Bike Walk Avon CT

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Bike Walk Avon CT

Bike Walk Avon CTBike Walk Avon CTBike Walk Avon CT
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Non-Vehicular Trail Map

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Our Organization

Our Mission

Our Partners

Our Partners

 Bike  Walk Avon CT is a volunteer organization made up of area residents and businesses  whose mission is to advocate for the promotion, expansion and  maintenance of safe and attractive paths for non-motorized  transportation within our community. 

Our Partners

Our Partners

Our Partners

Avon Town Officials

Avon Town Council

Farmington Valley Trail Council

East Coast Greenway

Bike Walk CT

Avon Land Trust

Avon Trail History

 The town of Avon was settled in 1645 and became known as the Northington section of Farmington.  In 1825, encouraged by the success of the Erie Canal, construction of the Farmington Canal was begun, with the hopes that New Haven could successfully compete with the bustling Hartford river port. The canal would facilitate passage of goods from southern CT to central MA.  The town was ideally located at the intersection of the Albany Turnpike (connecting Hartford, CT with Albany,NY) and the Farmington Canal (connecting New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA).  Hoping to partake in the industrial boom of the time, the town became incorporated in 1830.  The canal was completed in 1835, however never turned a profit, therefore by 1847, the route was  converted to a railroad passage known as the "Canal Line", which continued to be used in town until 1987.  

 Around the same time the national rails to trails movement was getting traction under the guidance of the Rails-to-trails Conservancy and a group of local volunteers, the Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association successfully worked with local governments to begin conversion of the path into the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. This trail still follows the 81.2 miles of the original canal.   In 1992, the Farmington Valley Trails Council was formed to increase public support and awareness of this project and the first 6 miles of the rail opened in 1996.  It continues to be an ongoing collaborative project.  Of note, 47.6 miles of our trail has become part of the 3000 mile linear park called the East Coast Greenway connecting the eastern seaboard from Key West, FL to Calais, ME. In 2019, a group of Avon volunteers formed BikeWalkAvonCT to continue the work of these visionary trail advocacy groups.



Our Leadership

 Co-Chairs:  Fran Gurtman & Steven Mitchell

Avon Assistant Town Manager: Grace Tiezzi

Social Media: Lynne Anderson & Chip Walters

School Liaisons: Amy Finch & Deb Chute

Avon Town Council Chairperson: Dan Polhamus

Avon Town Council Liaisons: 

Heather Maguire & Anthony Weber

Farmington Valley Trail Council Board Liaison: 

Diana Moody

Town of Avon Bicycle Friendly Businesses

  • Riverdale Farms Shopping features many specialty shops, restaurants, personal and  professional services, on the restored site of a 19th century farm. Riverdale Farms is proud to have received the bronze designation award from the League of American Bicyclists.
  • OFS is a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of innovative fiber optic products
    specific to the aerospace, aviation and defense industries. They have been awarded bronze certification as a Bike Friendly Business. 


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