Meriden Linear Trail
Encyclopedia
The Meriden Linear Trail is a rail trail
that follows the original route of the Meriden, Waterbury, and Connecticut River Railroad through the city of Meriden, Connecticut
. Currently, the trail follows 1.3 miles (2.1 km) of the former railroad right-of-way through the Quinnipiac River Gorge
, starting at Red Bridge (41.5225°N 72.8390°W) and ending near the Meriden/Cheshire
town line (41.5281°N 72.8579°W). This portion of the Linear Trail system is named The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail.
Construction of the Meriden and Waterbury Railroad commenced in 1887 and finished the following year, when the M&W Railroad merged with the Meriden and Cromwell Railroad to form the Meriden, Waterbury, and Connecticut River Railroad. The line never saw high traffic, and by 1924 the section of the railroad from West Main Street in Meriden to East Farms in Waterbury was abandoned.
For decades, the old right-of-way sat unused. Through the Quinnipiac Gorge, no development occurred over the former right-of-way due to its remote nature; throughout the rest of Meriden, most of the railroad remained active until 1966 as an industrial spur to Ragazzino's on West Main Street and the Suzio York Hill Quarry in East Meriden. Since little new development has occurred since then along the right-of-way (with the notable exception of the Mid-State Medical Center), much remains intact with the railroad tracks still in place.
Along the Quinnipiac River Gorge in South Meriden, the former right-of-way began to be used more and more by fishermen looking to access some of the more remote parts of the gorge. Eventually more and more people began to use the trail, including a lot of dirt bike and all terrain vehicle owners.
Looking to preserve the trail from being torn up by these vehicles (as well as from the increasing problem of illegal dumping along the trail), talks commenced in the late 1990s to create a paved rail trail along the old right-of-way of the MW&CRRR through the city, with a side trail connecting southward to connect to the new Quinnipiac River Linear Trail being proposed in Wallingford
.
border. Construction began in spring 2006, and was mostly completed by December 2006. Additional work, including new landscaping, fences, and informational kiosks was completed throughout 2007. The trail was formally dedicated on 3 November 2007.
The community reaction to the new trail has been very welcoming, and it has become a very popular recreation spot for area residents.
Initially after the trail opening, there was a problem with vandalism of the informational kiosks along the trail; in response the Meriden Police Department used their two all terrain vehicles to randomly patrol the trail. This, along with a large increase in the number of people using the trail, has nearly eliminated vandalism and illegal dumping along the trail.
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
that follows the original route of the Meriden, Waterbury, and Connecticut River Railroad through the city of Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 59,653.-History:...
. Currently, the trail follows 1.3 miles (2.1 km) of the former railroad right-of-way through the Quinnipiac River Gorge
Quinnipiac River
The Quinnipiac River is a river in the New England region of the United States, located entirely in the state of Connecticut.It rises in west central Connecticut from Dead Wood Swamp west of the city of New Britain...
, starting at Red Bridge (41.5225°N 72.8390°W) and ending near the Meriden/Cheshire
Cheshire, Connecticut
Cheshire is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 28,543 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Connecticut is located in Cheshire. In 2009 Cheshire was ranked 72 in Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live.Likewise, in 2011 Cheshire was ranked 73 in...
town line (41.5281°N 72.8579°W). This portion of the Linear Trail system is named The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail.
History
For decades, the old right-of-way sat unused. Through the Quinnipiac Gorge, no development occurred over the former right-of-way due to its remote nature; throughout the rest of Meriden, most of the railroad remained active until 1966 as an industrial spur to Ragazzino's on West Main Street and the Suzio York Hill Quarry in East Meriden. Since little new development has occurred since then along the right-of-way (with the notable exception of the Mid-State Medical Center), much remains intact with the railroad tracks still in place.
Along the Quinnipiac River Gorge in South Meriden, the former right-of-way began to be used more and more by fishermen looking to access some of the more remote parts of the gorge. Eventually more and more people began to use the trail, including a lot of dirt bike and all terrain vehicle owners.
Looking to preserve the trail from being torn up by these vehicles (as well as from the increasing problem of illegal dumping along the trail), talks commenced in the late 1990s to create a paved rail trail along the old right-of-way of the MW&CRRR through the city, with a side trail connecting southward to connect to the new Quinnipiac River Linear Trail being proposed in Wallingford
Wallingford, Connecticut
Wallingford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 43,026 at the 2000 census.- History :Wallingford was established on October 10, 1667, when the Connecticut General Assembly authorized the "making of a village on the east river" to 38 planters and freemen...
.
Current
Due to funding issues, land acquisition, and community concerns, planning for the linear trail was slow, and often sporadic for the next decade. However, in late 2005 and 2006, the final stages of land and funding acquisition fell into place for the first phase of the trail, the 1.3 miles (2.1 km) stretch through the Quinnipiac Gorge, starting near Red Bridge and ending near the CheshireCheshire, Connecticut
Cheshire is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 28,543 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Connecticut is located in Cheshire. In 2009 Cheshire was ranked 72 in Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live.Likewise, in 2011 Cheshire was ranked 73 in...
border. Construction began in spring 2006, and was mostly completed by December 2006. Additional work, including new landscaping, fences, and informational kiosks was completed throughout 2007. The trail was formally dedicated on 3 November 2007.
The community reaction to the new trail has been very welcoming, and it has become a very popular recreation spot for area residents.
Initially after the trail opening, there was a problem with vandalism of the informational kiosks along the trail; in response the Meriden Police Department used their two all terrain vehicles to randomly patrol the trail. This, along with a large increase in the number of people using the trail, has nearly eliminated vandalism and illegal dumping along the trail.