middletown trail guide

MIDDLETOWN TRAIL GUIDE

Middletown,Connecticut 2005

Middletown Conservation Commission

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ContentsAcknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiLetterfromtheMayor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiiLetterfromtheMiddletownConservationCommission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ivOverview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1LocationMap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2MiddletownDepartmentofParkandRecreationProperties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4RulesoftheTrail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Major Trails: Hiking Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 #1:Blue-blazedHikingTrail:HigbyMountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 #2:Blue-blazedHikingTrail:LamentationMountainandChaunceyPeak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 #3:Blue-blazedHikingTrail:SevenFalls,BearHill,andReservoirLoop........................ 12 #4:CuciaPark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 #5:Daniels/SchwarzkopfArea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 #6:GuidaFarmConservationArea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 #7:LongHillEstate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 #8:McCutcheonParkArea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 #9:MiddletownNatureGardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 #10:RavinePark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 #11:SmithPark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 #12:SpiderweedPreserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 #13:TynanMemorialPark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 #14:VeteransPark/PalmerField . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 #15:WadsworthFallsStatePark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Major Trails: Biking Trails #1:MattabessetRiverBikePath(openingin2006) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 #2:WestlakeAreaBikePath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Major Trails: Canoeing/Kayaking Trail #1:MattabessetRiverCanoe/KayakTrail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Strolls & Vistas #1:BibleRock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 #2:ColumbusPoint/HarborPark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 #3:ForestGrove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 #4:HubbardPark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 #5:MarinoProperty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 #6:SumnerBrookCorridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 #7:WestfieldFalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Other Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Bird Checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

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AcknowledgementsThisprojectwasundertakenoveranumberofyearswiththeassistanceofnumerouspeople,manyofwhomarelistedbelow(weapologizetothosewhowereinadvertentlyomitted).

ElaineBanksLindaBowersJaneBrawermanBrendanClaflinKatchenColeyMarieDerosierWesDowningLisaGibsonFormerMayorPaulGionfriddoStephenGionfriddoMatthewGravesJohnHangenElizabethHolderNancyKiniryMarcyKlattenbergRonaldKlattenbergStaceyLoweEllenLukensFormerMayorMariaMadsen-HolzbergKateMillerBobNolanDavidO’BrienKimPorterHoldenGeraldRankinHowardReidJamesSipperlyCarlSchlickerBrianStewartSheilaStoaneMayorDomeniqueThorntonDavidTitusLenTundermanWilliamWarnerNormZimmerShirleeZito

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December 2004

Dear Citizens,

Middletown is a city of natural diversity, ranging from the Connecticut River to the top of Higby Mountain. It contains lush river bottom forests, open fields, oak- hickory woodlands, and wind-swept rocky crags. We are fortunate to have such interesting areas within our boundaries. And now, those who wish to can explore these natural treasures with the help of this guide.

Middletown’s natural setting—on the Connecticut River and midway between Hartford and New Haven, between Boston and New York—has impacted its history, development, and future. It brings beauty and opportunity for enjoyment to those who visit the area.

As Mayor of the City of Middletown, I am pleased to have worked with the Conservation Commission to provide this handy guide describing the nature trails available throughout our great City. The Conservation Commission has worked diligently to not only protect the rural characteristics of Middletown, but also provide passive recreation opportunities for our citizens. I believe strongly that Middletown will continue to be an appealing place in which to live if we continue to preserve these natural environments.

I hope that you, along with family and friends, will take some leisure time to enjoy the beautiful open space in Middletown.

Sincerely,

Domenique S. Thornton, Mayor

DST/ed

OFFICEOFTHEMAYOR

CityofMiddletownCONNECTICUT06457

DomeniqueS.ThorntonMayor

MunicipalBuilding,245deKovenDrive,Telephone:(860)344-3401,Fax:(860)344-3540,emailaddress:[email protected]

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DearReader,

TheMiddletownConservationCommissionispleasedtoprovideyouwiththisguidetoMiddletown’sopenspaces.Developedoveraperiodofyears,theguidehasbeenamajorundertakingoftheCommission,madepossiblewithassistancefrommanyvolunteersfromthecommunity.Theguide,aninvitationtoexploretheCity’simportantnaturaltreasures,providesinformationtothecitizensofMiddletownanditsvisitorsaboutnumerousloca-tions forpassive recreation—walking, cross country skiing,nature study,biking, joggingandevencanoeingandkayaking.

TheCityofMiddletownencompassesalmost30,000acres,making itoneof the largestcitiesinConnecticutintermsoflandarea.Approximately14%or4,000acresarededicatedopenspace,consistingoflandownedbythecity,state,andconservationorganizations,aswellaslandsprotectedbyconservationeasementsorthepurchaseofdevelopmentrights.

Acquisitionofmanyofthecity-ownedpropertieswasmadepossiblebytwolocalopenspacebondfunds:afivemilliondollarfundtopurchaseopenspaceapprovedbyMiddletownciti-zensin1989,andathreemilliondollarfundapprovedin2000.TheStateofConnecticuthasalsoprovidedgrantfunds,administeredbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP),topurchaseadditionalareas.

While therearepopularopen spaceareas throughout theCity—WadsworthStatePark,MiddletownNatureGarden,andHigbyMountain—therearealsolessfamiliarspots.Forexample,GuidaFarmwith itswonderfulviewsandwalks throughfieldsanddeciduousforest,orTheNatureConservancy’sSpiderweedPreserve,withitsmagnificentrockout-croppingsandinterestingplantlife.Nowyoucanlocateandenjoytheseproperties,aswellasothers,withthedirectionsandtrailmapsprovidedinthisguide.Wealsoincludenotesonareasthatareofsmallersizebutworthavisitduetotheirgeological,scenic,orecologi-calvalue.

Thisguide is foryou, thecitizensofMiddletownandvisitors.Wehopeyouwillfind ituseful.Happyexploring!

Middletown Conservation Commission

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Overv�ew ThistrailguidewaswrittentohelpyoufindandenjoyareasofopenspaceinMiddletown,Connecticut.

These are places—both large and small—that have been permanently protected from developmentwithinMiddletown’sbordersbystateorlocalgovernmentsandprivateconservationgroups.

Themainmap(onpage2)showsalltheopenspaceareasinMiddletown.Foravarietyofreasons,someoftheseareasarenotsuitableforpublicaccessorhiking.Thisguidehighlightsthoseareaswithmajortrailsandthoseplacesavailableforstrollsorvistas.

Major Trails, whereonecanspendasubstantialamountoftimeeitherhiking,biking,orcanoeing/kayaking,aredescribedandmapped.Pleasenotethattraillocationsonthesemapsareapproximateandshouldbeusedwithcautionandcommonsense.Eachsiteincludesdirections,informationaboutpark-ing,andageneralstatementabouttheterrain,followedbygeneralcommentsanddescriptionsoftrailsatthesite.Totalacreageandownershipinformationisalsoprovidedwhenappropriate.Allinformationisasuptodateaspossible;beawarethatinformationmayhavechangedsincesiteswerefield-checked.

Strolls & Vistasincludesitesthataresmallinsizeorwithtopographyorafeaturethatdoesnotrequiredetaileddescription,thoughtheyarewonderfulplacesforbriefvisits.Theirlistingsincludethesitelocationsandtheirprominentfeatures.

Middletownalsoisfortunatetohavealargenumberofcityparksandrecreationalareas.Thesearesum-marizedinthetableprovidedonpage4.Parkswithtrailsaredescribedinthetextofthisguide,butthevastmajorityoftheseareprimarilypicnicareas,playgrounds,orballfieldsthatareotherwisenotdescribedinthisguide.

Finallythereisalistofotherresources(page50),forthoseofyouwhohavediscoveredaloveoftheseareas.Theseadditionalpublicationsprovidemoreextensiveinformationontrails,ecology,andhistorywithincitylimits,aswellasfartherafield.

