According to Town Manager Chuck Frigon, he has visited many greenways in other towns and he marveled at the "sense of community" they give the town.

"This shows we are truly committed to our downtown area," said Mr. Frigon. "Watertown has a unique and eclectic downtown and this will truly support it."

Town Council Chairman Ray Primini said he thought it was amazing that the town's boards, commissions and the private sector came together for the project, as well as the state Department of Environmental Protection. He stated that the project went back seven to eight years, when Chuck Berger and Roy Cavanaugh began to work for the town.

Mr. Berger formerly worked with the DEP, and Mr. Berger and Mr. Cavanaugh were instrumental in getting the greenway project going, according to Mr. Primini.

"I sometimes thought this wasn't going to happen," said Mr. Primini. "I think this is a great thing for Watertown and that it will link a lot of our businesses."

The long-term vision includes a greenway/walkway along the Steele Brook corridor, from the Pin Shop Pond area on the Waterbury/Oakville border, all the way to the Smith Pond area in the northern section of town. The initial efforts have focused on the area between the UNICO Fields off Main Street and the Deland Field/Heminway Pond.

The project is being divided into three segments, with the lower segment extending from the Pin Shop Pond to the bridge at the old Fire District sewer treatment plant. The middle segment begins at this bridge and extends upstream to Heminway Pond. The upper segment begins at Heminway Pond and extends northward to the area of Smith Pond.

Future connections to other important areas of town are anticipated to include: Swift Middle School, Mosgrove Field, Watertown High School, UNICO fields, Deland Field as well as the Main Street areas of Watertown and Oakville.

"We are pleased to be working with the Siemon Company on this first phase of this project between French Street and Echo Lake Road," said Mr. Frigon.

The town of Watertown will be completing the design and permit process for the first phase on Siemon Company property, with anticipation of construction beginning in 2010. Future phases will initially focus on the area of the UNICO Fields and Oakville Green.

According to Watertown officials, while the main purpose of the greenway is recreational development, the greenway will also enhance and promote economic and community development, as well as environmental protection.

The greenway will incorporate existing recreational uses along the proposed route with the vision of developing a community gathering area.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, four America the Beautiful trees, obtained through a grant from the DEP's Forestry Division, were dedicated. Two trees were planted at the intersection of French Street and Depot Street and two were planted in the UNICO Field area.

The trees are being utilized to create an educational and dedicated Heritage Trail in conjunction with the greenway/walkway. The planted trees are in honor of the original Connecticut Charter Oak; the Liberty Tree; John Trumbull, the poet of the American Revolution; and Oliver Wolcott, the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the Articles of Confederation.

The town has also been awarded a $200,000 grant from the state Office of Policy and Management and DEP, to initiate the Steele Brook Greenway.

Susan Frechette, deputy commissioner of the state DEP, stated that greenways are important to the natural world, and that "people need a place to come, walk, and connect to the natural world, on an emotional, spiritual and physical level."

"I hope this is a long, fruitful project that all the citizens of Watertown can enjoy," said Ms. Frechette.

State Representative Sean Williams, R-68, and state Senator Rob Kane, R-32, both had a hand in procuring grants for the greenway to Watertown.

"It's common knowledge we are living in difficult times," said Rep. Williams. "There is a massive deficit at the state. I am proud to have worked on this project and to have brought this money back to Watertown."

Sen. Kane said the greenway was one of the first things discussed when he first served on Watertown's Town Council, prior to being elected to the State Senate.

"I'm doubly excited about this project," said Sen. Kane. "Now to see this come to fruition as a senator is great."

The Siemon Company donated 14 acres of land, starting at Heminway Pond, for the greenway project. Carl Siemon, president of Siemon Company, stated that development in a town is usually characterized by "developers bulldozing the trees and naming the streets after the trees."

"People want time to enjoy nature," said Mr. Siemon. "In Watertown, there has been a lot of bulldozing of trees in recent times. This is an important step in the opposite direction."