| Brisk
Winter Walks 2009
This is the schedule for the
Great Meadows Conservation Trust winter walks for 2009,
co-sponsored with the Connecticut Audubon Society Center
at Glastonbury and the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center
in Wethersfield.
Sunday, Jan 4, 1:30
pm, Rocky Hill. Meet Larry Lunden
at Ferry Park on route 160. A short hike to our Methodist
Church parcel in the Rocky Hill Meadows.
Saturday, Jan 10, 10
am, Wethersfield. Meet Jim Woodworth
on Middletown Ave south of Maple St. Hike into our Wood
parcel and continue through the farming fields along Beaver
Brook. See photos, map and learn more about the Wood
Parcel.
Saturday, Jan 17, 10
am, Glastonbury. Meet Larry Lunden on Point Rd,
off of Naubuc Ave south of route 3 overpass. A long hike
to our Dickau, Beers and Bidwell parcels in Point Meadows.
Sunday, Jan 18, 1:30
pm, East Hartford. Meet Jim Woodworth at Hockanum
Park on High St. A long hike to our Wilson-Carvalho and
Hockanum Meadows parcels. This is in cooperation with
Goodwin College, who is planning to use the area for student
education.
Sunday, Jan 25, 1:30
pm, Glastonbury. Meet Larry Lunden behind Glastonbury
Town Hall, 2143 Main St. A short hike to our Preissner
parcel.
Saturday, Jan 31, 10
am, Wethersfield. Meet Jim Woodworth on Hartford
Ave. at corner of Jordan La for a short walk to our Wolf
parcel and DeMille easement. See habitat improvements
made with the help of a WHIP grant; and clean up of CL&P
right of way. Stay for a longer walk out along the Hartford
dyke that divides Folly Brook Nature area from South Meadows
Industrial Park.
Saturday, Feb 7, 10
am, Rocky Hill. Meet at end of Goff Brook La
off of Old Main St. Join Larry Lunden on a long hike to
several of our new Hayes parcels in the Rocky Hill Meadows.
Sunday, Feb 15, 1:30
pm, Glastonbury. Meet Larry Lunden at the end
of Hollister Way North, off of Main St north of the end
of the route 17 exit ramp. Park at the end near the barn
or next to the tennis courts. A short hike to our Austin
and Matava parcels in Glastonbury Meadows.
Walks will last 1 to
2 hours. Dress for the Weather and ground conditions.
Many places will be muddy. Weather and water conditions
may revise or cancel. Call the CT Audubon Society for
the latest information, 633-8402. Free. Donations will
be accepted.
CT
Trails Day Hikes in Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, Saturday,
June 7
Wethersfield
1. Historic
Mill and Birding Hike. 8:30 am to noon. A varied 2.5-mile loop hike along stream
and ponds, with stops at sites of four former water-powered
mills where we'll see foundation stones and two millpond
outlets (waterfalls) that were part of an historic industrial
stream system. Hike begins and ends at the town Nature
Center, follows Goff Brook through Mill Woods Park passing
several ponds, and continues along Griswoldville Road
and Highland Street. At each mill site, processes and
products will be discussed, including the hydraulic system
that powered the manufacturing. Historic land-use will
be compared with suburban development, including adaptation
of mill features for flood control, landscaping, and preservation
of wetlands, farmland, and wildlife habitat. Participants
can expect to see great blue heron, hawks, bluebirds,
and other birdlife. Terrain is moderate with gradual ups
and downs over lawns, sidewalk, and fields. Sponsored
by Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Griswoldville Preservation
Association, and Town of Wethersfield Nature Center. Meet
8:30 am at the Nature Center, 156 Prospect Street. No
rain date. Co-Leaders Jim Woodworth, info@gmct.org, 860-808-9968;
and Martha Mayer, m.mayer1@cox.net, 860-257-1705.
