Getting to Know Margerie: Building Danbury's Next Great Public Space Together

**Submitted by City Councilman At-Large and co-founder of the Acquaintances of Margerie Reservoir Trail Ryan Hawley**

Aug. 5, 2025

Getting to Know Margerie: Building Danbury's Next Great Public Space Together

We are all still becoming acquainted with Margerie. In that process, we have a chance to create something bigger than a trail. We can create a public space that connects neighbors, honors our history, and shapes the future of Danbury.

By Ryan Hawley

My Danbury Story: Where Governance Meets Grassroots

Danbury is my hometown. For nearly 30 years, I've been deeply rooted in this community, attending Danbury Public Schools and choosing to stay for college while many friends headed to expensive out-of-state universities. This long journey has given me a deep appreciation for what makes our city special.

I often joke that since we're the Hat City, I have to wear many hats! This certainly applies to my public service and the causes I support. Today, I want to highlight what my fellow council member fondly calls a "duality of interests", the convergence of my roles in this particular effort.

I serve our city as a volunteer at-large City Councilman and as co-founder of the Acquaintances of Margerie Reservoir Trail. While these positions may seem different, they represent interconnected aspects of the progressive evolution of our city. Both roles spring from the same fundamental conviction: meaningful projects don't happen by accident. They emerge when neighbors step up, listen to one another, and work together to strengthen our community. This duality allows me to serve the wider community by bridging formal governance with grassroots advocacy, essential elements in building the Danbury of tomorrow.

The Vision: More Than Just a Trail

The Margerie Reservoir Trail embodies exactly that collaborative spirit. For decades, residents have dreamed of safe access to this beautiful space that has quietly sustained our city for more than a century. Now, with $2.28 million in state funding secured for study, design, and construction, we're closer than ever to turning that dream into reality, without asking for new local taxes.

A Vision Rooted in Protection and Access

This project begins with respect for what Margerie already provides. Like Kenosia, East Lake, and West Lake, all part of Danbury's water supply, the reservoir will remain fully protected under strict environmental standards. But protection doesn't have to mean isolation. The trail is being designed as an accessible, carefully managed pathway that allows families, seniors, and residents of all abilities to safely enjoy the reservoir's beauty while safeguarding our water supply.

The vision extends far beyond recreation. Once secured as a trail, this land cannot be sold or developed, preserving open space permanently in a region where development pressure never stops. Studies consistently show that trails increase nearby property values while drawing customers to local businesses. For walkers and cyclists who currently brave dangerous conditions along Route 37's narrow shoulders, the trail offers a safe, dedicated alternative that connects residential neighborhoods to natural spaces.

The design also honors our environmental and historical legacy. Protective buffers will safeguard sensitive habitats, including bald eagle nesting areas, while celebrating the reservoir's historic role in Danbury's growth. Most significantly, the trail will physically link Danbury and New Fairfield, transforming decades of discussion between our communities into tangible cooperation.

The Question of Fairness

Indeed, beneath this vision lies a fundamental issue of equity that we cannot ignore. Danbury owns the land, but most of it sits just across the municipal line in New Fairfield. Danbury is among the top 25 tax-payers in New Fairfield. Every year, our residents pay property taxes on that land to our neighboring town. In just the past three years, we've paid nearly $150,000 in taxes for property the public cannot access.

Think about what that means: Danbury's working families are already funding this land through their tax bills, yet we cannot safely enjoy what we're paying for. Creating a managed public trail isn't just reasonable; it's a matter of basic fairness. We’re not asking to be given something at no cost; we’re asking for access to something for which we already pay taxes on.

A Turning Point Approaches

After years of studies, planning, and community input, the Margerie Reservoir Trail has reached a critical juncture. The design phase is nearly complete, and the Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee is preparing to present its findings to both the Danbury and New Fairfield legislative bodies. The committee and the professionals have done the technical work, evaluating feasibility, incorporating environmental safeguards, and refining designs based on public feedback.

Now comes the moment when community support matters most. The trail will be built, but the timeline and final details depend on showing that residents care deeply about this opportunity. Every voice that joins the conversation helps ensure the project reflects our community's values and priorities.

Your Voice Matters: Join Us August 19

On Tuesday, August 19, we have two important opportunities to demonstrate that support and learn about next steps for this transformative project.

At 5:30 PM, we'll gather on the steps of Danbury City Hall for a rally that sends a clear message: Danbury wants safe, beautiful public spaces and fair access to land we already fund. This isn't just a gathering—it's our chance to show decision-makers that this project has deep community backing.

At 6:30 PM, the Advisory Committee meeting begins. This is your opportunity to stay engaged in the civic process and learn about the next steps for bringing this trail to life. These meetings shape the project's future, and our presence demonstrates that residents are paying attention and invested in the outcome.

Building Community for Generations

The Acquaintances of Margerie Reservoir Trail has been formed to sustain this momentum, not just for this pivotal moment, but for the long path ahead. We're building a community of neighbors committed to stewardship, equitable access, advocating for maintenance efforts, and fostering the local pride and support systems that sustain trails throughout our region. Like the "Friends of..." organizations that champion other trails, we're ensuring this trail fulfills its promise for future generations.

We often say we're still getting to know Margerie, and that captures something essential about this process. Every meeting, every conversation, every shared vision deepens our connection not just to this remarkable place, but to each other. That's what makes this project special; it's creating community even before the first shovel breaks ground. The Margerie Reservoir has sustained our city for over a century. Now it's time for this precious resource to sustain our community in new ways, bringing neighbors together around shared appreciation for the natural beauty that makes Danbury our home.

This is about more than building a trail. It's about fairness for taxpayers who deserve access to land they fund. It's about community, creating spaces where residents can connect across neighborhoods and generations. And it's about legacy, ensuring future Danbury families inherit public spaces that reflect our values and vision. A hometown for everyone.

Join us on August 19. Your presence, your voice, and your commitment to Danbury's future can help turn decades of conversation into the reality our community deserves.

Ryan Hawley is volunteer City Councilman At-Large and co-founder of the Acquaintances of Margerie Reservoir Trail.

The Acquaintances of Margerie Reservoir Trail is an independent, volunteer-led advocacy group. We are not affiliated with the formal planning committees, municipal bodies, or state agencies overseeing the project. Our goal is to amplify community voices and demonstrate local support for the trail's completion.