Just in Time for Summer Day Camp at Seton Reservation, Officials Dedicate a New Bridge

At long last, Greenwich Scouting’s Seton Scout Reservation can put Ida in the rear view mirror, as the bridge that was wiped out in that storm has been rebuilt. A ribbon cutting event was held on Saturday with members of the Greenwich House Delegation Hector Arzeno (D-151), Steve Meskers (D-150) and Rachel Khanna (D-149) joined by US Senator Richard Blumenthal to help cut the ribbon.

Also present were Greenwich Scouting council president Jim Adams, scout executive Kevin O’Shea, Dev Hawley, Nick Barile and Louisa Greene.

“A special shout out to Amaxx, Inc Contractors and S.E. Minor for all their professional services,” said Ms Greene in a post following the event.

“The bridge is a vital connector from the main reservation to the Nature Center. With summer day camp starting on July 8, the dedication of the bridge was perfect timing!”

Kevn O’Shea, Steve Meskers, Rachel Khanna, Hector Arzeno, Richard Blumenthal, Nick Barile and Dev Hawley marked the completion of a replacement bridge at Camp Seton connecting the main reservation to the Nature center, after Ida washed it away three years earlier. June 15, 2024 Photo: Louisa Greene

Council President Jim Adams talked about how the original bridge had served as a key link between main parts of Camp Seton, but was washed out during the Super Storm Ida three years earlier.

As a result access was restricted to parts of the 240-acre Scout Camp, which was established in 1912, and a large detour within the Scout reservation was required.

The property features private woodlands, two lakes and five miles of hiking trails.

After much study of replacement approaches and financing, a grant request was submitted to the CT State Assembly through Rep. Hector Arzeno and supported by the other two CT Assembly representatives of Greenwich, Steve Meskers and Rachel Khanna.

Back on a cold day in January, the same group donned hard hats to break ground on the new bridge.

The approved grant for $250,000 has largely covered the cost of the new bridge with help of donated labor, equipment and landscaping.

The new bridge, retaining walls and landscaping were completed on time and on budget.

Jim Adams, Hector Arzeno, Rachel Khanna, Nick Barile and Steve Meskers. Photo: Louisa Greene

Mr. Adams introduced Senator Blumenthal, who spoke of the sense of community, collaboration and team work that brought the new bridge to completion and thanked the Greenwich House Delegation for their efforts.

Representative Arzeno spoke on behalf of the House Delegation about how volunteers and Scouts contributed to finishing with the planting and landscaping along the bridge.

“It was a team work more than individual efforts,” he said, going on to mention that was the way that the three Greenwich State Representatives worked in Hartford.

“We worked hard as a team to obtain this grant and make the construction of the new bridge possible. We are thrilled that this grant helped our Greenwich Scouting continue the programing that makes this place so special.”

More about Greenwich Scouting is available online.

Click here for information on Camp Seton summer camp.

See also:
Camp Seton Features Fishing, Boating, Archery & Friendship in the Great Outdoors

Campers enjoying a game of chess at Camp Seton. July 26, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Campers fishing in Hillegas Lake at Camp Seton. July 26, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager