About Us

The Tri Town Trail Association is built on a decades-old vision to create a regional recreation trail in Southeastern Connecticut.

Our Vision

Enhance the healthy quality of life for residents of Southeastern Connecticut.
Connect multiple economic centers, residential areas, and parks.
Conserve the land and protect the diverse plant and animal life that live there.

Our Mission

To advocate for a regional recreation trail through Preston, Ledyard, and Groton, and to coordinate the efforts of three towns and several civic and recreational organizations.

Our Story

In 2001, the Town of Groton developed a plan to build a multi‐use trail alongside Route 117. In cooperation with Groton Utilities, a route was agreed upon utilizing the Route 117 Right‐of‐Way and City of Groton property.

The plan was endorsed by 18 significant stakeholders and received a state grant for construction.

But approval for the matching funds needed by the Town failed by 2 votes. At the time, Groton was in the beginning of a large school expansion project.

Schools took priority over trails, and the project was never built.

A few years later, in 2003, the Town of Groton undertook a Town wide Bicycle, Trails & Pedestrian Master Plan. That plan, completed in 2004, identified a north‐south connection from Bluff Point to Ledyard as a significant need.

“We were stuck for so many years. But now, it’s a whole new momentum. The Tri Town Trail is taking off!”

— Karen Parkinson, President of the Tri Town Trail Association

The impetus for the current Tri Town Trail project came to be in early 2008 when David Holdridge, a Ledyard Town Councilor, approached the Utility Commission to ask for permission to access reservoir properties for trail access. (The Utility Commission is the governing body that oversees Groton Utilities). The Utilities’ response was that it does not allow public access to its properties, but that approved, escorted group activities are encouraged.

In February 2008, Dave Holdridge held an informational meeting, in association with Representative Tom Reynolds from District 42, to gauge interest in developing a trail from Bluff Point to Preston. The meeting was well attended with significant representation from the Towns including Mayors, First Selectmen, Town Managers, Town staff, and Groton Utilities and City representatives.

After such strong support, an ad hoc committee was formed and began to meet monthly, bringing in speakers from the DEEP and other reservoir systems for educational presentations.

In June of 2008, the committee was officially authorized when the Groton, Ledyard and Preston town governments all passed resolutions empowering and authorizing the Bluff Point to Preston Trail Committee. This steering committee was formed by all Towns designating three representatives, and it included a representative from Groton Utilities. It is important to note that the chief elected official from all governmental bodies was represented on the steering committee. The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECCOG) agreed to help administer the project and act as the fiduciary.

The committee evolved into the present Tri Town Trail Association in 2013 when the committee was dissolved and members formed a 501 (c) (3) organization. The group has met at least monthly since 2008 and is now nine members representing all three towns.

Meet the Tri Town Trail Association

Board of Directors

FBTTT Karen.jpg — Karen Parkinson

President
As the current President, Karen has been instrumental in fund-raising and leading the organization in the development of the Northern Section of the Trail in Preston/Ledyard.
Karen is an Iowa native, raised in an extended family of farmers and carpenters. She attended Iowa State University, Purdue University and the University of Hawaii, holding a Masters Degree in Social Work. Her work history includes medical, mental health, child welfare, administration and private practice as a licensed clinical social worker. After following her Navy submarine officer husband to all corners of the US, Hawaii and Guam, the family settled in Ledyard, by choice, as “the best place to raise our kids.” They purchased Rose Hill Farm in 1978, turning it into a successful horse farm, and now own and operate The Paddock Tack Shop. Three adult children, seven adult grandchildren and four great-grandchildren are the Parkinson Clan
Karen reflects on the parks and open space in her home town growing up and how important such outdoor experiences are to our health and welfare. The Tri Town Trail is and will become a significant asset to all of Southeastern Connecticut. Trails for recreation is now the number one item searched for by new families moving into our region.

Tom Olson

Groton Vice President, Construction Committee, Long Term Planning
“Tom” Olson is a native of Libertyville, IL, and an Eagle Scout. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Design from Bradley University, a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master in Business Administration Degree from Marymount University.
After graduation from Bradley, he was commissioned as a Naval Officer in May 1974. Following completion of Nuclear Propulsion and Polaris Missile Training, he served on the submarines USS WILLIAM H. BATES (SSN 680) and USS ROBERT E. LEE (SSBN 601 BLUE) until 1979. Following a tour in the Naval Reserve, while employed as an engineer with Johnson & Johnson, he reported as the Trident Weapons Officer for USS CASIMIR PULASKI (SSBN 633 GOLD), where he obtained his Professional Engineer registration. Designated an Engineering Duty Officer in 1984, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School, and then had assignments at the Naval Sea Systems Command, as the Repair Officer on USS FULTON (AS-11), at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Groton, CT. and as the Director of Submarines in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Upon retirement from active duty in 1997, with the rank of Captain, he assumed a Program Manager position in Groton, CT with CACI, Inc. In 2001, he returned to government service at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding in Groton until his retirement in 2018 as Executive Director. His naval awards include the Legion of Merit and Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award.
Tom Olson is married to the former Marie Goe of Stanfordville, NY. They have two grown children: Gavin and Darin, and reside in Noank, CT. He serves as the Vice President of the Nautilus Chapter of the Naval Submarine League, as a Trustee of the L.Y. Spear Foundation, a Commissioner of the Town of Groton Conservation Commission, and as a Director for the Tri Town.

Amy Stephenson

Volunteer coordinator

Amy Stephenson grew up in a small town in Illinois and has lived in the area for over 20 years, residing in Gales Ferry for the last 7 years with her boyfriend Tom and two children, Ella (16) and Greyson (13). Amy holds an Interior Design/Pre-Architecture degree from the University of New Haven and currently works at Electric Boat where she is the 2nd Vice President of the Marine Draftsman Association. In her free time she enjoys running, hiking and spending time outdoors. Amy is a member of the Ledyard Conservation Commission and has enjoyed volunteering for Tri Town Trail before recently becoming a board member/volunteer coordinator. She is very excited to be a part of Tri Town Trail as it extends through all three towns and becomes an integral part of Southeastern Connecticut.