Newsletter of the West Rock Ridge Park Association Spring 2011 DANIEL C. ESTY NAMED FROM THE PRESIDENT : NEW DEP-ENERGY HEAD A Welcome, A Farewell, and a Beautiful Legacy Governor Dannel Malloy has named Daniel C. We welcome Dan Esty to his new role as Esty as commissioner of the state’s newly commissioner of the state’s Department of Energy consolidated Department of Energy and and Environmental Protection, and we look forward Environmental Protection (DEEP). to working with him. We are sure he will serve the The appointment and departmental change are state and our parks well. both expected to be approved by the General Assembly. We bid a sad farewell to Dr. Stephen Collins, who died October 7. In his role as professor, he Esty is the Hillhouse Professor of Environmental ensured that the next generation would value science, Law and Policy at both the Yale Law School and the nature, bio-diversity, and the environment, and he School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences. In his new role he will oversee merging the Dept. of inspired many students to pursue careers in Environmental Protection and the Dept. of Public environmental or science fields. In his role as Utility Control as part of Malloy’s effort to citizen-volunteer, Steve was one of the great forces streamline government and shrink the state budget. who helped ensure that Connecticut would have this (continued on page 4) wilderness park; he was also a founder and vice- president of this Park Association. Steve, his wife Barrie, and their colleagues are a wonderful example of Margaret Mead’s wise observation: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” West Rock Ridge State Park is one of Steve’s many beautiful legacies. As you will read in the following pages, the Park is enjoyed by birds and birders, rare butterflies and lepidopterists, schoolchildren and professors, bicyclists, runners, and walkers, and is a joyful venue for Earth Day celebrations and energetic fundraisers to support environmental organizations, Habitat for Humanity and LiveStrong. Join in some of these events, and Summit Highlights enjoy the park on your own. And whenever you Hikers Gene Sullivan and Lucia Bianchi invite you enjoy this beautiful park, think with gratitude of to join them Saturday, June 4, for a walk to the south Steve Collins and his fellow pioneers who created end of the West Rock Ridge (see Coming Events, this park for Connecticut! page 2). – Ted (Theodore B.) Lynn, WRRPA President COMING EVENTS –MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Sat. April 2: 9 a.m. New Haven Bird Club trip will focus on two breeding species at West Rock Ridge: Common Raven and Peregrine Falcon. Trip begins at western lowlands at cliff base in Woodbridge to observe female incubating a clutch of eggs, then drives to ridge top to observe male raven soaring, bringing in food and trading duties with the female. Afterwards, view resident falcon pair as they move toward egg-laying to observe stooping for prey, preening, defending territory and nest preparation. Bring binoculars! Leader: Steve Broker (203-272-5192/747-6843). MEET: Lunar Dr., Woodbridge, south end of Konold’s Pond, off Bradley Rd (off Rt. 69). Sat. April 16: 8 a.m. New Haven Bird Club trip to see some early spring migrants such as Palm, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Eastern Phoebes. The walk will be oriented to beginning birders. Leader: Chris Loscalzo (203-389-6508; [email protected]). MEET: Lake Wintergreen parking lot at south end of Main St., Hamden April 5 – June 9: West Rock Rangers, a project based after-school program for grades 6-8. A program using West Rock trails. www.commongroundct.org or 203-389-4333 x 1213. Sat. April 30: 10 a.m. CT Butterfly Association field trip to West Rock to look for early butterflies such as the rare Falcate Orange-tip, Brown Elfin and Juniper Hairstreak. Mostly relatively easy walk up an old roadway but there may be some trail hiking, which is generally flat but rocky. Leader: Larry Gall, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (203-454-4612). MEET: West Rock Ridge State Park entrance, park across street at West Rock Nature Center lot on Wintergreen Ave., New Haven-Hamden line, just south of Wilbur Cross overpass. Sat. April 30: all day Rock to Rock Earth Day Bicycle Ride (see story on page 3) Sat. May 21: 10a.m.-3 p.m. Annual Organic Seedling Sale and Farm Festival at Common Ground High School. A variety of healthy seedlings for your garden, inc. heirloom and hybrid varieties. Priced $1-4. Also tractor rides, music, face painting, ice cream making, games and live sheep shearing. Free admission. Location: 385 Springside Avenue, New Haven (adjoining park). www.commongroundct.org. Sat. June 4: 1:30 p.m. Join the Bethany Wanderers for easy road walk to summit of West Rock Ridge State Park to see historic Judges Cave, and enjoy the best view in southern CT from summit parking lot. Descend by woodland trail. Leader; Lucia Bianchi (203-389-2398). MEET: West Rock Nature Center pkg lot, Wintergreen Ave, Hamden-New Haven line. Sat. July 2: 10 am-noon (be prompt!) CT Butterfly Association and Regional Water Authority- sponsored trip to Lake Chamberlain (usually open only to permit holders). Leisurely stroll through open fields and forest edges, looking for seasonal butterflies and who knows what else. MEET: Lake Chamberlain recreation area parking lot, just south of intersection of Sperry Rd. and Morris Rd, Woodbridge (off Rt. 69). Sun., Aug. 21: Third Annual West Rock Challenge: Walk/Run fundraiser for Sleeping Giant Build. Information and registration: www.sleepinggiantbuild.org. See Park Update, page 4. Sun., Sept. 11: Rock the Ridge Ride: Bike-race fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. (LiveStrong) See Park Update, page 4. Information and registration: http://fairfieldwestchesterlivestrong.weebly.com/911---rock-the-ridge-mtb-race--ride.html 2 Rock to Rock is a day-long celebration of Earth Day and of New Haven’s rich environmental and cultural resources. Cyclists will travel from West Rock to East Rock, with celebrations on both sides of the city. Along the way eat tasty food, hear great music, take on environmental service projects, explore Edgewood and Beaver Ponds Parks, and ride a portion of the Farmington Canal Trail and official city bike lanes. Hard core riders can take detours to the summits of the two rocks or a longer route that connects West Rock, Sleeping Giant and East Rock. You can ride as an individual or create your own team. You can also help raise funds for one or more of 13 environmental organizations: including Solar Youth, New Haven Land Trust, Urban Resources Initiative, Common Ground High School, New Haven Parks Dept., CT Fund for the Environment and others. To register, go to: www.firstgiving.com/register.php. The route officially begins at Common Ground, 358 Springside Ave., New Haven at the base of West Rock Ridge State Park and finishes at College Woods at East Rock Park. The eight-mile route was plotted with all ages and abilities in mind. It is flat, safe and fun and makes use of many of the city’s best cycling resources. A suggested short route starts at Common Ground and goes only to Edgewood Park or Beaver Pond Park and returns to the starting point. Two years ago there were 250 riders and they raised $10,000. Last year there were 350 riders and $20,000 was raised. This year the hope is that 500 riders will participate and raise $40,000. Advance adult registration is $25, or $30 on the day of the event. Youths 18 and under can register for $15. For info: www.rocktorock.org. 9:00-10:30 - Registration, breakfast, and entertainment at Common Ground High School. 358 Springside Avenue, New Haven. Eat a tasty farm breakfast, hear live music, and pick up your fancy t-shirt before hitting the road. Day-of registration will be available at Common Ground, but advanced registration is highly encouraged (and discounted!). 9:45 - Optional West Rock Summit Ride. Head up the park road to look out over all of New Haven! 10:45 - Official Ride Kick-off: 8 Mile Route. We 10:30 - Official Ride Kick-off: 25 Mile Route. ride at a leisurely pace across the city, kept safe by New Haven Riders set off with ride guides on their way to Sleeping police along the way. Giant, and then on to East Rock. This ride does not have a police escort, but will be supported by ride guides and a 11:15 - Edgewood Park Rest Stop & Activities. support vehicle. Travel through the park to the ranger station, where we'll be greeted with a light snack, plenty of water, and a chance to 12:00 - Sleeping Giant Rest Stop & Activities. decorate your bicycle! Stop by beautiful Sleeping Giant Park, welcomed by the Sleeping Giant Park Association. 12:30 - Beaver Pond Park Rest Stop & Activities. 12:30 - Departing Sleeping Giant for East Check out one of the city's hidden parks while taking a short rest stop. Help us plant some trees and keep this park beautiful! Rock. Travel by city streets to East Rock State Park. 1:30 - Arrival at East Rock Park, CELEBRATION and Lunch. You made it! Check out the Trowbridge Environmental Center, celebrate our top fundraisers and award winners, check out a mini "green expo" of local environmental organizations, and listen to more great music from CT Folk. Lunch will be available for sale from great vendors! 2:00 - Optional East Rock Summit Group Ride.A closed, paved park road to one of the best views in the city! 3:00 - Optional Group Ride back to Westville.