Connecticut Day/Great Park Pursuit Events

ANSONIA 2. Maintenance. Saturday, June 5. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. /Quillinan Reservoir. Stop by anytime during the scheduled hours and give back to the environment. Bring your Trails Day enthusiasm and community pride as we pick up styrofoam, plastic, cans, and other litter. After a round of litter patrol, stay longer to enjoy the trails or bring a lunch and have a picnic. Wear closed‐toe shoes; bring work gloves and water. Park by the reservoir along Beaver Street; there is also small parking lot on nearby Buswell Road. Sponsored by Forest & Park Association (www.ctwoodlands.org). Heavy rain cancels. Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact (860) 346‐2372, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Great for Families No Dogs Permitted

BRIDGEWATER Trail Maintenance. Saturday, June 5. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunny Valley Preserve/Blue Trail. Celebrate Trails Day by helping to construct a new trail. This 1‐mile connector trail will allow hikers to avoid one leg of the Blue Trail that travels along a paved road. Meet Richard Jones on Hemlock Street (Bridgewater), where it intersects the Blue Trail. Please bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Suggested tools: shovels, loppers, and rakes. We will also provide appropriate tools. Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, Sunny Valley Preserve (svptrails.org). Heavy rain postpones to June 12, 9:00 a.m. Pre‐registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Wayne Woodard Sunny Valley Preserve, (860) 355‐3716, [email protected].

Great for Families No Dogs Permitted

COLCHESTER 2. Geocaching. Saturday, June 5. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. /. Learn about geocaching, a high‐tech game of hide and seek using a handheld GPSr to find hidden treasures in the outdoors. Geocaching is a fun hobby for everyone of all ages. Over 30 caches are within 2 miles of the event. GPSr’s will be available for demonstration or borrowing. Join us at the family‐friendly potluck lunch that begins at 1:00 p.m. Day Pond is also a great place for , swimming, fishing, and picnicking (entry fees to the park will be waived for Trails Day). N 41° 33.431 W 072° 25.078. Meet Will and Katie Vees at the Day Pond State Park Shelter. Sponsored by Central Connecticut Cachers. Heavy rain postpones to June 6, 10:00 a.m. Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Will or Katie Vees, (860) 644‐8456, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Great for Families and New Hikers Leashed Dogs Permitted

GOSHEN Nature Walk. Saturday, June 5. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pie Hill Marsh Preserve. This 4‐mile hike follows a trail that runs along the east branch of the Bantam River and through varied habitats, including beaver marsh and mature deciduous, white pine, and hemlock stands. Ruins of several old mills are also on the property. Expect to see numerous birds and wildflowers on this state‐designated Greenway. Meet Chris Craig at Pie Hill Marsh Preserve on Pie Hill Road (Road opposite the main gate of Goshen Fair Grounds). Sponsored by The Goshen Land Trust (goshenlandtrust.org). Heavy rain postpones to June 6, 1:00 p.m. Pre‐registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Chris Craig, (860) 491‐2076, [email protected].

Moderate (Gently rising terrain with a likeliness to encounter occasional obstacles) Great for Families and New Hikers No Dogs Permitted

HAMDEN 2. Hike. Sunday, June 6. 1:00 p.m. Sleeping Giant State Park. Join SGPA volunteers for the Annual Hike‐A‐Giant event. Three simultaneous hikes will be offered. (A) An easy, slow‐paced hike on the Nature Trail, a 1.6‐mile loop with moderate ups and downs. (B) An intermediate 2‐ to3‐mile hike with more ups and downs. (C) A more demanding 5‐mile hike that will include more difficult trails in SGSP. Wear supportive shoes; bring water and snacks. Registration begins at 1:00 p.m.; hikes start at 1:30 p.m. and range from 2.5 to 3.5 hours long. Meet cat picni area just beyond toll booth and kiosk at park entrance (Mt. Carmel Avenue, across from Quinnipiac University). Sponsored by Sleeping Giant Park Association (www.sgpa.org). Heavy rain cancels. Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Barbara Beitch, [email protected] (e‐mail preferred), (203) 272‐7841 (between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.)

No Dogs Permitted

HARTFORD 2. Educational Walk. Saturday, June 5. 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bushnell Park. Completed in 1864, Bushnell Park was the first American park built and paid for by a city’s citizens. Cynthia Riccio and Jackie McKinney will explore the history of some of the park’s major elements, including the Soldier and Sailor’s Arch and the Corning Fountain, on this 1.5‐mile tour. Meet at the Butler‐McCook House & Garden (396 Main Street, Hartford). Sponsored by Connecticut Landmarks (www.ctlandmarks.org). Rain or shine. Pre‐registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Cynthia Riccio, (860) 247‐8996 x11, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Great for Families Leashed Dogs Permitted

KILLINGWORTH 1. Hike. Saturday, June 5. 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Parmelee Farm/Parmelee Trail. Take a hike with Debby Butler on the new, one‐mile‐long, Parmelee Trail at the town‐owned Parmelee Farm. The outing will include the opportunity to try letterboxing and geocaching. Terrain includes fields, woods, a water crossing, passing interesting rock formations, and a gorge. Meet at the Parmelee Farm entrance (Route 81, 1.9 miles north of Route 80), marked by a wooden sign. Parking is near the old homestead, with overflow available at the middle school ball fields next door. Bring water and good hiking footwear. Sponsored by Killingworth Land Conservation Trust (klct.homestead.com/home.html). Heavy rain postpones to June 6, 9:30 a.m. Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY, but helpful. Questions: contact Debby Butler, (203) 415‐3449 (cell), (860) 663‐2231 (home), [email protected].

