Hubbard Park Is One of the Area’S Great Resources Directions and Parking: with 1,800 Acres of Parkland Available for Year- Round Use

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hubbard Park Is One of the Area’S Great Resources Directions and Parking: with 1,800 Acres of Parkland Available for Year- Round Use Hubbard Park is one of the area’s great resources Directions and Parking: with 1,800 acres of parkland available for year- round use. The park includes the East/West Peak The Park can be accessed via I-91 South to Recreational Trails which is considered the highest mountain within 25 I-691 West to the exit for Southington/Route South Central Connecticut miles of the coastline from most parts of Maine to 322. At the end of the exit, make a left onto Florida. These are is also known as the Hanging Hills West Main Street. Hubbard Park is on the left, of Meriden and is part of the Metacomet Ridge that approximately 1 mile from the highway exit. As runs from Northhampton, MA to Branford, CT. an alternative, you may take I-84 West to I-691 East to the West Main Street exit. At the end of Volcanoes formed the Ridge nearly 200 million the exit, make a right onto West Main Street and Hubbard Park years ago when major lava flows covered Meriden. continue as above. Parking areas are readily Although originally covered by other sediments, available at the Park at the start of the trail head the process of erosion over time has exposed these adjacent to Mirror Lake. volcanic ridges and is a primary part of the regional landscape. Permitted/Prohibited Activities: Walter Hubbard, the park’s namesake, was the Hiking and biking is permitted. Picnic Tables are president of the Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing also available. Swimming, rock climbing, and Company. He gave the land outright with no strings boating is prohibited. Fishing allowed in Mirror attached except that the park was to remain free for Lake for those aged 15 and under. all residents of Meriden and that no concessions for profit are allowed within the park. The park includes woodland, lake and stream, flower gardens, and picnic areas that were designed and Picknicking Pets on Hiking Bicycling Fishing constructed with the help of Frederick Law Olmstead Leash (designer of New York’s Central Park). Mirror Lake, at the southerly area of the park, was also constructed For more information about this location, as part of this design process. The band shell was contact: built in 1956 and is the site of numerous concerts and outdoor festivals including the Daffodil Festival usually held in April. Town of Meriden Recreation Program Supervisor (203) 630-4259 Questions regarding this brochure can be addressed to South Central Regional Council of Governments Phone: (203) 234-7555/Fax: (203) 234-9850 E-mail: [email protected] Scan QR Code to access the South Central Regional Council of Governments Recreational Trails Webpage Meriden, CT Photo by Paul Gagnon Hubbard Park R ochelaDr mi) .02 r 1 D ( kwood Roc (0.08 mi) d (0.16 mi) R e Edgewood Rd g r d i D a R Hallmere (0.11 mi) m r (0.06 mi) a e r p Reservoir o p ( n o 0 a ) . C i 3 P m 1 .17 m (1 i ) Blue Hills Dr i) m Ferncliff Dr 2 4 . 0 Dr ( Park (0.10 mi) (0.09 mi) Peak Dr Sto ck in Berlin (0 g .31 Marks Br mi oo ) Dam k Meriden (0 Photo by Ben Prepelka W .15 m Southington Pe i ak ) Dr i) Trail Description: Meriden 0 m .5 (0.90 mi) (0 (0 .2 (0. 3 i) 17 r (0.06 mi) m D m Easy to Difficult Hike k i a ) Hubbard Park offers some of the most spectacular Pe (0.07 mi) ) vistas available in Meriden, including views from West i ( m 0 . Peak, East Peak and South Mountain (which actually 7 1 2 ) 9 . i 0 m lies outside of the park). These trap rock ridges are (0.0 ( m 8 West Peak 7 i ) ) m i 2 (2.21 m extremely steep, and care should be taken. In addition . i) i m 0 ) ( 16 to trails that climb to ridgelines, there are other trails 0. (0.05 mi) (0 ( Elmere W that follow relatively level terrain. .3 7 Reservoir P ReservoirAve ) e m i a k i m ) Total trails distance is approx. 15.5 miles D East Peak 8 r 0 . 0 ( ( 0 . ) i) 8 ( i m 0 Southington 6 m ( mi) 5 . 0.43 m 3 .1 2 1 Merimere (0.62 mi) Legend 8 5 D Meriden k ( i . Pea ) r (0.74 mi) m 0 Reservoir i) ( ( Berlin 0.1 Parking Town Property ) 8 3 m i (0.09 mi) m .1 i (0.07 mi 0 ) m i ) ( South Meriden Trailhead Wetlands (0 ) 8 .33 (0.08 mi) (0.09 mi) 5 mi) ) . i 0 Mountain ) ( m i (0.20 mi)(0.07 mi) Scenic viewpoint State Hwy 322 (0.34 m 27 . (0 1 0 .24 mi) G 7 Blue (Metacomet Trail) ( offe St (0.06 mi) (0 y (0 .1 w . i) 4 7 i) m H 0 m 2 Red .1 e (0 t E (0.13 mi) x m a it 4 (0 i ) t .1 06 S 5 (0. m Yellow m i) (0.13 mi) i (0.24 m i) ) m i) 4 .2 White (0 .2 Craig Ave (0 2 U r m ( nder e i 0. cliff g ) 2 Rd Orange T 3 m Belmont Ave i) d I ly 6 R r 9 ( 1 (0.22 mi) e 0 Minor Trails g t .1 s n 0 i e (0.07 mi) d North m Exit 5 d W i) u Mirror Bridge Gwen Rd Castle Dr Steuben St B Su rrey r Dr Lake Notch Rd D k Reservoir Ave r Pa e W r E r v D D rd A re a 0 0.45 Kilometers i y b n h b b n s a s u Hollis Dr n e e g n W H l i o a d r A v l M b r nd 0 0.15 Miles e Jeffrey Ln d re Eddy Ave A a e i o D Barberry Ln Trail Dataa and Content was provided by the Townw of Meriden. Eaton Ave i n s n i H l G C S Sperry Ln S e S v t e v The a Trail Map and Brochure was prepared by SCRCOGt (2016). r A G.
Recommended publications
  • Consolidated School District of New Britain
    CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF NEW BRITAIN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Helen Yung District Communications Specialist (860) 832-4382, cell (860) 877-4552 [email protected] URBAN AND SUBURBAN TEENAGERS TAKE TEAM WORK AND DIVERSITYTO NEW HEIGHTS ATOP HUBLEIN TOWER (SIMSBURY, CT)—Climbing Hublein Tower at the Talcott Mountain State Park was the least of the challenges for a group of 35 middle and high school students conducting geological field studies along the Metacomet Ridge on July 15. The students, from six school districts dispersed from New Britain to the greater Hartford area are enrolled in the Metacomet Ridge Interdistrict Academy (MRIA). The MRIA program is funded through the State Department of Education Interdistrict Cooperative Grant and managed by CREC (Capital Region Education Council), have the task of studying the environment of the Metacomet Ridge, a rocky ridge that rises above the Connecticut Valley and stretches from Long Island Sound to far above the Massachusetts/Connecticut border. According to Dr. Nalini Munshi, lead teacher at Roosevelt Middle School’s S.T.E.M Academy, the students conducted a land cover testing that includes a site of 30 by 30 meters square squares at the bottom of Talcott Mountain State Park. The students with assistance from NBHS Teachers Joe Bosco, III and Robert Ramsey feed their data into an international website for scientists known as the Globe network, where in Scientists can access it and use it for their own research. The work that the students do is considered real time science. Referring to the land cover testing, Dr. Munshi said, “we calculate the canopy cover and ground cover and measure the height of the dominant and co dominant tree species.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Review Record
    FINAL Environmental Assessment (24 CFR Part 58) Project Identification: Meriden Mills Apartments Disposition and Related Parcel Assembly Meriden, CT Map/Lots: 0106-0029-0001-0003 0106-0029-0002-0000 0106-0029-001A-0000 Responsible Entity: City of Meriden, CT Month/Year: March 2017 Meriden Mills Apartments Disposition and Related Parcel Assembly, City of Meriden, CT Environmental Assessment Determinations and Compliance Findings for HUD-assisted Projects 24 CFR Part 58 Project Information Responsible Entity: City of Meriden, CT [24 CFR 58.2(a)(7)] Certifying Officer: City Manager, Meriden, CT [24 CFR 58.2(a)(2)] Project Name: Meriden Commons Project Location: 144 Mills Street, 161 State Street, 177 State Street, 62 Cedar Street; Meriden CT. Estimated total project cost: TBD Grant Recipient: Meriden Housing Authority, Meriden CT. [24 CFR 58.2(a)(5)] Recipient Address: 22 Church Street Meriden, CT 06451 Project Representative: Robert Cappelletti Telephone Number: 203-235-0157 Conditions for Approval: (List all mitigation measures adopted by the responsible entity to eliminate or minimize adverse environmental impacts. These conditions must be included in project contracts or other relevant documents as requirements). [24 CFR 58.40(d), 40 CFR 1505.2(c)] The proposed action requires no mitigation measures. 2 4/11/2017 4/11/2017 Meriden Mills Apartments Disposition and Related Parcel Assembly, City of Meriden, CT This page intentionally left blank. 4 Meriden Mills Apartments Disposition and Related Parcel Assembly, City of Meriden, CT Statement of Purpose and Need for the Proposal: [40 CFR 1508.9(b)] This Environmental Assessment (EA) is a revision of the Final EA for Meriden Mills Apartments Disposition and Related Parcel Assembly prepared for the City of Meriden (“the City”) in October 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • Ground Water in the Meriden Area Connecticut