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M�ddletown, Connect�cut

LOCATION MAP

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Alsop Property NewfieldStreet 15.20acreButternut Hollow ButternutStreet 5.90acreColumbus Po�nt HarborDrive .75acreCuc�a Park SmithStreet 4.40acredeKoven/Green St. Playground deKovenDrive 2.25acreDobson C�rcle DenisonRoad 3.30acreDonovan Park StackStreet 2.25acreGu�da Farm Conservat�on Area ColemanRoad 100.00acreHarbor Park HarborDrive 2.60acreHubbard Park L�ttle League EastMainStreet 3.50acreHubbard Tract WestfieldStreet 22.00acreLong H�ll Estate WadsworthStreet 103.00acreMarzalek Park MiddlefieldStreet .50acreMcCarthy Park HotchkissStreet 2.40acreMcCutcheon Park* LivingstonRoad 104.60acreMcCutcheon W�ldl�fe Sanctuary LivingstonRoad 29.74acreM�ddletown Nature Gardens RandolphRoad 17.90acreNewfield Meadows MileLane 144.00acrePalmer F�eld BernieO’RourkeDrive 6.70acrePat K�dney F�eld FarmHillRoad 9.00acreP�llarella F�eld KaplanDrive 2.10acreRav�ne Park HighlandAvenue 8.80acreRoosevelt Park MillerStreet 2.00acreSm�th Park * CountryClubRd 80.00acreSpear Park MainStreet 2.20acreSwales Pond WadsworthStreet 1.50acreTown Farms Park RiverRoad 6.00acreTynan Memor�al Park HigbyRoad 30.16acreUn�on Park at South Green MainStreet 1.30acreVeteran’s Memor�al Park* NewfieldStreet 41.00acreVeteran’s Memor�al Green* WashingtonStreet 3.30acreWestfield Falls MinerStreet 2.00acreW�lcox Island ConnecticutRiver 16.50acreZoars Pond RandolphRoad 24.70acre

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Rules of the Tra�l Pleaseusethefollowingguidelineswhenenjoyingthetrails:

• Nomotorizedvehiclesallowed.

• Thefollowingarenotpermitted:fires,hunting,trapping,orfirearms

• Swimmingisallowedonlyinofficiallynotedstateandcityrecreationalareas

• Pleasekeepyourpetsundercontrolatalltimes

• Obeyallsigns,especially“NoTrespassing”

• Sitesincludedinthisguideareopenfromdawntodusk

• Pleaseleaveallplants,flowers,mushrooms,wildlife,rocks,andsuchforthenexthikertoenjoy

• Pleaserespectpeaceandquietonthetrail

• Bicyclesareallowedonbiketrailsonly

• Pleasepackoutyourtrashandpickupanylitterthatyoufindonthetrail

• Leaveallgatesasyoufindthem

• “BePrepared:”carryadequateequipmentandsuppliesforyourtrip

• Enjoy!

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MajorTrails:H�k�ng Tra�ls Thissectionisthemajorfocusofthisguideandincludesdescriptionsandmapsoffifteensiteswithin

Middletownthatprovideopportunitiesforsizeablehikes.Thesetrailsaremaintainedunderavarietyofconditions,generallyunderownershipofcity,state,orprivateconservationorganizations.PleaserespecttheRulesoftheTrailandreportanyconcernstothepropertyowners.

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Blue-BlazedHikingTrail:H�gby Mounta�nDirections: FromthejunctionofRoutes66and147,takeRoute66westforabout0.5miles.Thetrailheadislocated

justeastoftheintersectionofRoute66andInterstate91.

Parking: There is limitedparkingon thenorth sideofRoute66 (headingwest) just east of theMiddlefield-MeridentownlineatthebrowofthehillwhereRoute66becomesadividedhighway.AsecondcarmaybeparkedattheCountryClubRoadtrailhead,whichislocatedabout0.3mileseastoftheentrancetoInterstate91onCountryClubRoad.

Terrain: Therearemanyareasthatareverysteep,rocky,andunstable.

General: HigbyMountainisanareaofseveralhundredacres,ownedbytheCityofMiddletown,TheNatureConservancy,andprivatelandowners.TheviewatthePinnacleextendsalmost360degreesfromMountTominMassachusettstoLongIslandSoundatNewHaven.Thistrail—andthenexttwo—arepartoftheBlueTrailSystem,maintainedbytheConnecticutForestandParkAssociation.Someofthepro-tectedlandherewaspurchasedthroughDEPOpenSpaceGrantfunds.

HigbyMountain is in theMetacometRange and is part of anunusual geologic formation called atraprockridge.Thisbasaltrocksupportsseveraluncommonplantsandprovidesadryenvironmentforstrugglingtreesfoundalongtheridge.Hawksusethethermalcurrentsformedbytheridgesforsoaringandcanbeenseenateyelevelwhilewalkingalongthecliffedge.

Trail: FromtheRoute66parkingarea,oneascendsdirectlyuphillonarough,stone-strewnpath.Goleftonabroad,leveltrail,followingtheblueblazesoftheMattabesettTrail.Thetrailmakesseveralswitchbacks,dipsbrieflywestward,thenclimbsnorthalongtheridgeedgetotheviewpoint,thePinnacle,828feetabovesealevel.

ContinuenorthtoPrestonNotch,whereawhite-blazedtrailtravelsdownasteepslopetothepowerlineright-of-way.Hikealongthepowerline,orreturntotheridgeandcontinuetothenorthernpartofHigbyMountainat892feetandanaturalbridgeformation.Followtheblue-blazedtrailsnorthtoCountryClubRoad.Thetrailisabout4.5milesinlength.

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Blue-BlazedHikingTrail:Lamentat�on Mounta�n and Chauncey PeakDirections: FromitsintersectionwithInterstate91,takeWestfieldRoad(acontinuationofCountryClubRoad)

west2.2milestoatrailheadonthenorthsideoftheroad.ThisareacanalsobeaccessedfromthetrailatthenorthendofHigbyMountainbywalkingwestalongCountyClubRoadtothissamelocation.

Parking: ThereisparkingatGiuffridaPark,locatedoffWestfieldRoadashortdistancewestofthetrailhead.

Terrain: Theterrainisvariedandcanbeextremelysteepinareas.

General: LamentationMountainisaseveral-hundredacreareathatbelongstovariouscity,landtrust,andprivateowners.Thishikeprovidessomeofthefinestridgetophikingandcliffviewsinourarea.ThistrailispartoftheBlueTrailSystem,maintainedbytheConnecticutForestandParkAssociation.OnlyasmallportionofthishikeisinMiddletown.TheheightofLamentationMountain,inMeriden,is720feet.SeveralparcelsherewerepurchasedwithDEPOpenSpaceGrantfunds.

Trail: Theblue-blazed trail, alsopartof theMattabessettTrail, travels4.85miles fromWestfieldRoad inMiddletowntoSpruceBrookRoadinBerlin.ThetrailascendssteeplyfromWestfieldRoadtoChaunceyPeak,whichis686feet.Runningfromsouthtonorth,thetrailcrossesacanalafteronemile,andthenbeginstheascenttoLamentationMountain,perhapsoneofthemostscenictraprockhikesinthestate.Thetrailcontinuesalonganoldwoodsroadfor0.2milesandascendsagain,reachingarockysummit.Fromhere,thetrailmakesalongdescenttoStantackRoad,whereitcontinuesuntilitmeetsSpruceBrookRoadinBerlin.

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Blue-BlazedHikingTrail:Seven Falls, Bear H�ll, and Reservo�r Loop Tra�lDirections: Southernend:FromRoute9,takeExit10(AircraftRoad).GosouthonRoute154for0.8milesto

SevenFallsPark,ontheleft(east)sideoftheroad.TheentrancetothesouthernpartofthetrailisjustnorthoftheparkingareaalongRoute154.

Northernend:Fromthenorth,takeRoute9toExit12,turnleftontoSilverStreet,andcontinueuntilthejunctionofRiverRoad.TurnrightonRiverRoad;thetrailstartsontherightapproximately2milesafterthisintersection,diagonallyacrossfromalargepowerplant.

Parking: Southernend:AtSevenFallsPark,parkinthelotatthesouthernendofthistrail.

Northernend:ParkalongtheguardrailontherightsideofRiverRoad.

Terrain: Theterrainvaries,withseveralsteepareasandsomewetsections.