2. Walk/Bike. 10 am to noon. Heritage
Way Trail, sponsored by the Wethersfield Conservation
Commission. Walk or bike 3-4 miles on dirt roads through
The Meadows alongside agricultural fields. Great area
for birding and wildlife. Those who wish can continue
to the Rocky Hill Ferry Landing. Meet at rear of Putnam
Plaza Parking lot. From I- 91 southbound take exit 26;
turn left at end of ramp and right at T; Putnam Plaza
will be on left. From 1-91 northbound exit 26; Putnam
Plaza will be on right. Bring water and wear comfortable
shoes. No rain date. For details and information call
James Schumaker, 860-563-4229.
Rocky Hill
CT
Trails Day - Join Ken Etheridge - Saturday, June 7
Nature Walk. 8:00 am to about 11:00 am. Connecticut River
Floodplain, Great Meadows Conservation Area, sponsored by Connecticut
Audubon Center Glastonbury and Great Meadows Conservation Trust.
Easy 3.0-mile walk over flat terrain. Join Ken Etheridge, GMCT
naturalist, for an exploration of the meadow, marsh, and wooded
habitats of the floodplain where as many as 50 bird species
can often be spotted. Meet 8:00 am next to ferry landing at
Ferry Park on Route 160, Rocky Hill. Bring beverage, snack,
and bug spray; dress for the weather and ground conditions (long
sleeves, long pants recommended). Conditions may revise or cancel.
Visit www.gmct.org or call CT Audubon Center, 860-633-8402,
for up-to-date information. Leader Ken Etheridge, kee134@aol.com,
860-635-6751.
See All Hikes - CT
Forest and Parks Association - CT Trails Day Brochure
Great
Meadows Conservation Trust, Inc.
Call to Annual Meeting
Date:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Time: Dinner: 5:30 pm - Meeting: 7:00 pm - Program: 7:30
pm
Place: Connecticut Audubon Center at Glastonbury,
1361 Main St, Glastonbury
Just south of the intersection of Route 17 and Main Street.
************************************************************************
7:30 pm Program: Attorney Russell L. Brenneman:
"Rescuing
Connecticut - Land Saving Action."
Attorney Brenneman
was "present at the creation" of the Trust 40
years ago, and over his distinguished career, has profoundly
influenced environmental law, institutions and policy
in Connecticut and beyond. An "Of Counsel" member
of Murtha Cullina's Environmental Department, he concentrates
his practice on land use, environmental protection, and
natural resource law. He served as special counsel to
Commissioner Dan Lufkin when the Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection was organized. He is Chairman
of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Educational
Fund, and serves as a member of the International Council
of Environmental Law. For a number of years, he taught
environmental law at the University of Connecticut School
of Law, and currently teaches environmental policy at
Trinity College. Mr. Brenneman is nationally recognized
in private and charitable land-saving techniques.
View
2007 Annual Report
************************************************************************
A
Catered Dinner will precede the meeting and program
5:30 pm - Hors
D’Oeuvres featuring a locally made cheeses from Cato Corner
Farms, crackers and wine
6:00 pm - Buffet - Soup - Salad - Chips Sandwich Platter
Dessert with Tea or Coffee"
--------------------------------------------------------
Please reserve
no later than March 24th for the dinner Wednesday, March
26
The cost per person is $25.00
Questions may be directed to Lisa Olsen - 633-8417
Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________
Phone Number________________Address___________________________________________
Number Attending:
________ Total Enclosed: ________
Please enclose
a check payable to - GMCT - and mail to:
GMCT Annual Meeting, E. A. Olsen, 52 Hitching Post Lane,
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Spring 2008
Historic
Mill and Birding Hike. 8:30 am to noon . An varied
2.5-mile loop hike along stream and ponds, with stops
at sites of four former water-powered mills where we’ll see foundation stones and two millpond
outlets (waterfalls) that were part of an historic
industrial stream system. Hike begins and ends
at the town Nature Center, follows Goff Brook through
Mill Woods Park passing several ponds, and continues along
Griswoldville Road and Highland Street . At each mill
site, processes and products will be discussed, including
the hydraulic system that powered the manufacturing. Historic
land-use will be compared with suburban development, including
adaptation of mill features for flood control, landscaping,
and preservation of wetlands, farmland and wildlife habitat.