    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR JOHN BARTON PAYNE, Secretary UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 449 GROUND WATER IN THE MERIDEN AREA CONNECTICUT BY GERALD A. WARING Prepared in cooperation with the CONNECTICUT STATE GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY Herbert E. Gregory, Superintendent WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1920 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR JOHN BARTON PAYNE, Secretary UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director Water-Supply Paper 449 GROUND WATER IN THE MERIDEN CONNECTICUT BY GERALD A. WARING Prepared in cooperation with the CONNECTICUT STATE GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY Herbert E. Gregory, Superintendent WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1920 CONTENTS. Page. Introduction_________!_______________ ____ 5 Geography _ - 7 Geology ______________________________________ 10 Ground-water supplies- ______ ___ ___ ____ _ 13 Water in stratified drift___________________________ 13 Water in till____1_______________________________ 13 Water in Triassic rocks ___________________________ 14 Water in trap rock_____________________________ 14 Water in ancient crystalline rocks______________________ 14 Availability of ground-water supplies________________ 14 Well construction____________________________________ 17 Quality of ground water___________________________:___ Id Descriptions of towns_______________________________ 21 Berlin_________j___________.f__________________ 21 Cromwell______________________________________ 32 Meriden _________'_______________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Mass Receiving Report
    Mass Receiving Report Prepared for the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council October 24, 2013 Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Franklin Regional Planning Commission Pioneer Valley Regional Planning Commission Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Planning Assumptions ............................................................................................................................... 6 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... 7 Western Massachusetts Region .................................................................................................................... 7 Geography ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Demographics ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Methodology - Research ......................................................................................................................... 10 Determining the Mass Receiving Catchment Area Data ........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Rattlesnake Mountain Farmington CT
    This Mountain Hike In Connecticut Leads To Something Awesome Looking for a mountain hike in Connecticut that’s truly unique? Then look no further! At the top of this mountain is a hidden site, unknown by many Connecticut residents. But a little piece of folk history is waiting to be rediscovered by you. So let’s get going! Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington is a 2.3-mile hike off of Route 6. Part of the Metacomet Ridge, this short trail can be a little taxing for beginners, but it's totally worth it! Be prepared to catch some fantastic sights atop this scenic vista as you explore the rare plants and traprock ridges. An increasing number of locals have begun using the ridges here for rock climbing. They may look for intimidating, but they make for great exercise. Not to mention you'd be climbing volcanic rock. At 750 feet high and 500 feet above the Farmington River Valley, there's no shortage of views. But the coolest thing atop this mountain isn't the sight. It's Will Warren's Den! This boulder rock cave is a local historic site that will leave you breathless. Who knew Connecticut had caves quite like this! 1 The plaque affixed to the cave reads "Said Warren, according to legend, after being flogged for not going to church, tried to burn the village of Farmington. He was pursued into the mountains, where some Indian squaws hid him in this cave." It may not look like much from the outside, but the inside is a cool oasis.