General: ThisportionoftheMattabesettTrailprovidesscenicvistasoftheConnecticutRiver,impressiverockoutcroppings,numerousstreams,shallowbogs,andmagnificentstandsofmountainlaurel(Connecticut’sstateflower,whichblossomsgenerallyinmid-June).Combiningmainandlooptrailsprovidewalksofvariouslengths.Landownershipinthisareaisprimarilyprivate,althoughthereissomestateandcityownedland.ThistrailispartoftheBlueTrailSystem,maintainedbytheConnecticutForestandParkAssociation.

Trails: Themaintrail,blazedinblue,is10.4milesinlengthwith4.9milesoflooptrails(notshownonthemap).Thelooptrailsareeasierhikingandareblazedwithbluecircles.Themaintrailrunsinanorth-southdirection.

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Cuc�a ParkDirections: FromInterstate91headingsouth,takeExit20.Attheendoftheramp,takearightontoMiddleStreet.

Atthefirstlight,turnrightontoSmithStreet.Theparkisashortdistanceontheright.

FromInterstate91goingnorth,takeExit20.Attheendoftheramp,turnleftontoCountryClubRoad.Atthefirststopsign,takearightontoMiddleStreet,andthenatthefirsttrafficlightturnrightontoSmithStreet.Theparkisashortdistanceontheright,withitsentranceonSmithStreet,almostdirectlyacrossfromtheintersectionofIndustrialParkRoad.

Parking: CuciaParkisaccessedfromSmithStreetbyapaveddriveway.Ampleparkingisavailable.

Terrain: Theareaisgenerallylevel.

General: TheCityofMiddletownacquiredthis40.5-acreparcel in1974.Interstate91bordersCuciaParktotheeast.Theparkcontainsa smallpondassociatedwithSawmillBrook.TheMiddletownParkandRecreationDepartmentmaintainsagrassyareasurroundingthepond.Inthepast,thepondhasbeenstockedwithtroutforfishingderbies.Thepondalsoattractsswans,geese,ducks,andherons.Therearepicnictablesandbenchesnearthepond.

Anoldabandonedrailroadbedislocatedonthepropertyandofferslimitedbikeridingopportunities.

Treesfoundonthesiteincludesugarmaples,oaks,tulip,greenash,hickory,andAmericanbeech.ThewetlandareassurroundingthepondandalongSawmillBrookcontainskunkcabbage,tussocksedge,cinnamonfern,witchhazel,andjack-in-the-pulpit.

The park is conducive to birding, hiking, fishing, and picnicking, with biking along the abandonedrailroad.

Trail: Thereisaone-milelooptrailthroughtheproperty.Thetrailbeginsattheparkingarea,passespicnicareas,andheadssouthalongSawmillBrook.ItcrossestheabandonedrailroadtracksandthengoeseastonaridgerunningparalleltoInterstate91.Thetrailmakesaloopdownagentleslopeandtraversesbackalongthebrook.

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Dan�els-Schwarzkopf AreaDirections: FromRandolphRoad(Route155),gosouthonMillbrookRoadandturnrightontoOldJohnsonLane,

agravelroad.Theentrancetotheareaisabout0.1milesontheright.

Parking: Thereisasmallparkingareaatthetrailhead.

Terrain: Thesetrailsareverygentle,followingolddirtroadsandnarrowpaths.

General: TheDaniels-SchwarzkopfparcelswerepurchasedrecentlybytheCityofMiddletownwithopenspacebond funds from theCity andaDEPgrant.Together they comprise almost120acresof attractivedeciduousforest,withsmallstandsofhemlockandbirch,andavernalpool.Theareahasatightlypackednetworkofshort trails, someofwhichareblazedandothersnot.Thewesterntrail loopconnects totrails(someblazedinred)totheadjoiningRockfallFoundationproperty(theLinusBaldwinWoodlot).Horsesandtheirridersuseandmaintainmanyofthetrails.Becauseofthelargenumberofintersectingtrails,lackofconsistentblazes,andunmarkedtrailsthatleadtoprivateproperty,caremustbetakentoavoidlosingone’sorientation.

Trail: Thetrailsconsistofamaintrailthatleadstotwoshortloops;thewesternmostofthetwoloopsconnectstoalargenumberofspurtrailsandthenorthernloopconnectstothepowerlines.FromOldJohnsonLane,themaintrail(markedwithcircularConservationAreamarkers)ascendsgentlysouthwardonanolddirtroadpastachaingate.Turningwest,itbeginsaslightdescent,passingthroughasmallclearingwithberrybushes(at0.25mile,anunmarked,unmaintainedpathbranchestotheleft).Themaintrailascendsgentlyagain,turnsnorthandbisectsasmallstandofyoungbirch.

At0.5mile,thenorthernloopbranchestotherightandcontinuesnortherlyforashortdistance.Asitturnstocirclebacktothemaintrail,thereisanunmarkedtrailthatleadsnorthtothepowerlines.Thislooppassesavernalpoolandapartiallyreconstructedstonewalltotheeast.

Ifnotonthenorthernloop,themaintrailcontinuesnorthwesterly,descendinggently.About200feetfromtheintersectionwiththenorthernloop,themaintrailturnsleftandproceedsdownhill,paralleltoanoldstonewalltothenorth.At0.1mile,thereisaspurtrailthatleadstoasmallstream.

Themaintrailcontinuesthroughasmallclearingandafter0.2milesmeetsared-blazedtrailtotheright,whichconnectstotrailsonthepropertyofTheRockfallFoundation.Themaintrailproceedsdownhillonanolddirtroadandforksintothewesternloopafterashortdistance.Takingtherightfork,twootheroldroadsareencounteredontheright,leadinguphilltothesouth.Thelooptrailreturnstothejunctionwiththemaintrail,afterpassingtrailsontherightthatleadtoprivateproperty.Themaintrailcanbefollowedbacktotheparkingarea.

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Gu�da Farm Conservat�on AreaDirections: FromRoute17south(towardDurham),takethefirstleftafterDooleyPondontoRoundHillRoad.

Continuestraightfor0.5milestoastopsignattheintersectionofColemanandRoundHillRoads,andturnright(south)intotheparkingarea.

Parking: Thereisparkingforseveralcarsinthisoff-roadarea.

Terrain: Theareavaries,withopenfields,wetareasandsomesteepsections.

General: This area consists of three contiguous parcels, Guida Farm Conservation Area, Cassa Property, andMakuchPreserve.CityOpenSpacefundswereusedtopurchasesomeofthetractshere.

TheGuidaFarmConservationArea,ownedbytheCityofMiddletown,isa99-acreparcelcontainingeightopenfields,twoponds,oldfieldhabitatofgraybirchandeasternredcedar,andmixeddecidu-ouswoodland.Greenfrogs,bullfrogs,andpaintedturtlesareoftensightedatthefirstpond.Abundantcardinalflowersandnectaringruby-throatedhummingbirdscanbeseeninAugustinthewetmeadownorthofthesecondpond.Bothpondsprovideearlyspringbreedinghabitatforspottedsalamandersandwoodfrogs.Birdandmammallistsareonthesignboardintheparkingarea.

AuniquefeatureistheexposedJurassicconglomeraterockformation(averycoarsegrainedsedimentaryrock)runningnorth/southalongtheeasternborderoftheproperty.Therearefewerthanadozenplacesonearthwherethistypeofformationissoprominentlydisplayed.

TheCity-ownedMakuchPreserveisa15-acreparcellocatedonthewesternborderoftheGuidaprop-erty.TheCassaproperty,ownedbyTheMiddlesexLandTrustandlocatedonGuida’seasternborder,issevenacresofprimarilybeech/oakforestonthetopoftheJurassicledgementionedabove.AconnectingtrailtoGuidaisplanned.

Trails: AccesstotheGuidaFarmConservationAreatrailsisfromthemainparkingareaalongadirtroadrunningnorth/south.Mosttrailsarewelldelineatedbutunmarkedatthistime.Thereisamaintrailandseveralsmallertrailsoffofthemainroute.Thepropertyissuitableforallformsofpassiverecreationincludinghiking,mountainbiking,crosscountryskiing,sledding,andsnow-shoeing.Walkingisfairlyeasyalongthemaintrailandmoderateonthesmallertrailswherethereareroots,rocks,andsteepergrades.