Participants can expect to see great blue heron, hawks,
bluebirds, and other birdlife. Terrain is moderate with
gradual ups and downs over lawns, sidewalk, and fields.
Sponsored by Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Griswoldville
Preservation Association, and Town of Wethersfield Nature
Center . Meet 8:30 am at the Nature Center , 156 Prospect
Street . No rain date. Co-Leaders Jim Woodworth, info@gmct.org,
860-808-9968; and Martha Mayer, m.mayer1@cox.net, 860-257-1705.
Winter
2008
Join
the Great Meadows Conservation Trust for a series
of winter nature walks for 2008, co-sponsored with
the Eleanor Buck Wolf Naure Center, Wethersifield, and
the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury.
 Special
Walk in Wethersfield and Rocky Hill
- Goff Brook from Mill Woods to the CT River
Saturday, January 5, 10 am, Wethersfield. Meet at the
Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center on Prospect Street in
Wethersfield. Join Nature Center Director Christopher
Shepard and GMCT President Jim Woodworth for a walk (and
van ride) along accessible stretches of Goff Brook as
it flows over dams, through woods, between yards and parking
lots, under streets and highways, eventually meandering
through the meadows to the Connecticut River. We will
fill trash bags, leaving the brook cleaner, as we examine
the role of the stream in carrying pollutants toward the
river...while cleansing the water on the way. See
what you missed!
 Saturday,
January 12, 10 am, Rocky Hill. Meet at
the end of Goff Brook lane. Join Larry Lunden on
a long hike to our new Hayes parcels in the Wethersfield
- Rocky Hill border area. See
the details of Plan B...high water hike!
Sunday,
January 20, 2 pm, Wethersfield. Meet Jim Woodworth
on Hartford Avenue (at the corner of Jordan Lane)
for a short walk to GMCT's Wolf parcel and DeMille
easement. See habitat improvements made with the
help of a WHIP grant, clean up of CL&P right of way.
Stay for a longer walk up Hartford Ave. and out along
the Hartford dyke that divides the Folly Brook Nature
area from the South Meadows Industrial Park. See
the details!
 Saturday,
January 26, 10 am, Wethersfield. More
than 30 walkers met Larry Lunden south of the Putnam
bridge on Great Meadow road next to the highway exit
for a long hike to view our Packtor, Wolcott, Finnegan-Fox,
Hale and Standish parcels. In the photo, Larry talks
about our easement on the Hale parcel, a triangular piece
that runs across Hale Creek in the direction of Crow point.
Evidence of beaver felling and stripping of large trees
on the edge of the excavation ponds marks the former Comstock,
Ferre & Co. seed farm.
 Sunday,
February 3, 2 pm, Wethersfield. Fifteen
walkers met Jim Woodworth on Middletown Ave. south
of Maple St. on a sunny warm day after Ground Hog day
for a hike into our Wood Parcel along newly wood
chipped path, past the new bench, with marsh view
marsh, the streambed improvements and future bridge site.
Then they walked down into the marsh, carrying the hemlock
planks for the temporary bridge over Beaver Brook. Circling
on the path around the knoll, they observed the 18th Century
Robbins House foundation pictured in the photos supplied
by Sarah Wood, before heading out along the corn field
above the marsh. Walkers came prepared for mud...and New
England weather prepared a demonstration of the fertile
clay-rich soil that nurtures the legendary Anderson Farm
sweet corn and spinach.
 Saturday,
February 9, 10 am, Wethersfield. Twelve
walkers met Larry Lunden at the Elm St underpass
under I-91, many with mud stil on their boots from last
week's walk. The hike follwed Elm Street under I
91 out the the river, revealing a view of the south side
of Crow Point. Turning south the road led past the Wolcott
and Crilly parcels now included in the long narrow field
hilled into bean rows. The group moved on down the road
following the river as it meandered east, where we walked
into the Nowak hayfield and to some of the parcels recently
donated to the Trust by the Hayes family. In addition
to red tail hawk sitings, possible peregrine falcon siting,
an immature Eagle was sited winging its way over the meadows.