    [Show full text]
  • GEOLOGIC RADON POTENTIAL of EPA REGION 1 Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Hampshire Rhode Island Vermont
    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGIC RADON POTENTIAL OF EPA REGION 1 Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Hampshire Rhode Island Vermont OPEN-FILE REPORT 93-292-A Prepared in Cooperation with the | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 9'% 1993 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGIC RADON POTENTIAL OF EPA REGION 1 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont R. Randall Schumann EDITOR OPEN-FILE REPORT 93-292-A Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1993 This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. CONTENTS SECTION____________________________________PAGE 1. The USGS/EPA State Radon Potential Assessments: An Introduction 1 Linda C.S. Gundersen, R. Randall Schumann, and Sharon W. White Appendix A: Geologic Time Scale 19 Appendix B: Glossary of Terms 20 Appendix C: EPA Regional Offices, State Radon Contacts, 26 and State Geological Surveys 2. EPA Region 1 Geologic Radon Potential Summary 36 Linda C.S. Gundersen, R. Randall Schumann, and Sandra L. Szarzi 3. Preliminary Geologic Radon Potential Assessment of Connecticut 47 Linda C.S. Gundersen andR. Randall Schumann 4. Preliminary Geologic Radon Potential Assessment of Maine 83 Linda C.S. Gundersen andR. Randall Schumann 5. Preliminary Geologic Radon Potential Assessment of Massachusetts 123 R. Randall Schumann and Linda C.S. Gundersen 6. Preliminary Geologic Radon Potential Assessment of New Hampshire 157 Linda C.S. Gundersen andR. Randall Schumann 7. Preliminary Geologic Radon Potential Assessment of Rhode Island 191 Linda C.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Thinking About Trees
    CONNECTICUT Woodlands THINKINGABOUTTREES The Magazine of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association Summer 2008 Volume 73 Number 2 CONNECTICUT Woodlands The Magazine of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association The Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Inc. Officers PRESIDENT, David Platt, Higganum VICE-PRESIDENT, Jean Crum Jones, Shelton VICE-PRESIDENT, Eric Lukingbeal, Granby VICE-PRESIDENT, David Sullivan, Haddam TREASURER, Gordon L. Anderson, Glastonbury SECRETARY, Eric Hammerling, West Hartford Directors Mark Ashton, New Haven Richard A. Bauerfeld, Branford William Breck, Killingworth Russell L. Brenneman, Westport George M. Camp, Middletown Starling W. Childs, Norfolk Ruth Cutler, Ashford Laurence Diamond, Coventry Caroline Driscoll, New London Astrid T. Hanzalek, Suffield David Leff, Collinsville Geoffrey Meissner, Southington Karen Mignone, Fairfield Thomas Mongillo, North Branford Randall Miller, Hamden Stephen C. Parsons, Cheshire Donald L. Snook, Westport Colin Tait, Norfolk Richard Whitehouse, Glastonbury Glenn D. Dreyer The state’s largest tree is this sycamore in Simsbury, named for former resident Gifford Honorary Directors Pinchot, first U.S. Forest Service chief. See page 8. Harrol W. Baker, Jr., Bolton Richard F. Blake, Milford Clyde S. Brooks, Gibsonia, PA Conserving Connecticut Annual Membership Ann M. Cuddy, Lakeville The Connecticut Forest & Park Association is a Individual $ 35 Samuel G. Dodd, Mansfield Center private, non-profit organization dedicated since Family $ 50 John E. Hibbard, Hebron 1895 to conserving the land, trails, and natural Supporting $ 100 Philip H. Jones, Jr., Shelton resources of Connecticut. Benefactor $ 250 Edward A. Richardson, Glastonbury The Connecticut Forest & Park Association is David M. Smith, Hamden affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation, Life Membership $ 2500 L.P.Sperry, Jr., Middlebury the National Woodland Owners Association, Sally L.