AccesstotheMakuchPreserveisgainedthroughanopeninginthestonewallbetweenfields#4and#6.Anarrowtrailrunswestbeforeturningsouth,thencrossestheintermittentstreamintomoistwood-landwheretheunderstoryisdominatedbyfragrantspicebush.Thetrailturnsleftanduphilljustbeforereaching some private driveways, and connects to field #8. Itcontinuesacrosstofield#7andthenturnsnortherlywhereitjoinsthedirtroadthatleadsbacktotheparkingarea.

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Long H�ll EstateDirections: TakeRoute66toWestStreetandgosouthuntilitintersectswithWadsworthStreet.Turnright(west)

ontoWadsworthStreetandgo0.3miles.Fromthisdirection,theentrancewillbeontheleft(south).

Parking: ParkinglotsareavailabletothewestandrearofWadsworthMansion,reachedbyfollowingtheentrancedrive.

Terrain: ThePerimeterTrail’sterrainisvaried,intermittentlywet,andwithsomemoderatelysteepinclinesontheeastsideoftheproperty.TheOlmstedLoopTrailisgenerallylevel.

General: ABeauxArtsMansionbuiltin1908byColonelandMrs.ClarenceWadsworthisattheheartofthis103-acreproperty,whichwaspurchasedusingCityOpenSpacefunds.A1.5-mileperimetertrailout-linestheestate,whileanother0.5-milelooptrailisfoundintheinterior.Self-guidedtourpamphletsareavailableforbothtrailsatthekiosks.

Indifferent seasons, thepropertyhostsmanyanimals suchaswild turkeys,deer, fox, songbirds, andsalamanders.Thereareanumberofspecimentrees,someofwhichhavebeenlabeled.Indaffodilseason(generallyinApril),thereisanextensivedisplayalongtheentranceroad.

Trails: ThePerimeterTrail,1.5milesinlength,ismarkedwithblueblazes.ThistrailbeginsleftoftheentranceroadnearitsjunctionwithWadsworthStreetatalargesignboard,whichcontainsbrochuresdescribingpointsofinterestalongthetrail.Itloopsmainlysouth,withabriefswingeastalongaridge(LongHill),oneofthehighestpointsinMiddletown.Thetrailthencontinueswestandsouth,passingthroughaswampyarea,crossingameadow,andtraversingthesouthlawnofthemansion.Uponenteringawoodedarea,thetrailswingsnorth,parallelingLaurelGroveRoad.ThereisasmallconnectingtrailtotheroadandWadsworthFallsStateParkontheleft.Continuingfartheronthemaintrail,thereisagreatwhiteoaktreeontheleft.Thetrailthenreturnstothestartingpointontheentranceroad.

TheOlmstedLoopTrail,0.5milesinlength,isblazedorangeandfeaturesdescriptivesignshighlightingthestoryoftheproperty’spast.ItintersectsthePerimeterTrailattwopoints.Asignboardwithatrailmapandhistoricaltimelineislocatednearthefrontofthemansionandisagoodstartingpoint.Thetrailencompassesanoldrevolutionaryroad,beautifulstonewalls,anancientNativeAmericantrail,analleéofwhiteoaks,andasmallpond.Awidecrushedstonetrail,donatedbytheMiddletownGardenClub,surroundsthepondarea.Thelooptrailpassesanelegantcolumnedtennisarea,therearfaçadeofthemansion,andreturnstothestartingpointafterpassinganavenueofblackwalnuttrees.

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McCutcheon Park AreaDirections: FromRandolphRoad(Route155),turnsouthontoMillbrookRoad.FollowMillbrookfor1.5miles

andtakethefifthrightontoLivingstonRoad.After0.2miles,takethefirstrightoffLivingstonintoMcCutcheonPark.

Parking: Thereisampleparkingatthepark.EntrancerequiresaMiddletownresidencepassduringthesummerseason.Tousetheredtrail,parktotheleft(west),wherethereddotsarepaintedonwoodenfenceposts.Toaccesstheorangetrail,parkontheright(east).

Terrain: Thetrailsarevaried,withareasofwetnessandsomemoderatetosteepclimbing.

General: McCutcheonParkisopenfromdawntoduskandprovidesopportunitiesforhiking,picnicking,fishing,swimming,andboating.Thereishandicappedparkingandrampstothebeach,picnictables,andafish-ingpier.Trailsarenothandicapped-accessible.AdditionalparcelswithintheparkareaincludethePlumproperty, theEarnest andLuellaMcCutcheonWildlifeSanctuary, and theRussopiece,whichwerepurchasedwithCityOpenSpacefunds.AllareownedbytheCityofMiddletownandtotal131acres.

Trails: Therearefourtrailsonthewesternsideofthepark(Red,Blue,Yellow,andGreen)andone(Orange)ontheeasternsideofthepark.OnlytheRedandOrangeTrailsoriginateattheparkingarea.Ascanbeseenonthemap,theBlue,Green,andYellowTrailsareaccessedfrompointsalongtheRedTrail.

The Orange Trail, 0.5milesofeasytomoderatehiking,originatesontheright(east)acrossfromthefirstbaseballdiamond.Thetrailiswellmarkedandtraversesalightlywoodedareawithmanytalltrees.

The Red Trail, 1.3milesinlength,hasmostlyflatandmoderateterrainwithtwosteephills.Twoareas,oneatthebeginningofthetrailandtheotherinthemeadoweastofMargariteRoad,canbeverywet,especiallyinthespring.Featuresincludeanoverlookandmountainlaurelforests.

ReddotspaintedatanopeninginthewoodenfenceindicatetheentrancetotheRedTrail.After0.125miles,thetrailsplitsandformsaloopthatcanbefollowedineitherdirection(seemap).Followingthetrailtothenorth(straight)andthenheadingwest(towardMargariteRoad),thetrailpassesthroughdeciduouswoods,mountainlaurel,andawetmeadow.Thetrailisclearlymarkedinthewoods;inthemeadow,wherethereislimitedblazing,thereisawell-wornfootpath.Afterashortinclineandfollowingaright-of-waybetweentwohousesalongapostandrailfence,turnrightandcrossMargariteRoad(seemap).Thetrailreturnstothewoodstotheleft(west)afterpassingDavidDrive,andcontinuessouthovermostlyflatterrain,borderedbylargestandsofmountainlaurelandseveral largerockoutcrops.AfterthejunctionwiththeYellowTrail,thetrailveerseast(left),crossesanunmarkeddirtextensionofMargariteRoad,andcontinuesthroughwoodedareaswitholdstonewallstotheparkinglot.

The Green Trail,accessedfromtheRedTrail(seemap),is0.5milesinlengthandcoversflatterrain,exceptforasteepslopeatitsnorthend.Thewoodedareaisclearlyblazedandafootpathcrossesthefields.

The Yellow Trail, alsoaccessedfromtheRedTrail (seemap), isalmostonemile long,withdifficulthiking at the southern end. It runs north through deciduous woods, mountain laurel, and past theundersideofcliffsandoverhangs,whereicecavesforminwinter.ThesecliffsincluderockformationsfromtheearlyJurassic(PortlandFormation),about201millionyearsago.

The Blue Trail,ashort0.2-mileloopofftheRedTrail(seemap),ismoderatetodifficultwalking.Thetrailisprimarilyonthesideofahillandtherearesomesteepplaces.Inthefallitisespeciallychalleng-ingduetofallenleaves.

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M�ddletown Nature GardensDirections: FromRoute17,gowestonRandolphRoadforabout0.3miles.Theparkentranceisontheleft(between

BrownStreetandLongHillRoad).

Parking: Limitedparkingisavailable(6-8spaces).

Terrain: Slightly sloped fromnorth tosouth, thisparcelprovideseasy,flatwalkingandseveral trails thatareaccessibletopersonswithdisabilities.

General: In1995,theCityofMiddletownusedCityOpenSpacefundstopurchase18acresoflandinthesouth-ernpartof townbetweenRandolphRoadandWesleyanHillsRoad,borderingWesleyElementarySchool and theWesleyan Hills development dedicated open space.This special piece of land offersswamps,vernalpools,woods,andameadow.