Moderate (Gently rising terrain with a likeliness to encounter occasional obstacles) Great for Families Leashed Dogs Permitted

MANSFIELD 3. Hike. Sunday, June 6. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mansfield Hollow State Park. Meet leader Betty Robinson at the picnic area of Mansfield Hollow State Park (Bassetts Bridge Road, 1 mile north of Route 195 intersection) from where we will follow the yellow/ski trail, join with the Blue‐Blazed , cross the on one historic bridge, and travel back on the Fenton River Trail after crossing another historic bridge. Two short bridges constructed by FMH under a Greenways grant will also be noted. This 4‐mile hike offers easy trail conditions and plenty of beauty. Sponsored by Friends of Mansfield Hollow. Heavy rain postpones to June 13, 1:00 p.m. Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Betty Robinson, (860) 429‐3206, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Great for Families and New Hikers No Dogs Permitted

NIANTIC – EAST LYME Hike. Saturday, June 5. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve. Take part in a guided or self‐guided adventure. The difficulty and distance will vary depending on the hike you choose. Meet leader David M. Putnam at the trailhead at Veterans Memorial Park (Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic). Points of interest include Mount Tabor, “Lunar Landscape,” Clarks Pond, and the Niantic River. Sponsored by East Lyme Parks & Recreation (www.eltownhall.com) and Friends of Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve (www.oswhills.org). Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions and rain plan: contact East Lyme Parks & Recreation, (860) 739‐5828, [email protected].

Moderate (Gently rising terrain with a likeliness to encounter occasional obstacles) Great for Families, New Hikers, and Experienced Hikers Leashed Dogs Permitted

RIDGEFIELD – WILTON Educational Walk. Sunday, June 6. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Norwalk River Watershed Trail. Greg Waters, horticulturist at the Weir Farm National Historic Site, and Sara Da Silva, executive director of the NRWA, will lead this informative, 6‐mile Natural History Walk along the Norwalk River Watershed Trail from Route 33 in Ridgefield, through Wilton Land Trust open space, , Weir Preserve, and Weir Farm National Historic Site. Sponsored by Weir Farm NHS (nps.gov/wefa), Norwalk River Watershed Association, Woodcock Nature Center, and, Town of Ridgefield. Rain or shine. Pre‐registration is REQUIRED. To register and receive starting point details: contact Greg Waters, (203) 544‐9829 x11.

Moderate (Gently rising terrain with a likeliness to encounter occasional obstacles) Great for Families and New Hikers No Dogs Permitted

SOUTHBURY 1. Hike. Sunday, June 6. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. /Miller Trail. Take a hike with Bob McGarry on the Blue‐Blazed Miller Trail. We’ll pass a charcoal hearth site and enjoy view points of as the 2.2‐mile loop follows an old woods troad. Expec rolling terrain, brook crossing on a log bridge, and one short steep downhill section near the end of the hike. Meet at the Miller trailhead in Kettletown S.P. by 2:00 PM. To reach the trail head, enter the park and take every right fork. Sponsored by Connecticut Forest & Park Association (www.ctwoodlands.org). Heavy rain cancels. Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Bob McGarry, (203) 264‐9028, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Great for Families and New Hikers Leashed Dogs Permitted

STAMFORD 3. Hike. Sunday, June 6. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Perimeter Trail. Join Pete Sofman and David Roberts on a 3‐ to‐4‐mile hike, which will introduce visitors to the trail system at beautiful 400‐acre Mianus River Park. Although easy, the trail is occasionally rocky and narrow. Meet at the parking lot near the red barn at the end of Merriebrook Lane (Stamford). Sponsored by Friends of the Mianus River Park. (www.friendsofmianusriverpark.org). Heavy rain cancels. Pre‐ registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Pete Sofman, (203) 322‐0724, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Leashed Dogs Permitted

TORRINGTON 3. Paddle. Sunday, June 6. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. . Enjoy a flatwater paddle around beautiful Burr Pond with leader Katherine Stover. The pond is dotted with interesting islands. A trail for hikers and naturalists to enjoy also circles the pond. Bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent one onsite. Afterwards, visit the beach and take a swim or have lunch at nearby picnic tables with grills. Rain or shine. Pre‐registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Katherine Stover, (860) 921‐7761, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Great for Families, Universal Access Needs, New Hikers, and Experienced Hikers Leashed Dogs Permitted

WINDSOR LOCKS – SUFFIELD Multiple Events. Saturday, June 5. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Windsor Locks Canal State Park Trail. This 4.3‐mile, paved trail sits on top of a dike as it passes numerous historic sites, beautiful views, and the banks of the . Friends of the Windsor Locks Canal will guide bike tours on the hour and walking tours on the half hour from both ends of the trail. Begin at either Canal Bank Road in Windsor Locks or Canal Street in Suffield. Sponsored by Friends of the Windsor Locks Canal. Heavy rain cancels. Pre‐registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Steve Sorrow, [email protected].

Easy (Most level terrain with a likeliness to encounter few, if any, obstacles) Great for Families and New Hikers Leashed Dogs Permitted