    [Show full text]
  • Ragged Mountain Snow Report
    Ragged Mountain Snow Report When Tudor particularising his cartouche recapping not unshakably enough, is Ransom untraversable? Zane often reduces unalterably when unpacified Garv shinglings horridly and jargonized her impetuosity. Dismounted and hirsute Hadley atomised her nonchalance wisp or ingots atweel. Camden Snow Bowl Reopen 0210 16 24 base Wed-Fri 12p-7p SatSun. Your Session has Expired. As moderate hiking in ragged mountain snow. Major events going on the reported on the privacy of nc, you go check the wettest locations around the wu weather conditions. This mountain snow reports, ragged ridge line attendants did boston area reported snowfall quantity, and many indigenous cultures and! Powder alarms and snow reporting at! Avalanche Danger which a real people read the avy report and listen to invent snow. Ragged mountain webcam TOPGAS. Please observe all parking lot but with ragged mountain up a report helps our patrol; read below to keep off. Snow up Mount Sunapee Ski Resort. Snow report updated daily updates to all ages and! Vail and snow reports for ragged mountain reservoir in progress on his ascents were the reported snow bowl are committed to avoid other. At once everything had had ever observed fell out place. Their quality Report includes snow conditions weather where they're snowmaking events and the status of every generation I learned what hook up. Get there forecast for today secure tomorrow's weather for Danbury NH HiLow RealFeel precip. Ragged Mountain ski resort was New Hampshire. Is focused on the territory guarantees a detailed weather forecast for Ragged Resort! Reservoirs are not come the remote nature as to our miserable ski for almost anyone can make it! We came there last Saturday.
    [Show full text]
  • Liparis Liliifolia (L.) L. C. Rich. Ex Lindley Lily-Leaved Twayblade
    New England Plant Conservation Program Liparis liliifolia (L.) L. C. Rich. ex Lindley Lily-leaved twayblade Conservation and Research Plan for New England Prepared by: Christopher Mattrick Senior Conservation Programs Manager New England Wild Flower Society Framingham, Massachusetts For: New England Wild Flower Society 180 Hemenway Road Framingham, Massachusetts 01701 USA 508/877-7630 e-mail: [email protected] • website: www.newfs.org Approved, Regional Advisory Council, May 2004 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY i PREFACE ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii I. BACKGROUND 1 Introduction 1 Description 2 Taxonomic Relationships, History, and Synonymy 3 Species Biology 5 Habitat/Ecology 10 Threats to Taxon 14 Distribution and Status 16 General Status 16 Status of All New England Occurrences — Current and Historical 21 Current Conservation Measures in New England 44 II. CONSERVATION 58 Conservation Objectives for the Taxon in New England 58 General Conservation Actions for the Taxon 59 Recommended Conservation Actions for Each Occurrence 65 III. LITERATURE CITED 86 IV. APPENDICES 90 1. Personal Communication References 91 2. Herbarium Specimens for Liparis liliifolia 94 3. An Explanation of Conservation Ranks Used by The Nature Conservancy and NatureServe 106 TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1. Rangewide Habitat Types for Liparis liliifolia 11 Table 2. North American Occurrence Summary 17 Figure 1. North American occurrences of Liparis liliifolia 20 Figure 2. Extant New England occurrences of Liparis liliifolia 45 Figure 3. Historic New England occurrences of Liparis liliifolia 46 Table 3. Current and Historical New England Occurrences 49 Table 4: Prioritized Implementation Table 78 2 SUMMARY Lily-leaved twayblade, Liparis liliifolia (L.) L.C. Rich. ex Lindley, is a perennial member of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae).