Manykindsoffloraandfaunacanbeseeninthedifferentseasons.Treesandshrubsincluderedcedar,floweringdogwood,highbushblueberries,spicebush,arrowwood,ironwood,redmaple,whitepine,andspeckledalder.Goldenrod,aster,andjoe-pyeweedarecommonflowers.Communityvolunteershaveerectedbluebirdboxesandbathousesandarecompilingalistofbirdsseenontheproperty.

Trails: Themaintrailisa0.5-mileloop.Nearthecenterinanopenfieldisamajestic200year-oldsugarmaple.Tothesouth,asmallbridgeconnectsthisareawithWesleySchoolplayingfields.

Mulchedsidetrails,whichbranchofffromthemaintrail,addanother0.5milestothewalk.Thesetrailsaresometimeswet.Vernalpools,habitatsforsalamandersandwoodfrogs,arelocatedinthesoutheastcorner.Tothewestaretenacresofredmapleswamp.

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Rav�ne ParkDirections: FromWashingtonStreet,gosouthonHighStreetforaboutonemile.TurnrightonBeachStreet,oppo-

siteWarwickStreet.

Parking: Thereisa2–3carparkingareaonBeachStreetinapull-outnearthepark.

Terrain: Theareaisgenerallylevel.

General: RavinePark,ownedbytheCityofMiddletown,occupies19acresincentralMiddletown,stretchingfromBeachStreetatitseastendtoPineStreettothewest.RavineParkisanoteworthyoasisofbio-diversitywithinthecity.TheparkconstitutesthenortheasternendofanearlycontinuousgreenwayofundevelopedlandthatextendstoWadsworthStateParkinMiddlefield,aremarkableandlittle-knownnaturalcorridorinahighlydevelopedarea.

Theparkhasbeenimpactedbyhumanactivity.Non-native,invasivespeciesareabundantandincludeJapaneseknotweed,multiflorarose,andgarlicmustardthatcoverstheedgesofthetrail.Thestreamanditspondattheeastendoftheparkserveasanimportantcatchmentareaforrunoff,whichhasgrowninvolumeinrecentyearsduetoincreasedimpervioussurfacesinthearea.Erosionduetostormfloodingisvisibleatthewestendofthestream.

Nonetheless,RavineParkcontainssomefineexamplesofwetlandvegetation.Intheearlyspringthereareextensivedisplaysoftroutlilyandbloodroot,althoughthelatterhasbeencompromisedbyrecentsewerconstructioninthearea.Thedominanttreespeciesarebeech,redmaple,andseveralspeciesofoak.Theunderstorycontainsabundantironwoodandspicebush,whosemistyyellowflowersgivealovelycasttothestreambanksinearlyspring.Pagoda,oralternate-leaved,dogwoodcanbefoundatthewestendofthetrail.Horsetailgrowsinpoorlydrainedareas,andotherdampareasarecarpetedwithskunkcabbage.Pileatedwoodpeckersareseenhere,andthewhinnyofscreechowlsisoftenheardatnight.Thisisalsoagoodspottolookforwarblersduringthespringandfallmigrations.

Trails: TheMarionBanksNatureTrail,approximately0.125milesinlength,runsthroughtheparkandiseasilyaccessedfromeitherend.Itisoftensoggyinafewplacesandthereisabundantpoisonivyalongsomestretchesofthetrail.Itproceedseast-to-westthroughPike’sRavine,asteep,woodedravine.

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Sm�th ParkDirections: TakeCountryClubRoadeastfromInterstate91orwestfromtheBallfallRoad/EastStreetjunction.

TheparkentranceisjustwestofMoodySchoolonthenorthsideofCountryClubRoad.

Parking: Thereisampleparkinginthelotatthepark.

Terrain: Thetrailisrelativelyflatinslope.

General: SmithPark,acquiredbytheCityofMiddletowninJune1974,consistsof50acresadjacenttoplayingfieldsassociatedwithMoodySchool.ThemainaccesstotheparkisagatedentrancelocatedjustwestofMoodySchool.TheparkisclosedatsunsetandParkandRecreationstafflocksthegates.

Amenities atSmithPark includeballfields, aplayground,hiking trails,horseshoepits, shuffleboard,andapavilion.Seasonally,therearerestroomsavailablenearMoodySchooladjacenttotheballfields.PermissioncanbeobtainedfromtheParkandRecreationCommissiontohostafamilyoutingorcom-panypicnicatthepavilion.Handicappedaccessibilityislimited.

Various types of plants and animals inhabit the undeveloped area of the park throughout the year.Adjacenttothewoodedareaisawetlandmeadowwithavarietyofshrubs,includingsilkydogwood,winterberry,buttonbush,andhighbushblueberry.Asmallpond,aswellasasmallwatercourse,islocatedinthemiddleofthewoodland.

Trail: Associatedwiththeparkisashorthikingtrail,whichloopsintoawoodlandarea.Ph

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Sp�derweed PreserveDirections: TakeRoute9toExit10inthesouthernpartofMiddletown.Attheendoftheexitramp,takealeft

(north)ontoRoute154(SaybrookRoad)andcontinuefor0.7miles.TurnrightontoDrippsRoad(adirtroad).Followtheroaduphillforabout500feet.TheentrancetothemainSpiderweedtrailisontheleft.

Parking: Thereisnooff-roadparking,butthereisroomonDrippsRoadforafewcars.

Terrain: TheSpiderweedtrailisvariedand,attimes,verysteepandchallenging.

General: This157-acrepropertyisoneofthefirstpurchasesmadebyTheNatureConservancyinConnecticut.Thepreserveoffersavariedhikethroughdeciduousforest,primarilyofoakandbeech,pastovergrownfields, alongmassive rockoutcrops,over a rockbluff,down toa stream,andalonganold farm lane.Vernalpools,essentialhabitatforcertainspeciesoffrogsandsalamanders,arefoundhereinthespring,asarebloodroot,trillium,Jack-in-the-pulpitandwildgeranium.Stonewallsalongtheroutedatefromearlycolonialdays.

Trail: Trailsincludeamaintrailwithtwosmallspurtrails.Themaintrail,threemileslongandblazedinwhite,travelsgenerallyinaneasterlydirection.Fromthegatedentrance,itclimbsandthenlevelsout.Atabout1000feetfromthetrailheadontheright,awhite-blazedspurtrailleadstoascenicoverlookonapeg-matiteoutcrop.Themaintrailcontinuesalongthebaseofrockoutcrops.Atthedouble-blaze,thetrailturnsrightandcontinuesdownasteephilltothestream,attimesdry.Aftercrossingthestream,thetrailturnsleftandcontinuesdueeast.Furtheralong,wherethedoubleblazesindicatethestartofthelooptrail,continuetotheright.Thistrailclimbssteeplyandloopslefttorejoinitself.Thesecondspurtrail,blazedinblue,branchesofftheeasternpartoftheloop.Itcontinuesforabout0.5milestoascenicoverlook.

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Tynan Memor�al ParkDirections: TakeWashingtonStreet(Route66)toHigbyRoadinthewesternpartoftown.GonorthonHigby

Road; thepark isonthe left (west)afteraboutonemile,near theSiskStreet intersection.Theparkentranceisagravelroadwithasmallturnaroundarea.

Parking: Thereislimitedparkingonthegrass.

Terrain: Theterrainvaries fromgentle tomoderate slopes,with formerly cultivatedopenfields, anextensivewetlandcorridor,andavarietyoffloraandwildlifehabitats.

General: The32-acreJohnTynanMemorialPark,purchasedbytheCityofMiddletownusingOpenSpacefunds,offersvariousexamplesofhabitat,diversewildlife,andscenicviews.ThepropertyliesontheeasternsideofHigbyMountain,andconsistsofoldfields,forest,andwetlandareas.Duringthe1930s,thefieldswereusedforrowcrops.

Deer,coyote,rabbit,hawk,owl,turkey,woodpecker,chickadee,hermitthrush,white-breastednuthatch,andnumerousother speciespopulate theproperty.Theabandonedfields supportherbaceous vegeta-tionsuchasgoldenrod,curlydock,yarrow,wildgarlic,andpurplevetch,anddenseshrubthicketsofblackberry,redraspberry,spicebush,staghornsumac,andseveralnon-nativeinvasiveplants(multifloraroseandJapanesebarberry).Inadditiontoadensestandofeasternhemlock,treesincludeblackbirch,ash,blackcherry,beech,shagbarkhickory,whiteoak,chestnutoak,sycamore,floweringdogwood,apple,sugarmaple,redmaple,andtuliptree.