 One
more winter walk...with Goodwin College
Sunday, February 10, 2 pm., East Hartford. Fifteen
walkers met with Jim Woodworth at Hockanum Park (on High
Street in East Hartford) for a long walk to the GMCT's
properties in the Hockanum Meadows with our host from
Goodwin College, Todd Andrews. The cold north wind and
snow squalls held off, as walked in breezy sunshine. Old
maps helped us visualizing the "hook" in the
Connecticut River that left behind the Wethersfield Cove,
Keeney Cove...and a triangle of Wethersfield "East"
when it straigtened out c. 1700. We stood under the former
Cuban Social Club pavilian and learned about Goodwin College's
plans for a new environmental education program that could
use a renovated pavilian and a portable environmental
lab. We looked upriver to see Goodwin College's new classrom
building rising on the former fuel tank farm north of
Pratt and Whitney's Wilgoose Test lab. As we walked, we
imagined wildlife habitat improvement projects, perhaps
replacing meadows overgrown with multiflora rose with
meadow grasses. Likewise, we imagined a bike trail that
might wind its along old farm roads through the Hockenum
Meadows to the Putnam Bridge, someday connecting with
Glastonbury and Wethersfield over the Putnam Bridge.
GMCT
Programs and Events--Spring 2007
International
Migratory Bird Day - Saturday, May 12
Nature Walk. 8:00 am to about 11:00 am. Connecticut River
Floodplain, Great Meadows Conservation Area, sponsored by Elenor
Buck Wolf Nature Center and Great Meadows Conservation Trust.
Easy 3.0-mile walk over flat terrain. Join Ken Etheridge, GMCT
naturalist, for an exploration of the meadow, marsh, and wooded
habitats of the floodplain where as many as 50 bird species
can often be spotted. We will record our bird observations as
part of the Hartford Audubon Society Spring Bird Count and the
Great Meadows Important Bird Area data gathering project. Meet
8:00 am next to ferry landing at Ferry Park on Route 160, Rocky
Hill. Bring beverage, snack, and bug spray; dress for the weather
and ground conditions (long sleeves, long pants recommended).
Conditions may revise or cancel. Visit www.gmct.org or call
CT Audubon Center, 860-633-8402, for up-to-date information.
Leader Ken Etheridge, kee134@aol.com, 860-635-6751.
CT
Trails Day - Join Ken Etheridge - Saturday, June 2
Nature Walk. 8:00 am to about 11:00 am. Connecticut River
Floodplain, Great Meadows Conservation Area, sponsored by Connecticut
Audubon Center Glastonbury and Great Meadows Conservation Trust.
Easy 3.0-mile walk over flat terrain. Join Ken Etheridge, GMCT
naturalist, for an exploration of the meadow, marsh, and wooded
habitats of the floodplain where as many as 50 bird species
can often be spotted. Meet 8:00 am next to ferry landing at
Ferry Park on Route 160, Rocky Hill. Bring beverage, snack,
and bug spray; dress for the weather and ground conditions (long
sleeves, long pants recommended). Conditions may revise or cancel.
Visit www.gmct.org or call CT Audubon Center, 860-633-8402,
for up-to-date information. Leader Ken Etheridge, kee134@aol.com,
860-635-6751.
See All Hikes - CT
Forest and Parks Association - CT Trails Day Brochure
GMCT
Programs and Events--Winter 2007
Nature Walks in the Connecticut
River Flood Plain
A special series of
five walks are led by Jim Woodworth, president of the Great
Meadows Conservation Trust, and Larry Lunden, GMCT’s Land Management
chair (and a CAS Glastonbury board member). Please dress for
weather and ground conditions, which may revise or cancel the
walk. These Nature Walks are again co-sponsored by
Connecticut Audubon Society Glastonbury
and the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, joined for the first
time by the Wethersfield Nature Center—and all are free.
