Stonington officials deciding how best to move forward with Pawcatuck River walkway
An artist's rendering of a proposed pedestrian walkway from Veterans Park at the Pawcatuck River bridge south to Donahue Park.
By Joe Wojtas Day staff writer
Stonington — The Economic Development Commission is considering how best to create an organization to oversee the potential development of a pedestrian walkway along the Pawcatuck River.
Meanwhile, the commission is backing a request from the town Planning Department to include $150,000 in the proposed 2020-21 budget and $100,000 the following year to help fund about half the cost of creating a pedestrian walkway from Veterans Park at the Pawcatuck River bridge south to Donahue Park. The town and organization would seek state and federal grants and private funding for the remainder.
The 400-foot-long project is seen as the first part of an eventual Pawcatuck River Greenway project that would extend the pedestrian walkway north along the river to the so-called circus lot off Noyes Avenue and south to the Mechanic Street mills. The EDC also envisions a pedestrian bridge over the river at the circus lot, which would provide easy access to the Westerly train station.
“The riverwalk idea has widespread support. But we fully understand that there will be public concern and questions, so want to make sure there is the governance in place to provide the greatest level of transparency and accountability,” EDC Chairman Dave Hammond said.
The walkway is among 11 economic development projects, five of which are in downtown Pawcatuck, that the EDC feels would provide “the best bang for the buck” for the town.
Hammond said EDC members feel a riverwalk would play a key role in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Pawcatuck.
"Riverwalks have been proven to be economic engines for communities across the country and the world,” Hammond said. “People want to be by the water and have access to the water.”
Hammond said an EDC subcommittee has been working on the concept of a riverwalk and now is at the point of trying to decide the best way to move forward. He said this could involve the creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to oversee the development or having a group that is under the auspices of the town.
He said this issue has to be carefully considered because of the importance of providing transparency and accountability, especially since some of the work would be along private property.
Hammond said the first portion of the walkway also would open up more access to the river to the public and for recreation, enhance coastal resiliency and repair a wall, which is beginning to erode into the river, along town-owned Donahue Park.
Hammond said he has stressed with town officials that projects such as the walkway and the acquisition of the circus lot ($60,500) are not expenses but investments that will produce a return for the local economy as more people choose to visit, live and invest in the downtown.
Both Save the Bay and the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association have written letters supporting the Pawcatuck River Greenway effort.