Trail: Theunmarked,buteasilyidentifiabletrail,whichstartssouthoftheparking,isapproximately0.5milesinlength.Itbeginswithamoderatelysteepslopealongtheproperty’ssouthernborder.Thetraildescendswestthroughanovergrownfield.Ittraversesnorthforapproximately50yardsthendownslopeswestthroughalargeungrazedwetmeadowthatrunsthroughthecenteroftheproperty.Turningnorth,thetrailentersadenseshrubthicket.Thenturningwest,thetrailcrossesanintermittentstreamandentersfor-estedland,predominantlyeasternhemlock.ThereisasecondwatercrossingatFallBrook(continuewestinstead of heading downstreambecause that path dead-ends).At this point, the trail becomesrocky, slopes upward, and thenveers slightly south. The trailendsattheintersectionofMassaTom Road, a woods road thatconnects Country Club RoadwiththeMountHigbyReservoirservicearea.

ThecrossingatFallBrookcanbedifficult,ifnotimpossible,whenthewater level risesduring latewinterandearlyspring.

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Veteran’s Memor�al Park/Palmer F�eldDirections: Veteran’sMemorialParkcanbeaccessedseveralways.FromNewfieldStreet(Route3)takeFisherRoad;

fromWashingtonStreet(Route66)takeOldMillRoadnorth;orfromWestfieldStreetgosouthonOldMillRoad.PalmerFieldisaccessiblefromWashingtonStreetviaBernieO’RourkeDrive.

Parking: ThereisalargeparkingareaalongBernieO’RourkeDrivetoaccessbothPalmerFieldandthepedestrianbridgethatlinksPalmerFieldtoVeteran’sMemorialPark.InVeteran’sMemorialPark,thereisparkingnearthepoolarea.OnecanalsoparkonthesideofWalnutGroveRoad,whichbisectsthepark.

Terrain: Thereiseasywalkingwithinthepark.

General: Veteran’sMemorialPark,ownedby theCityofMiddletown, consistsof41acreswith several recre-ationalfacilitiesincludingapublicpool,softballfield,playscapes,picnicareas,horseshoepits,andtwosmallpavilions.Theopenspaceareaisinthenorthwesternpartofthepark.Thereisawell-definedtrailalongtheperimeter,andthereisanoutstandinggroveofwalnuttreeshere.

PalmerFieldisusedformanycitysportsevents;theMiddletownSportsHallofFameislocatedhereaswell.Therearerestroomfacilitiesinbothparks.TheCoginchaugRiverrunsbetweenthetwoparks.

Trails: Thereisanexercisetrail,approximatelyaonemileloop,thatcanbeusedforrunning(seemap).

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Wadsworth Falls State ParkDirections: TakeRoute66toWestStreet(Route157).GosouthonWestStreetuntilthefirststopsign.Turnright

(west)andfollowRoute157tothemainparkentranceontheleft.

Parking: Alargeparkinglotislocatedatthemainentrance,whereastateparkfeeischargedduringseason.Thereisalsolimitedparkinginapull-outalongCherryHillRoadinMiddlefield(seemap).

Terrain: Themaintrail isflattestandmostaccessibletohikers.Othertrailsvaryfromfairlyflattoextremelysteep.

General: ClarenceWadsworthwilledthe267-acreparcel,locatedinbothMiddletownandMiddlefield,tothestatein1942.Specialfeaturesincludetwobrooks,twomajorstreams,theCoginchaugRiver,andtwowaterfalls.Thelargerofthetwo,WadsworthFalls,isacrossafieldfromtheparkinglotonCherryHillRoad.Manytrailswindthroughthepark.

The Main Trail, about1.5mileslongandblazedinorange,iseasiesttoaccessfromthemainparkingarea.FromtheCherryHillRoadparkingarea,thetrailisontheleft,upthehillandacrossasmallbridge.Thetrailwindsthroughdeciduousforestandlargemountainlaurelbushes.Mostothertrailsintersectwiththemaintrail.

The Deer Trail, blazedingreen,issomewhatsteeponitssouthwestend.ItrunsbetweentheWhiteBirchTrail(nearitsjunctionwiththeBridgeTrail)andtheMainTrail.

The Little Falls Trail, blazed indarkblue, is steepandnarrow.Itbranches fromthemain trail andcrossesWadsworthBrookatitslowestpoint.LittleFallsisvisibleontheupstreamsidewherethebrookflowsoveralargeoutcroppingofbrownstone.Itisespeciallymagnificentinspringorafteraheavyrain.Onthewestsideofthebrook,asteepinclineleadsbacktothemaintrail.

The Bridge Trail, blazedinlightblue,followsLaurelBrookandisnamedforthebrownstonebridgethatwasconstructedbytheCivilianConservationCorpsduringtheDepression.Thoughrelativelyflat,thetrailhasmanyrocksandtreeroots.ItrunseasterlyfromthemaintrailtoLaurelGroveRoad.

The White Birch Trail, blazedinwhite,passesthroughmultiplestandsofmaturewhitebirchtrees.Itisatrailofvariedterrainandhikingdifficulty(seemapforlocation).

The Cedar Loop Trail, blazed in red, is named for the pre-dominanttreealongthisroute(seemapforlocation).

The Laurel Brook Trail, blazedinyellow,canbereachedfromthe BridgeTrail or from the White BirchTrail. It followsLaurelBrookalong theeastern sideof thepark,withmanysteepandnarrowsections.Steepareasofthistrailcanbeicyandtreacherousinwinter.

The White Birch Ridge Trail isashortstretchoftrailthatcanbewetanddifficulttowalk(seemap).

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MajorTrails:B�cycle Tra�ls TheoverallvisionofMiddletown’sbikewaysystemistoconnectresidentialareas,commercialproperties,

parks,andschoolswithintheCity,andtolinkMiddletownwithneighboringtowns.TheCityintendstoextendtheexistingtrailstothedowntownriverfrontareainthefuture.

Twotrailsarefeaturedhere:the2.2mileWestlakeAreaBikePath,whichopenedin1999,anda2.9mileMattabessetRiverBikePath,projectedtoopenin2006.Bothofthesetrailsareclosedduringthewintermonths.

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Directions: FromInterstate91south,takeExit21(Route372).Attheendoftheramp,gostraightandcontinuetotheendofIndustrialParkRoad.TurnrightontoSmithStreet.CuciaParkisontheleft,whereparkingaccesstothebikepathsislocated.

FromInterstate91north,takeExit20(CountryClubRoad/MiddleStreet).TurnleftattheendtherampontoCountryClubRoad.TakethefirstrightontoMiddleStreet.TurnrightatthefirsttrafficlightontoSmithStreet.CuciaParkisontheright,whereparkingaccesstothebikepathsislocated.

Parking: AmpleparkingisavailableatCuciaPark,whichisconnectedtothistrailbytheWestlakeBikePath.

Terrain: Thetrailismostlylevelwithsomegentletomoderateslopes.

General: ThisbiketrailisonlandownedorundereasementbytheCityofMiddletown.Thissectionofthetrail,scheduledtoopenin2006,willbeaten-footwidepavedbituminoustrailthatwillprovidescenicvistasandaccesstotheMattabessetRiverforfishingandbirdwatching.Itisopentobicycles,rollerbladers,andstrollersandiswheelchairaccessible.Thetrailisclosedinthewinter.

Trail: The2.9miletrailbeginsonWestlakeDrivenearRoute217,wheretheWestlakeBiketrailends.Itpro-ceedsnorthandtheneastalongtheriver,underEastStreet,andformsalooparoundtheMeadowsatRiverbendsubdivision,runningparalleltoTuttleRoadinsomesections.

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Westlake Area B�ke PathDirections: FromInterstate91south,takeExit21(Route372).Attheendoftheramp,gostraightandcontinueto

theendofIndustrialParkRoad.TurnrightontoSmithStreet.CuciaParkisontheleft,whereparkingaccesstothebikepathsislocated.