Check www.gmct.org, or call the CAS Glastonbury Center at 860-633-8402
or the E.B.Wolf Nature Center at 860-529-3075 for the latest
information.
Nature Walk in
the Connecticut River Flood
Plain #1
Sunday, January 7,
2 p.m.
Meet Larry Lunden behind
Glastonbury Town Hall (2155 Main Street) for a short walk to
GMCT’s Preissner property.
Nature Walk
in the Connecticut River Flood Plain
#2
Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m.
Meet Jim Woodworth at the
end of Goff Brook Lane (off Old Main Street in Rocky Hill) for
a long walk to GMCT’s newly acquired Hayes parcels—farm fields
where beans, vegetables and turf are grown. Join us in celebrating
this important gift from the Hayes family in honor of the late
Edward P. Hayes, Sr. and Ann Hayes of Rocky Hill.
Nature Walk
in the Connecticut River Flood Plain
#3
Saturday, January20, 10 a.m.
Meet Jim Woodworth at Hockanum
Park (on High Street in East Hartford) for a long walk to the
GMCT's properties in the Hockanum Meadows with our host from
Goodwin College, Todd Andrews. Learn about the "hook"
in the Connecticut River that left behind the Wethersfield Cove,
Keeney Cove...and a triangle of Wethersfield "East."
Nature Walk
in the Connecticut River Flood Plain
#4
Sunday, January 28, 2 p.m.
Meet Jim Woodworth on Hartford
Avenue (at the corner of Jordan Lane in Wethersfield) for a
short walk to GMCT’s Wolf parcel and DeMille easement. See habitat
improvements made with the help of a WHIP grant. Stay for a
longer walk up Hartford Ave. and out along the Hartford dyke
that divides the Folly Brook Nature area from the South Meadows
Industrial Park.
Nature Walk in
the Connecticut River Flood Plain #5
Saturday, February 3, 10 a.m.
Meet Larry Lunden at the
end of Point Road (off Naubuc Avenue in Glastonbury, south of
Route 3 overpass) for a long walk to GMCT’s Point Meadows properties.
These are farming fields where corn and other crops are grown.
GMCT
Programs and Events – Spring 2006
NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN
Saturday, June 3, 8:00 a.m.-c.
11:00 a.m. Join Ken Etheridge, Great Meadows Conservation Trust
naturalist, for an exploration of the meadow, marsh, and wooded
habitats of the floodplain where as many as 50 bird species
can often be spotted. Meet at Ferry Park next to the ferry landing
on Route 160 in Rocky Hill. Dress for the weather and ground
conditions. Long sleeves, long pants recommended. Bring bug
spray, water, snack. Est. distance: 3 miles. Conditions may
revise or cancel. Visit www.gmct.org or call CT Audubon Society
Center at Glastonbury for up-to-date information at 633-8402.
Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/C and GMCT. Free.
Tuesday
Evenings in May on the River with the GMCT
Led by Jim Woodworth
For further details call Jim Woodworth (529-0997)
Meet at 6:00 pm. Bring your own canoe or kayak,
paddles, PDF. Plans are subject to change or
cancellation due to weather or river conditions.
1. Tuesday, May 16 Keeney Cove.
 Meet
at the
Point Road
causeway (off
Naubuc Avenue, just south of Glastonbury Avenue) at
6:00pm. Alternate A (less strenuous): Launch north
of the
Point Road
causeway, paddle under Route 3 to explore the
abandoned river bed, observe great blue heron and
spawning alewives. Alternate B: Launch on the south
side of the Point Road causeway, paddle out by the
beaver lodge to the CT River, south to Crow Point
Cove inlet, explore Crow Point
Cove, and return. (sunset 7:50pm)
2. Tuesday, May 23 meet at the Wethersfield Cove at
6:00pm. We’ll paddle across the cove to explore
Folly Brook, view the Eleanor Buck Wolf parcel from
the water. From there we’ll skirt the North side of
the cove, and then paddle out to the river.
