Posted on May 1, 2024
Danbury, Conn. – During a weekend event at Tarrywile Park, dozens of volunteers cut and cleared invasive vines from trees and got planters ready for flowers and shrubs. State Representative Rachel Chaleski contacted Tarrywile Park Authority about holding another event at the park following similar work done in March and this was the result.
“Tarrywile is a gem of a resource for the City of Danbury, its residents and visitors. I always enjoy taking my dog, Luke, for a walk at the park after dropping my daughter off at school,” said Chaleski. “Being able to help revitalize the health of the trees by cutting away invasive vines that are wrapped around them is important to keeping our park beautiful.”
At 722 acres, Tarrywile Park is the largest municipally owned town Park in the State of Connecticut. There are 21 miles of cleared hiking trails and a network of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian. Tarrywile is part of the CT Greenways & Trails System.
Many of Danbury’s community partners, volunteer professional arborists, cut and removed vines on Friday, April 26, 2024, did selective tree pruning, and field restoration.
“The bramble and wood-like invasive vines had taken over some crops of trees. By removing them, we’re helping to keep the park’s habitats as healthy as we can,” added Chaleski.
Chaleski thanked Advanced Tree Removal, Bartlett Tree Experts, Barts Tree Service, Budget Tree & Stump Removal, City of Danbury Forestry, Eversource Energy, Ferris Mulch Products, Lewis Services and Stony Hill Landscaping for their services, along with the work of Friends of Tarrywile Park.
Volunteers on Sunday, April 28, 2024, also cleared flower beds behind the old dairy barn. They also put down mulch, added topsoil and determine where donating vegetation would be planted.
“I want to thank Councilman Duane Perkins and the Tarrywile Park Authority for taking my call to hold this additional event at the park and for running with the idea. Also, to all of the volunteers who turned out, including my husband and kids who were by my side to lend a hand,” added Chaleski.
Chaleski also wrote letters of support to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for grant funding to improve the park. If approved, the DEEP Recreational Trails Funding Grant would be used to increase the level of safety in the park by rebuilding two culverts to handle heavy vehicles and ADA accessibility, widen remote sections of the ‘Orange Train’ for accessibility of emergency vehicles, and to implement trail wayfinding measures and educational signage to highlight the park’s rich history.