FromInterstate91north,takeExit20(CountryClubRoad/MiddleStreet).TurnleftattheendtherampontoCountryClubRoad.TakethefirstrightontoMiddleStreet.TurnrightatthefirsttrafficlightontoSmithStreet.CuciaParkisontheright,whereparkingaccesstothebikepathsislocated.

Parking: AmpleparkingisavailableatCuciaPark.

Terrain: Thisisalevel,paved,street-littrail,thatiseight-feetwideandseparatedfromtheroadwaybyagrassbuffer.

General: Thebiketrail,whichopenedinMay1999,is2.2mileslong.Itislocatedinaresidential/commercialareaanddesignedwithspecialconsiderationforcommuters.

Trail: ThetrailbeginsonMiddleStreetattheintersectionofBradleyStreetandAetnaDrive.ItproceedssouthalongMiddleStreettoSmithStreet,theneastonSmithStreet,continuingundertheInterstate91overpasstoWestlakeDrive.FromtherethetrailheadsnorthonWestlakeDrivetoitsterminusnearRoute217.

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MajorTrails:Canoe/Kayak Tra�l InMiddletown,wearefortunatetobelocatedontheConnecticutRiver,namedTheLongTidalRiver

byNativeAmericans.Oneofitsmajortributaries,theMattabessetRiver,definesthenorthernboundaryofMiddletown,asitflowssoutheasterlyintotheConnecticutRiver.TheMattabessetgainsstrengthandvolumewhenjoinedbyitssistertributary,theCoginchaugRiver,beforeitmeetstheConnecticutjustnorthoftheArrigoniBridge.CromwellMeadows(alsocalledRoundandBoggyMeadows)isalargefreshwatertidalwetlandlocatedattheconfluenceoftheMattabessetandCoginchaugRiversthatisrecognizedregionally,nationally,andinternationallyforitsrarespecies,fisheries,wetlands,waterbirds,andunusualhabitat.Thesearewonderfulareastoexploreincanoesorkayaks.

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Mattabesset R�ver Canoe/Kayak Tra�lDirections/Parking: Sawmill Pub –TakeRoute9toExit19(Route372/WestStreet).TurnwestontoWestStreet,

andleftontoRoute3atthestoplightbeforeStop&Shop.TheSawmillPubisabout0.25milesontheleftsideofroad.Pleaseparkinthedelineatedparkingspaces.Note:AsofOctober2004,thePubhasclosedandthepropertyhasbeensold.Plansaretokeepthetrailaccessopen.

Harbor Park – TakeRoute9toExit15(Route66/WashingtonStreet).TakeanimmediateleftontodeKovenDrive,whichparallelsRoute9.Travelabout0.5miles,andturnleftatthestoplightatUnionStreet.GounderRoute9,turnleftontoHarborDrive,andthenrightintotheparkingareabytheboat-house,nexttotherestaurant.

Trail Difficulty:TheMattabessetRiver sectionof the trail is a fairlyeasypaddledownstream,generally suitablefornoviceboaters.However,whentravelingontheConnecticutRiver,watchoutforlargeboattraffic,strongcurrents,andtides.

General: The canoe/kayak trail and accompanying guide were developed by the Connecticut River CoastalConservationDistrict (formerly,MiddlesexCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict),based inMiddletown,CT,withfundingfromtheSilvioO.ConteNationalFishandWildlifeRefugeandtheLongIslandSoundLicensePlateProgram,ConnecticutDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.ThelaunchareaisonthepropertyoftheSawmillPub,whoseownershavegraciouslyalloweduseoftheirpropertyforpublicaccesstotheriver.

Trail: TheMattabessetRivertrailbeginsbehindSawmillPub,at24ShunpikeRoad(Route3)inCromwell,andendsatHarborParkinMiddletown.ThetriptimefromSawmillPubtoHarborParkisapproxi-mately2hours.

Aninterpretivesignandtrailguideboxarelocatedneartheentrancetothetrail.Followthetraildownashortsetofstairstotheriver’sedgetolaunchyourboat.Turnleft(downstream)attheput-inspot.Thecanoe/kayaktrailwinds itswaydownstreamfromthePubthroughCromwellMeadows,a largefreshwatertidalwetlandattheconfluenceoftheCoginchaugandMattabessetrivers,andouttotheConnecticutRivertoHarborPark.

TheSawmillPublaunchareaisverymuddyatlowtide,soitisbesttobeginyourtripduringhightide.IfyouplantotakeoutatHarborPark,youcanleaveasecondcarthere.WhenusingthepublicdockatHarborPark,pleaseyieldtoanycrewteamsdepartingandarrivingatthedock.Ifyouplantoreturntothepub,again,beawareofthetides.

Special Note: • Children11yearsandunderarerequiredbyStatelawtowearapersonalflotationdevice(PFD)atall

timeswhileonavessel,althoughPFDusageisencouragedstronglyforbothchildrenandadults.TheremustalwaysbeonePFDinthevesselforeachperson.Canoeists/kayakersmustwearPFDsduringcoldweathermonthsfromOctoberthroughMay.

• Beawarethatwaterfowlhuntersusetheriverandthisareafrommid-OctoberthroughDecember.

• Pleasebemindfulthatthisareaishometoseveralspeciesofendangeredorthreatenedbirds.Tomini-mizedisturbancetonestingandforagingbirds,smallcreeksandmarshedgesshouldbeavoided.

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Strolls & V�stas ThereareseveralsiteswithinMiddletownthatareworthavisitbutdonotprovideextensivetrailsthatwarrantalongstay.ThesearedescribedbelowandcanbefoundontheLocationMaponpage4.Citystreetsandhighwayshelplocatetheareas.

Bible Rock OnthewestsideofRoute154,justnorthoftheSevenFallsparkingareainHaddam,isaneight-foottall,

free-standinggraniterockintheshapeofanopenedBibleonarelativelyflatpieceofland.Theparcelonwhichitsits, locatedontheHaddam/Middletownline,wasgiventotheStateofConnecticutbyClarenceWadsworthofLongHillEstateandWadsworthStateParkintheearly1940s.Moresignageisplannedforthefuture.ToaccessBibleRock,turnontoThayerRoad,enterthefirstprivatedrivewayontherightandcontinuetothepath.

Columbus Point/Harbor Park This3.5-acreparkislocatedonthewesternbankoftheConnecticutRiver,betweenRoute9andthe

riverneardowntownMiddletown.OnthesouthernendisColumbusPoint,asmallgrassyareawithastatueofColumbus.AwalkwayconnectsColumbusPointwithHarborParktothenorth.Aneast-westpedestriantunnelunderRoute9connectsthenorthernendofHarborParktothemaindowntownarea.BothparkshavepicnictablesandexcellentviewsoftheConnecticut River, Portland, and the Arrigoni Bridge.TheareaisownedbytheCityofMiddletown.

Forest Grove Thisisa6-acreparcellocatedbetweenthewestsideof

Forest Street and the Coginchaug River.The RockfallFoundationownsthisnarrowstripofland,withonepath.Itisaneasywalkwithflatterrain.Thereareniceviewsoftheriverinthishemlockanddeciduousgrove.ParkingforaboutfourcarsisavailablealongForestStreet,0.2milesnorthofWadsworthStreet.

Hubbard Park This35-acreparcel,ownedbytheCityofMiddletown,

is located next to Spencer School onWestfield Street.AlthoughtheparcelcanbeaccessedfromSpencerSchool,itispreferabletoaccessitfromNathanHaleRoad,offofPhedonParkway,whichcanbeaccessedfromBarbaraRoadandOldMillRoad.ParkingisonthesideofNathanHaleRoad,whereasignidentifiesthetract.Thisprimarilydeciduouswoodedareahasseveralinformallymarkedtrails.Theterrainisflatandeasytowalk.

Marino This1.7-acreparcel,ownedbytheMiddlesexLandTrust,islocatedonatriangularpieceoflandbetween

MainStreetExtensionandMillStreet.Thebeginningofthepathintothispreserve,indicatedbyasmallmarkeronawhitepostatthetrailhead,islocatedonMillStreetdirectlyacrossfromFrontStreet.Ashort path leads toSumnerBrook and ends at a small rockybeachwhere the streambroadensout.Bewareofpoisonivy.