Wethersfield "East," the triangle of Wethersfield
lies directly east of the Cove entrance, marooned by
the meandering course of the river, south of East
Hartford, North of Glastonbury. Continuing upstream,
we’ll pass United Aircraft Wilgoos Test Facility,
where jet engines were tested. Just north of Wilgoos
is the site of a former tank farm, that will soon
become the
Goodwin
College
campus. Depending on our stamina and time, we’ll
continue upstream to the Trinity College Boat House
on the east bank and the trash to energy plant on
the west before floating back downstream. (sunset
8:06pm)
3. Tuesday, May 30 meet at Rocky Hill Ferry Landing
at
6:00pm. Rendezvous at the Ferry Landing Boat Launch
at
6:00pm. Paddle upstream, passing the old coal dock
protected by the Walker Parcel easement (G-3),
passing the fishermen at the mouth of Roaring Brook,
passing the mouth of Meadow Drain, with the ultimate
goal of marker #122, opposite the Wethersfield/Rocky
Hill border. Drift downstream, exploring the Meadow
Drain and Roaring Brook "estuaries," returning to
Ferry Landing as the last rays of the sun disappear
behind the "rocky hill." (sunset
8:18pm)
Join the GMCT and the CT Audubon Society at
Glastonbury for
Winter
Nature Walks
in the Great Meadows of the Connecticut River
This
year GMCT is joining with
CT Audubon Society
Center at
Glastonbury.
Follow this link to
download the
Center at Glastonbury's Seasonal Program Guide
NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #1
Rescheduled for Saturday, Feb
25, at 10 am!!!
Glastonbury Parcels
Sat., Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-noon Join Larry Lunden, Land
Management Chair of the Great Meadows Conservation
Trust, to inspect the Glastonbury Meadows parcels.
Carpool from the CAS Center at Glastonbury. Dress
for the weather and ground conditions. Conditions
may revise or cancel. Call CAS Center at Glastonbury
for up-to-date information at 633-8402. Walk is
co-sponsored by CAS/G and GMCT. Free.
.........Strolly
along Folly Brook in the Wolf Parcel
NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #2
E. B. Wolf Parcel--Wethersfield
Sun., Jan. 22, 2-3 p.m.
The weather looks great for Sunday- sunny and 44°F!
Note: Due to high water - we'll look out on the
Wolf parcel - kayaking anyone? - and talk about our
habitat restoration project. Then we'll lead the
longer walkers up Hartford Avenue, past the monument
to "Pennywise," under Route 15, over the Folly Brook
culvert, and scamble up on the Hartford dyke. From
that vantage point, we can view the inundated Folly
Brook Preserve on one side, and the MDC plant and
airport on the other - where nature meets
civilization! During the high water will be a good
time to ponder the wisdom of the planned renovation
of the dyke after 10 years of neglect and the MDC
plan to end CSO forever - coming to a referendum
near you in November!
For information and a map of
the Eleanor Buck Wolf Parcel
Sun., Jan. 22, 2-3 p.m. Join Jim Woodworth,
President of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust,
as we inspect the Eleanor B. Wolf parcel in
Wethersfield. Meet on Hartford Avenue opposite
Jordon Lane. Dress for the weather and ground
conditions. Conditions may revise or cancel. Call
CAS Center at Glastonbury for up-to-date information
at 633-8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/G and GMCT.
Free.
NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #3
Hockanum Meadows--East Hartford
Sat., Jan. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Jim Woodworth,
President of Great Meadows Conservation Trust, as we
inspect the Hockanum Meadows parcels in East
Hartford. Meet at Hockanum Park on High Street.
Dress for the weather and ground conditions.
Conditions may revise or cancel. Call CAS Center at
Glastonbury for up to date information at 633-8402.
Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/C and GMCT. Free.
............Otters
at play along the brook
NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #4
Methodist Church Parcel–Rocky Hill
Rescheduled for Sunday, March 5, at
2pm!!!
