Giuffrida Park Was Originally Part of an Area Directions and Parking: Farmed in the Late 1600’S and Early 1700’S by Jonathan Gilbert and Later Captain Andrew Belcher

Home , Chauncey Peak, Lamentation Mountain

Giuffrida Park was originally part of an area Directions and Parking: farmed in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s by Jonathan Gilbert and later Captain Andrew Belcher. To get to Giuffrida Park, travel along I-91 Recreational Trails This farm, the first European settlement in this region, either north or south. Take Exit 20 and proceed South Central Connecticut became known as the “Meriden Farm”, from which west (left off exit from north or left, then right the whole area eventually took its name. Today, the from the south) onto Country Club Road. The Park contains 598 acres for passive recreation and is Park entrance is on the right. Parking areas are adjacent to the Meriden Municipal Golf Course. readily available at the Park. Trails start at the Located in the northeast corner of Meriden, the trails Crescent Lake parking lot. Giuffrida Park connect to the Mattabessett Trail (a Connecticut Blue- Permitted/Prohibited Activities: Blazed Trail) and are open to the general public. The trails have easy terrain particularly around the Hiking and biking are permitted. Picnic tables Crescent Lake shore with steeper areas along the are also available. Crescent Lake is a reserve trap rock ridges ascent of the Metacomet Ridge and water supply therefore, swimming, rock climbing, approaching Mt. Lamentation. and boating are prohibited. Fishing is also Mount Lamentation was named in 1636 when a prohibited. member of Wethersfield Colony became lost and was found by a search party three days later on this ridge, twelve miles from home. There is some controversy whether the Lamentation refers to his behavior or that of those looking for him. In 1735 a group of local men leased land on the western edge Picknicking Pets on Hiking Bicycling of this mountain in an attempt to find gold, as quartz Leash formations there seemed promising. None was ever found. For more information about this location, Mt. Lamentation and its peak, Chauncey Peak, contact: provide spectacular views of Hartford, Middlesex, and New Haven counties. 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

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c i) d i R v W E m ield r f e 2 st 1 e S . W 0 ( 0 0.35Kilometers (0.08 mi) Trail Data and Content was provided by the Town of Meriden. 0 0.1Miles S The Trail Map and Brochure was prepared by SCRCOG (2016).