As September begins and summer ends, it’s time to look ahead to fall. School buildings are preparing to open doors and welcome back students and families, and fall sports are gearing up for the new season. The local farmers are harvesting the last of the summer crops, and the fields are ripe with fall fruits and vegetables.
The end of summer and early fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoor recreation Granby and the surrounding valley have to offer. Plan a trip to kayak on the Farmington River as the leaves start to change or go fishing at Christensen’s Pond and see wildlife preparing for the shift in temperature. The cooler mornings and afternoons are perfect for a hike or walk on the many trails in the area. Work on the new walking path at Salmon Brook Park is expected to begin in spring 2024, offering residents another option to get those steps in. There is also outdoor fun at the park for the pups of Granby. Canine swims are scheduled for Sept. 10 and 24, and Oct. 8, 15 and 22. All proceeds from these events go toward the upkeep and maintenance of the dog park.
There’s also a lot going on inside at the Town Hall.
The Holcomb Farm Fresh Access program at the Senior Center continues to be very popular. An average of 80 to 90 seniors drive through each week to pick up fresh produce from the farm.
Summer Vibe, a youth drop-in program held on Friday nights, is a hit with middle and high schoolers.
Library programs were very well attended this summer. In addition to the annual reading program, patrons enjoyed Family Tie Dye, Card Game Nights and a reptile show for the kids. Check out the library website to register for upcoming programs.
A new Library of Things, which offers items such as a telescope, binoculars and hiking gear and lots of other cool stuff for circulation, is now available at Granby Public Library.
Police officers have been busy in the community: First Responder Day camp was held for 20 high-schoolers, workplace safety training was provided for the staff at Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital and officers participated in a bike safety program at a local daycare.
In addition to the usual maintenance of the roads, grounds and buildings that summer and fall bring, the DPW is also managing four major bridge projects in town. Moosehorn Road Bridge was replaced, and the temporary structure was removed. Preliminary work has started on Donahue Road Bridge and preliminary assessment and planning for the replacement of Simsbury Road and Doherty Road Bridges is also underway.
Parks and Recreation wrapped up another fun summer of day camp and shifted to fall soccer, after school programs and a new adult wiffleball program. The Granby/Simsbury Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate the Valley will be held at Salmon Brook Park Sept. 21 to 24.
Fall 2023 is also about greeting new faces, as the town looks to appoint a new town manager and hire a new chief of police.
To receive updates about these projects and other topics of interest, remember to sign up for notifications on the Town of Granby website at granby-ct.gov Click on the yellow “Subscribe” button on the homepage and follow the instructions.