Sun., Feb. 5, 2-3 p.m. Join Larry Lunden, Land
Management Chair of the Great Meadows Conservation
Trust, as we inspect the Methodist Church parcel in
Rocky Hill. Meet at Ferry Park next to the ferry
landing on Route 160. Dress for the weather and
ground conditions. Conditions may revise or cancel.
Call CAS Center at Glastonbury for up-to-date
information at 633-8402. Walk is co-sponsored by CAS/C
and GMCT. Free.
NATURE WALK IN THE CT RIVER FLOOD PLAIN #5
Wood Parcel--Wethersfield
Sat., Feb. 11, 10-11 a.m. Join Jim Woodworth,
President of the Great Meadows Conservation Trust,
at the Wood Parcel in Wethersfield. Meet on
Middletown Ave. south of Maple St. Dress for the
weather and ground conditions. Conditions may revise
or cancel. Call CAS Center at Glastonbury for up-to-
date information at 633- 8402. Walk is co-sponsored
by CAS/C and GMCT. Free.
Great Meadows Bike Ride to Ferry 350th Celebration
Saturday, June 11, 8:30 am (9am-10am)
Join the Great Meadows Conservation Trust on a
guided bike ride from the Keeney Center at 200 Main
Street in Old Wethersfield through the Great Meadows
to the Ferry Landing in Rocky Hill where bicyclists
can join the Ferry 350th Celebration and ride the
Ferry across the River to Glastonbury. Riders should
plan to meet at the Keeney Center Parking lot at
8:30 am, where maps will be handed out. The group
will depart at 9 am for a leisurely ride along town
dirt roads through the meadows to arrive at 10:00 am
for the start of festivities at the Ferry Landing.
The ride will link the historic homes in
Wethersfield’s Historic District (the state’s
largest historic district) with the Glastonbury –
Rocky Hill Ferry Historic District…with a morning
ride through the ancient fields, marshes, and
forests of the Great Meadows of Wethersfield and
Rocky Hill.
Map and Directions
(Click Map to see Large Map)
Bike Route from Keeney Center through Great
Meadows
to Rocky Hill Ferry Landing
1. Depart Keeney Center take left on Main
Street to Garden Street .1 mile
2. Turn left on Garden Street .2 mile
3. Turn left on Broad Street .3 mile
View Broad Street Green … Great Elm
Pass Anderson Farms on left…Corn and vegetables
grown in Meadows
4. Turn right on Marsh Street .6 mile
5. Follow Marsh Street around corner…Turn
right on Great Meadow Road .9 mile
6. Pass under I 91 … watch for cars! Turn
right at T
…continue on Great Meadow Road 1.0 mile
7. Follow Great Meadow Road past Putnam Park,
under Putnam Bridge
Note: former site of Wethersfield Town Dump
former site of Comstock, Ferre, & Co. tomato seed
washing facility
Bear right toward gate, turn left through gate into
Great Meadows 1.4 miles
8. Follow Great Meadow Road…bear left at
corner…note gate at “First Lane”
Note: forested excavation site on right, lower field
on left,
followed by bean field on right, turf on left.
9. Turn right on “Second Lane” at end of bean
field 1.8 miles
Great Meadow Road continues straight toward
“Wright’s Island”…now known
as Crow Point., still owned by White Oaks Const. …
excavated fill for bridge
approach and I 91. 60 acre Comstock, Ferre farm on
left…now Beaver Pond….
Anderson Farms corn on right; Hale’s Creek on left….
2.0 miles
Farm road on right meets end of “First Lane” …
wooded lot is Trust parcel,
with the Wolcott #1 parcel in “upper Swamp” 2.2
miles
10. Agricultural Drainage Ditch; junction
with Elm Street on right
Meadow Road becomes Elm Street Extension 2.6 miles
Note views of Glastonbury, south side of Crow Point
(the “island”)
from Old Wethersfield sewer overflow outfall….