    [Show full text]
  • Hubbard Park
    Hubbard Park Directions and Parking: Hubbard Park is one of the area’s great resources with The Park can be accessed via I-91 South to I-691 West 1,800 acres of parkland available for year-round use. The to the exit for Southington/Route 322. At the end of the park includes the East/West Peak which is considered the exit, make a left onto West Main Street. Hubbard Park is highest mountain within 25 miles of the coastline from most on the left, approximately 1 mile from the highway exit. As parts of Maine to Florida. These are is also known as the an alternative, you may take I-84 West to I-691 East to Hanging Hills of Meriden and is part of the Metacomet the West Main Street exit. At the end of the exit, make a Ridge that runs from Northhampton, MA to Branford, CT. right onto West Main Street and continue as above. Parking areas are readily available at the Park at the start of the Volcanoes formed the Ridge nearly 200 million years trail head adjacent to Mirror Lake. ago when major lava flows covered Meriden. Although originally covered by other sediments, the process of Permitted/Prohibited Activities: erosion over time has exposed these volcanic ridges and is a primary part of the regional landscape. Hiking and biking is permitted. Picnic Tables are also available. Swimming, rock climbing, and boating is Walter Hubbard, the park’s namesake, was the president prohibited. Fishing allowed in Mirror Lake for those aged of the Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company.
    [Show full text]
  • VI. HILLSIDES/RIDGELINES the Town of Farmington Is Underlain By
    VI. HILLSIDES/RIDGELINES_ The Town of Farmington is underlain by three bedrock types which define the general topography of the Town the largest being erodible sedimentary rock. The level and gently sloping land west of the Metacomet Ridge is underlain by New Haven Arkose, a reddish-brown sandstone commonly called Brownstone, while the land east of the ridge is underlain predominantly by shale. The primary hills of Farmington are underlain by harder, less erodible metamorphic rock in the northwestern corner, and igneous rock or traprock creating the Metacomet Ridge. The slopes of northwestern Farmington form a portion of the western wall of the Connecticut Central Valley. The Central Valley is formed by underlying soft sedimentary rock, while the wall of the valley is formed by the harder, less erodible metamorphic rock of the western uplands. Metamorphic rock has undergone physical changes caused by intense heat and pressure from the Earth's interior. This heat and pressure caused the original rock to recrystallize, resulting in fused and tightly interwoven crystals. The fusing of the crystals forms a rock much more resistant to erosion than the sedimentary rocks of the adjacent central valley. The second conspicuous hillside in Farmington is the Metacomet Ridge. This ridge rises very steeply on the western slope to elevations between 760 feet at the peak of Rattlesnake Mountain to 520 feet elsewhere along the ridge. The Metacomet Ridge was formed by a series of geologic activities, including volcanism, tilting of the Earth's crust and erosion. The Central Valley region of Connecticut was originally overlain by alternating sedimentation and volcanic lava flows.
    [Show full text]
  • West Peak (Or, “Radio Mountain”) by Frank Donovan - Y’S Men Storyteller Jan
    West Peak (Or, “Radio Mountain”) by Frank Donovan - Y’s Men Storyteller Jan. 21, 2014 At an elevation of 1,024 feet, the talus-strewn rock cliffs of Meriden’s West Peak rise abruptly 900 feet above Connecticut’s Quinnipiac River Valley. As part of the Hanging Hills, West Peak and its companion East Peak are valued for their spectacular, easily accessible views north to Mt. Tom, Massachusetts and south to Long Island, NY. West Peak is renowned well beyond Connecticut. I first learned of the Hanging Hills and West Peak 60 years ago while studying Geology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. In 2012 our Y’s Men’s speaker, Wesleyan University’s Dr. Jelle Zeillinger de Boer, taught us that the Hanging Hills were formed over a time span of 20 million years during the Triassic and Jurassic periods, more than 200 million years ago. They are composed of basalt, an extrusive volcanic rock, also known as trap rock. Meriden’s basalt cliffs are the product of several massive lava beds hundreds of feet thick that welled up in geologic faults created by the rifting apart of ancient North America from Eurasia and Africa. Between eruptions erosion deposited deep layers of reddish-brown sediment in shallow seas between the lava flows. It’s a type of sandstone called arkose. The resulting “layer cake” of basalt and arkose eventually faulted and tilted upwards. You can readily observe these layers as you travel west on I-691 toward Cheshire. West Peak is also famous for its role in broadcasting, especially for the pioneering development of FM radio networks.
    [Show full text]