Ledyard — The town and the Tri-Town Trail committee have obtained trail and conservation easements from two property owners that will allow for public access along the first 1.25 miles of the northern portion of the trail.

Once completed, the full trail will stretch from Bluff Point State Park in Groton to Preston Community Park for use by walkers, hikers, bikers and horseback riders. The easements include property between Avery Hill Road and Route 117 that connect to open space already owned by the town.

According to a news release, planning of the northern portion of the trail was funded by a grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Recreational Trails Grant Program, which covered mapping, surveying and soil testing required for the wetlands permits. The town is slated to begin the trail permitting and construction processes soon, including trail-blazing and construction of foot bridges over Joe Clark Brook.