11. Note beginning of turf field on right 2.8
miles
Jersey barrier…indicates cutting edge of river on
Wolcott parcel #3 (“The Nook”) and #2 in the “Lower
Swamp” 3.1 miles
Wooded area Crilly parcel; note kestrel box and wood
duck box
End of turf field…Jersey barriers 3.3 miles
“C Lane” Trust’s United Aircraft “Pole Lot” 3.4
miles
12. Turn right at gate to turf field (don’t
go through gate) 3.8 miles
Elm Street Extension becomes Great Meadow Road,
Rocky Hill
Note: Indian burial sites, living areas found on
left.
13. Continue straight at junction with
“Meadow Road” from
Golf Brook Lane joining right 4.0 miles
Note CT River Motocross Park up road on right….
14. Farm Road enters from left, bean fields;
wooded area on right 4.2 miles
15. Turn right at gate (straight ahead goes
to “sands” RH Game Club area) 4.6 miles
Turn left…follow “jog” to left (“C” Lane joins from
right) 4.9 miles
Bear left… (“B” Lane joins from right) 5.2 miles
Cross Goff Brook bridge 5.4 miles
16. Exit Great Meadows through gate to Ferry
Park 5.6 miles
17. Board Ferry for Glastonbury! 5.8 miles
Tuesday
Evenings on the River with the GMCT
Led by Jim Woodworth
For further details call
Jim Woodworth (529-0997) Meet at 6:00
pm. Bring your own canoe or kayak, paddles, PDF. Plans are
subject to change or cancellation due to weather or river
conditions.
1. Tuesday, May 3 Keeney Cove. Meet at the Point Road causeway
(off Naubuc Avenue, just south of Glastonbury Avenue) at 6:00pm.
Alternate A (less strenuous): Launch north of the Point Road
causeway, paddle under Route 3 to
 explore
the abandoned river bed, observe observe great blue heron and
spawning alewives, check out the Dickau parcel (G-13) south of
Route 3 and the Dickau (G-10) and Bidwel (G-4) parcels on the
west bank of Keeney Cove north of Route 3. Alternate B: Launch
on the south side of the Point Road causeway, paddle out by the
beaver lodge to the CT River, south to Crow Point Cove inlet,
explore Crow Point Cove, and return. The Preissner Parcel (G-6)
is slightly downstream of the Crow Point Inlet. (sunset 7:50pm)
2. Tuesday, May
17 meet at the Wethersfield Cove at 6:00pm. We’ll paddle across
the cove to explore Folly Brook, view the Eleanor Buck Wolf
parcel (W-9) from the water. From there we’ll skirt the North
side of the cove, and then paddle out to the river. Wethersfield
"East," the triangle of Wethersfield lies directly east of the
Cove entrance, marooned by the meandering course of the river,
south of East Hartford, North of Glastonbury. We will pass Trust
parcels Wilson-Carvalho (W-5) and Lot 14 Hockanum Meadow (W-14),
both narrow lots that stretch inland from the river. Continuing
upstream, we’ll pass United Aircraft Wilgoos Test Facility,
where jet engines were tested. Just north of Wilgoos is the
former tank farm, that will soon become the Goodwin College
campus. Depending on our stamina and time, we’ll continue
upstream past the Trinity College Boat House on the east bank
and the trash to energy plant on the west before floating back
downstream. (sunset 8:06pm)
3. Tuesday, May 31 meet at Rocky Hill Ferry Landing at 6:00pm.
Rendezvous at the Ferry Landing Boat Launch at 6:00pm. Paddle
upstream, passing the old coal dock protected by the Walker
Parcel easement (G-3), passing the fishermen at the mouth of
Roaring Brook, passing the mouth of Meadow Drain, marker #120,
the Austin Parcel (G-2), with the ultimate goal of marker #122,
located on the Matava parcel (G-14), opposite the
Wethersfield/Rocky Hill border. Drift downstream, exploring the
Roaring Brook "estuary," returning to Ferry Landing as the last
rays of the sun disappear behind the "rocky hill." (sunset
8:18pm)
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