Collinsville Pollen Trail
Project Overview:
Collinsville Pollen Trail (Collinsville, CT) is a community planting effort to build an extended native plant garden along a stretch of the former Central New England (C.N.E.) railroad line. Planting for pollinators, planting for biodiversity, planting for birds, bringing wildlife back and creating a welcoming space for residents and visitors is our mission.
The project began several years ago with an impressive invasive plant management effort, headed by Canton residents, Karen Berger and Holly Hambleton, along with Cherry Brook Garden Club and the UConn Extension Master Gardener Program. In March 2019, Eversource's Vegetation Management team supervised the clearing of the trail of trees to ensure electrical service to the area would not be compromised. While it was an abrupt change to the landscape, it created a blank canvas and set the stage for our collective vision.
With cooperation and assistance from Eversource and Canton Department of Public Works, neighbors joined together to research and plan for the first phase of planting which was completed in Fall 2019 with 31 native shrubs. Cherry Brook Garden Club members, local residents and Allen Place property owners planted dozens of perennial bulbs, mulched beds and broadcast thousands of milkweed seeds along the slope leading to the woods.
The objective is to continue eradicating invasive plants and commit to only planting natives along Allen Place. We are planting for the future by successively filling in empty areas with native trees, pollinator-attracting shrubs and perennials, native sedges and grasses, bringing wildlife back to this unique section of trail treasured by many residents and visitors.
Visit the Trail:
Collinsville Pollen Trail runs parallel with the Farmington River Trail (the old train line) at Allen Place, Collinsville, CT, about a mile from historic downtown Collinsville. The historic train depot, High Street Junction, stands at the corner of Dyer Ave. and Allen Place. Native plantings span approximately 1/3 mile.
Make a Donation:
Please consider making a donation to Canton Land Conservation Trust's Pollinator Pathways Fund.
1) Click on the donate button. You will be redirected to Canton Land Conservation Trust website donation page.
2) Scroll down until you see the section: Make an additional or one-time donation.
3) Designate your donation for the Pollinator Pathways Fund? Check the 'Yes' box.
4) Fill out any additional information (e.g. your mailing address for donation receipt).
(Highlighted text above shows how to donate to the Pollinator Pathways Fund on CLCT Donation page).
Volunteer Opportunities:
Collinsville Pollen Trail (click to expand)
Are you interested in volunteering? Holly Hambleton and Karen Berger are the volunteer managers of the Collinsville Pollen Trail and will post specific work days each week. There can also be flexibility based on an intern's schedule.
Contact info:
Karen Berger
Cell: 860-593-6220 (please send a text)
Email: karenkberger@gmail.com
Holly Hambleton
Cell: 860-841-1682 (please send a text)
Email: hollyhamb@comcast.net
This is what we are working on currently:
The following are done continuously:
Remove invasive species: knotweed, bittersweet, barberry and others
Study, water and care for a bed or group of plants, track health, pollinators, etc.
"Adopt a bed" for the season
Education on the trail:
respond to questions by trail users;
participate in planned invasive removal demonstrations
promote Homegrown National Park program
Update plant & insect information on white board
This work is sporadic or one time only:
ID native plants in the forest and stream side - create inventory of species
Plant or transplant native plants or seeds
Add small signs to ID a majority of native species (Sandra
Research Keystone plants for future wildflower islands
design a permanent sign with photos and text describing keystone plants
size and material assessment (TBD)
Prepare for opaque tarp to smother weeds, (May) prepare for native grass (August)
Research plants needed to fill seasonal bloom gaps or pollinator gaps
Research native plants best suited for planting in cleared area
site mostly in full sun, poor soil, lots of rocks - Right Plant, Right Place
Extension of Collinsville Pollen Trail:
continue invasive plant removal along the trail to the east and west
Devise an on-site compost pile for safe plant refuse (no invasives or viable weeds)
Project Supporters:
