Saturday & Sunday JUNE 7 & 8 CONNECTICUT Trails 2014 Day WEEKEND 258 Events Statewide www.ctwoodlands.org Variety - The Spice of CT Trails Day When National Trails Day (NTD) first launched in 1993 by the American Hiking Society (AHS), it focused on Hiking events with the goal to familiarize more people with fun and healthful outdoor recreation. Since then, NTD has evolved to be a greater selection of event types. If you look through this booklet, you’ll see an array of activities that we hope will interest most, or Connecticut’s State even all, of you. Hikes are still common, but even there you can find a range of hike lengths and difficulty. Among other types Parks & Forests of events are Paddles, Bike Rides, Equestrian Rides, Geocach- ing, Letterboxing, Runs, are Waiting Trail Maintenance, Rock Climbing, and a great mix for You of Educational & Nature Walks, which focus on everything from History to Wildlife and other fields in With 139 state parks and forests in between! Events are also Connecticut, you are sure to find fun and aimed at a variety of people adventure no matter where you live. Take from young children to advantage of these resources and participate in one expert adults. of the many CT Trails Day Weekend events happening Check the listings for your local town and other at a state park or forest—PARKING FEES WILL BE nearby towns first, to see WAIVED. The success of this celebration would not if there is an event that be possible without support from the Connecticut interests you. If not, look in other parts of the state. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is small enough that no place is terribly far away and it can be and the National Recreational Trails Program. For more enjoyable to broaden your horizons by visiting other parts of information about our state parks and forests, visit the state with unique features. Don’t forget to thank your Event www.ct.gov/deep/stateparks. Leaders. Without them, we wouldn’t have a Trails Day! Connecticut Trails Day Weekend (CTDW) is run by the non- profit Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), and has al- ways been a major part of the AHS-sponsored NTD. Participation by the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Connecticut Department Join the Great Park Pursuit of Energy & Environmental Protection, land trusts, town agencies, This multi-week outdoor family nonprofit groups, outdoors-oriented businesses, volunteers, and many generous sponsors, is key to the success of CTDW. Jen Ben- adventure connects Connecti- ner, CFPA’s Trails Promotion Manager & Engagement Advocate, cut children and their families continues to work tirelessly to coordinate the effort and create/ with the wonders of our state edit this booklet. The rest of the CFPA staff, especially Terri Peters parks and forests. This year the and James Little, along with Trails Day Committee members Hans 7-week contest will have you DePold, Paul Mei, and Dave Boone, have all worked hard to solicit decoding clues and participat- events, drum up support, and help prepare this booklet. Also, ing in fun activities and chal- hundreds of volunteer trail workers put in thousands of hours lenges. Families participating maintaining trails for use during CTDW and throughout the year! in The Great Park Pursuit (GPP) Happy Hiking, 2014 are invited to attend Con- – Chuck Sack, Connecticut Trails Day Committee Chairman necticut Trails Day Weekend events as part of their adven- ture. Choose from a mix of ac- Get Connecticut Trails Day tivities and difficulty levels–just Weekend event updates and look for events with the GPP additional listings by logo. For more details about participating in GPP, visit scanning here or visiting www.nochildleftinside.org. www.ctwoodlands.org. 2 • www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation www.ctwoodlands.org • 3 Explore Connecticut Want to stay informed about other CFPA events? and Our National Trails! Sign up for our e-newsletter at www.ctwoodlands.org or text CFPA to 22828 to join the mailing list. North Canaan Colebrook Hartland Suffield Somers Union Salisbury Stafford Norfolk Enfield Thompson Granby Woodstock Canaan East Granby Barkhamsted Winchester Windsor Locks Ellington Putnam East Windsor Willington Ashford Eastford Tolland Simsbury Windsor Pomfret Sharon Canton Cornwall Goshen New Hartford Bloomfield Torrington South Windsor Vernon Killingly Avon Mansfield Chaplin Brooklyn Coventry Hampton Manchester West Hartford East Hartford Bolton Harwinton Burlington Hartford Warren Litchfield Kent Andover Farmington Windham Sterling Wethersfield Scotland Canterbury Plainfield Morris Glastonbury Columbia Bristol Newington Thomaston PlainvilleNew Britain Plymouth Hebron Washington Rocky Hill Bethlehem Marlborough Lebanon Sprague Watertown Berlin Cromwell Franklin New Milford Southington Wolcott Portland Lisbon Griswold Voluntown East Hampton Colchester Sherman Roxbury Woodbury Waterbury Middletown Bozrah Norwich Meriden Middlebury Preston Bridgewater Middlefield Cheshire Prospect New Fairfield Naugatuck Salem East Haddam Brookfield Southbury North Stonington Durham Haddam Montville Wallingford Beacon Falls Ledyard Oxford Bethany Danbury Newtown Chester Hamden Lyme Bethel Seymour North Haven Killingworth Waterford Stonington North Branford Deep River East Lyme Groton Woodbridge Madison Essex New London Ansonia Monroe Guilford Derby Old Lyme Redding Shelton New Haven Westbrook Ridgefield East Haven Clinton Old Saybrook Branford Orange West Haven Easton Trumbull Weston Milford Wilton Stratford Appalachian Trail (AT) - National Scenic Trail Bridgeport Fairfield This footpath extends approximately 2,181 miles from New Canaan Westport Maine to Georgia. Nearly 52 miles of the trail pass Norwalk through the northwestern corner of Connecticut, Stamford Darien which is maintained by the Connecticut Chapter of Greenwich the Appalachian Mountain Club. To learn more about the AT, visit www.appalachiantrail.org. Connecticut Forest & Park Association has been the state coordinator for the Connecticut Trails Day New England Trail (NET) - National Scenic Trail Weekend, part of the American Hiking Society’s This trail includes the Metacomet, Mattabesett, and National Trails Day, since 1993. This map gives an Menunkatuck Trails in Connecticut and the Metacomet- overview of where the 2014 events are taking place Monadnock Trail in Massachusetts, and winds over (in the towns highlighted in green). Participating in 200 miles of rugged, classic New England landscape. these events is a great way to experience the many The trail is jointly managed by the National Park Service, Connecticut trails around the state, including the three National Forest & Park Association, and Appalachian Mountain Club. To learn Trails highlighted here. more about the NET, visit www.newenglandtrail.org. Connecticut is also fortunate to have four National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Recreation Trails (NRT): Air Line State Park Trail (W3R) - National Historic Trail (South), Quinebaug River Water Trail, Sleeping Giant This route encompasses 600 miles of Revolutionary Trail System, and Willimantic River Water Trail. An War history, winding from Newport, Rhode Island NRT is designated by the U.S. Secretary of Interior or through Connecticut and eight other states to the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize exemplary Yorktown, Virginia. Many organizations, including the National Park trails of local and regional significance as part of Service, and state, town, and historical groups, helped to establish America’s national trail system. To learn more visit, the route and continue to develop its management plan. To learn www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails. more about the W3R, visit www.w3r-us.org. 4 • www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation www.ctwoodlands.org • 5 8 Ways to Prepare for a Fun Trails Day Outing 1. Choose the right event for you. Long-distance hikes are great for those who exercise daily, while short, flat adventures are better for less active individuals and/or small children. 2. Follow the leader. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the event to sign The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail in. Inform the leader if you have any medical conditions (allergies, etc.) that System has been generously might become an issue while out. Always stay with the leader and group. maintained by Connecticut Forest & Park Association volunteers since 3. Wear appropriate gear. Above-ankle boots (or sturdy shoes) and socks it was established in 1929. Notably are recommended for most events. Bike participants must wear an approved the largest trail network in the helmet. Paddle participants must wear an approved personal flotation device. state, totaling over 825 miles, it is 4. Pack some essentials. Bring plenty of water and high-energy snacks often recognized by the blue-oval or lunch. Having sunscreen and an insect repellent of your choice is a good signage and symbol. If you would idea too. Carry a cell phone for emergencies, but leave it in the off mode. like to give back to the trails and become a volunteer, visit www. 5. Use the loo. Depending on the event’s location, bathroom facilities ctwoodlands.org/VolunteerOpps. might not be available. 6. Leave no trace. Pack out what you pack in. Respect private property, stay on the trails, and obey all rules. Be a good steward; do not leave Find Your Next Adventure with rubbish, start fires, or injure vegetation. the New BBHT Online Map 7. Ask questions. If you have any questions prior to the outing, contact the event leader or coordinator at the e-mail address or phone number provided in the event description. 8. Join CFPA. Support and stay informed about CT Trails Day Weekend (CTDW). Connecticut Forest & Park Association members receive a copy of the CTDW booklet directly in their mailbox. To join, visit www.ctwoodlands.org/join-us. Whether you’re a devout hiker of the Blue Trails or a walker looking for a local escape, our new interactive online map will help you plan your outing before your boots hit the ground. Scan here or visit www.ctwoodlands.org/bluetrailsmap to start planning your next adventure today! 6 • www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation www.ctwoodlands.org • 7 1. ANDOVER Educational Walk l 2014 CONNECTICUT Saturday, June 7.