residents, visitors, and new businesses alike.

Equally important, the committee is working to ensure that this project serves as a foundation for future infrastructure improvements in a cost-effective manner. The Greenway corridor presents a valuable opportunity to extend essential utilities - particularly water and sewer - into an underdeveloped area of town. By coordinating trail construction with potential infrastructure expansion, the Town can multiply the benefits of this project, creating conditions that support responsible growth and stronger connectivity across our community.

The Sue Grossman Still River Greenway Committee welcomes questions, feedback, and ideas from the community.

For more information about the project or the committee’s work, please contact: suegrossman@townofwinchester.org.