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Greenway Trail Named Grand Marshal of July 4 Parade

When the annual Madison Exchange Club July 4th Parade steps off, the Shoreline Greenway Trail (SGT) will be leading the way as grand marshal.

The Madison Exchange Club announced the honor in a June 10 press release, describing the local one-mile section of the SGT as a "treasure" and one of the most popular trails in the state.

"The Hammonasset segment of the trail in Madison has been a showpiece for what is possible since the first stretch opened in 2014," the Exchange Club wrote in its press release. "Madison is lucky to have this treasure."

The SGT connects communities in a 25-mile corridor from New Haven to Madison, with completed segments in East Haven, Branford, and Madison. Future plans for the trail include connecting New Haven, East Haven, Branford, Guilford, and Madison with one another. In New Haven, the trail will connect to the city's proposed Harborside Trail, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, and the East Coast Greenway. SGT hopes to expand trails eastward to connect with trails in Clinton, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook.

As for its role as grand marshal of the July 4th Parade, SGT members and supporters will lead the parade with walkers, bikers, wheelchair riders, stroller-pushers, and wagon-pullers.

"All friends of the trail are invited to join the parade contingent and show how well-supported the trail is in the community," reads a statement on SGT's website.

The parade, now in its 44th year, steps off from the Stop & Shop parking lot on Samson Rock Drive at 10 a.m. and travels down Route 1 through the center of town, concluding at the Surf Club.

According to town officials, a number of roads will be closed during the parade, including Boston Post Road/Route 1, Wall Street, Samson Rock Drive, Durham Road/Route 79, Meig's Avenue, Academy Street, Copse Road, Island Avenue, Britton Lane, West Wharf Road, and Lantern Hill Road. Residents and visitors requiring access to Middle Beach Road or the Madison Beach Hotel should use East Wharf Road.

For more information or to register to participate in this year's event, visit www.madisonexchange.org.

To participate as part of SGT, visit www.shorelinegreenwaytrail.org.