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Sumner Brook Corridor TheMiddlesexLandTrusthasacquiredover80acresalongSumnerBrookintheSouthFarmssection

ofMiddletown.ParcelsaregenerallylocatednearMillbrookRoadsouthofRandolphRoad.Theyarecomposedprincipallyofopenfields,wetlands,andsmallgrovesoftrees.Althoughtherearenotrails,theyareinterestingplacestovisitforbirdwatching,ashortstrollinaveryruralsetting,and,ifdryenough,apicnic.MostofthefollowinginformationcomesfromtheMiddlesexLandTrustTrailGuide.

Harris Preserve: This36-acrepreserveiscomposedmostlyofwetlandsandopenflatland.ParkonthenorthsideofWilcoxRoadandwalkinbetweenhouse#36and#60.

Jackson Farms Preserve:LocatedonthesouthsideofWilcoxRoad,this5.5acrepreserveisfrequentlywetbutworthvisiting.Parkonthesideofroadandenterbetweenthebrookandthehousetotheeast.

South Farms Preserve: Covering22acres,thispreserveisprimarilyovergrownfieldsonwhichtrailsareplannedforthefuture.Foraccess,parkonLyceumRoad.

Longworth Preserve: This23-acrepreservewithaneast-westorientationislocatedontheeastsideofMillbrookRoad,acrossfromtheintersectionwithLivingstonRoad.Thewestsideofthepropertyisahayfieldand,totheeastacrossSumnerBrook,isaridgeonwhichseverallargeoaksarelocated.

Westfield Falls This4-acreparcel,ownedbytheCity,isonthenorthernsideofMinerStreet,approximatelyonemile

westofEastStreet.Thereisspacefortwocarstoparknexttoseveralstonebarriers.Theshorttrailisrockyanduneveninspots,withasignificantdrop-offalongitsedge.Thefallsareabout100feethigh,surroundedbyrockledgesandhemlockforest.

RedAdmiralButterfly

AmericanGoldfinch

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Other ResourcesThereareanumberofexcellenthiking,walking,orinformationalguidesspecifictotheMiddletownareawithinfor-mationtosupplementthe Middletown Trail Guide.Theyinclude:

Connecticut Walk Book: A Trail Guide to The Connecticut Outdoors. 1997.ConnecticutForestandParkAssociation,16MeridenRoad,Rockfall,CT06481.Thiscompleteguidetotheblue-blazedhikingtrailsinConnecticutcanbeobtainedfromtheConnecticutForestandParkAssociation,(860)346-2372.$18.00.Add$4.00forshippingandhandlingifitistobemailed.

Country Walks in Connecticut: A Guide to The Nature Conservancy Preserves. SecondEdition.1989.SusanCooley.ThistrailguideisavailablefromTheNatureConservancy,(860)344-0716.$8.95

Mattabesset River Canoe/Kayak Trail Guide. 2001.MiddlesexCountySoil andWaterConservationDistrict (nowConnecticutRiverCoastalConservationDistrict).Thislaminatedtrailguidecanbeobtainedbycon-tacting theConservationDistrict at (860)346-3282.Copies are also available at the launcharea atSawmillPubinCromwell.

Middlesex County Trails. Undated.TheRockfallFoundation.ThisbrochureisfreeandcanbeobtainedbycontactingTheRockfallFoundation,(860)347-0340.

The Middlesex Land Trust Trail Guide: Selected Walks on Trust Preserves.2000.TheMiddlesexLandTrust.Thispublica-tionisfreeandcanbeobtainedbycontactingtheMiddlesexLandTrust,(860)343-7537.

Trees of Middletown, a Walking Tour through the Urban Forest. 1994.JoAnJohnstoneChace.ThispublicationisfreeandcanbeobtainedbycontactingTheRockfallFoundation,(860)347-0340.

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____Red-throatedLoon W____CommonLoon W____Pied-billedGrebe____Double-crestedCormorant____GreatCormorant W

____AmericanBittern S____Green-backedHeron____GreatBlueHeron____GreatEgret____SnowyEgret S

____CanadaGoose____SnowGoose U____WoodDuck S____Green-wingedTeal S____Blue-wingedTeal M____AmericanBlackDuck____Mallard____NorthernPintail M____Ring-neckedDuck M____Bufflehead W____HoodedMerganser M____CommonMerganser M____Red-breastedMerganser M____MuteSwan

____LaughingGull S____Ring-billedGull____HerringGull____GreatBlack-backedGull

____CommonTern S____LeastTern S

____VirginiaRail____Sora S

____TurkeyVulture____Osprey S____BaldEagle____NorthernHarrier____Sharp-shinnedHawk____Cooper’sHawk____Red-shoulderedHawk____Broad-wingedHawk M S____Red-tailedHawk____GoldenEagle W U____AmericanKestrel____Merlin____PeregrineFalcon

____EasternScreech-Owl____GreatHornedOwl____BarredOwl____Saw-whetOwl U

____Ring-neckedPheasant____RuffedGrouse____WildTurkey

____Killdeer____SpottedSandpiper S____CommonSnipe M____AmericanWoodcock S

____RockDove____MourningDove

____BeltedKingfisher

____Black-billedCuckoo S U____Yellow-billedCuckoo S U

____CommonNighthawk M S____Whip-poor-will S

____Ruby-throatedHummingbirdS

____AmericanCrow____FishCrow____CommonRaven U____BlueJay

____HornedLark

____Red-belliedWoodpecker____Yellow-belliedSapsucker____DownyWoodpecker____HairyWoodpecker____NorthernFlicker____PileatedWoodpecker

B�rd Checkl�st FollowingisalistofbirdsthatmaybefoundalongMiddletowntrailsinvariedhabitats.

Wwinterresident;Ssummerresident;Mmigrant;Uuncommom;(nosymbolisyear-roundresident)

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____Red-breastedNuthatch____White-breastedNuthatch

____BrownCreeper

____EasternKingbird S____Olive-sidedFlycatcher M____EasternWood-Pewee S____AlderFlycatcher S____WillowFlycatcher S____LeastFlycatcher S____EasternPhoebe S____GreatCrestedFlycatcher S

____PurpleMartin S____TreeSwallow____N.Rough-wg.Swallow S____BankSwallow S____BarnSwallow S

____ChimneySwift S

____CarolinaWren____HouseWren S____WinterWren____MarshWren

____Golden-crownedKinglet____Ruby-crownedKinglet____Blue-grayGnatcatcher S

____Veery S____HermitThrush S____WoodThrush S____AmericanRobin____Rufous-sidedTowhee____EasternBluebird

____GrayCatbird____NorthernMockingbird____BrownThrasher

____CedarWaxwing

____EuropeanStarling

____White-eyedVireo S____SolitaryVireo S____Yellow-throatedVireo S____WarblingVireo S____Red-eyedVireo S

____Blue-wingedWarbler S____NorthernParula S____YellowWarbler S ____Chestnut-sidedWarbler S____Black-throatedBlueWarbler S____Yellow-rumpedWarbler____Black-throatedGreenWarblerS____PineWarbler S____PrairieWarbler S____PalmWarbler M____BlackpollWarbler M____Black-and-whiteWarbler S____AmericanRedstart S____Worm-eatingWarbler S____Ovenbird S____NorthernWaterthrush M____LouisianaWaterthrush S____CommonYellowthroat ____HoodedWarbler S U____Wilson’sWarbler S U____CanadaWarbler S U

____Black-cappedChickadee

____TuftedTitmouse

____Bobolink S____Red-wingedBlackbird____EasternMeadowlark S____CommonGrackle____Brown-headedCowbird

____AmericanTreeSparrow W____ChippingSparrow S____FieldSparrow S____FoxSparrow____SongSparrow____SwampSparrow____White-throatedSparrow____White-crownedSparrow SM

____HouseSparrow

____OrchardOriole S____NorthernOriole(“Baltimore”)

____NorthernCardinal____PurpleFinch____HouseFinch____AmericanGoldfinch____Dark-eyedJunco W____CommonRedpoll U____IndigoBunting S____Rose-breastedGrosbeak S____EveningGrosbeak W____RedCrossbill U____SnowBunting W

____ScarletTanager S

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middletown trail guide

Documents