Bull Pond Preserve aka Allen M. Heflin Wildlife Sanctuary, is on about 70 acres, 50 acres of…read moreforest/marshland, and 20 acres of pond. It's part of the Harwinton Land Trust and donated by the Heflin Family in 1988. There is a paved parking lot across from the Harwinton Fairgrounds; it's easy to miss so drive very slowly. It can fit maybe 3-4 vehicles; there's a boat ramp for the fire department to use, so please don't block it. There is parking along Locust Road also. The path leads to an observation deck with a bench and kiosk. The view of the pond was lovely on an autumn day. Beware though, there was a mound of dog poo because some, you know what, didn't pick up after their dog and I stepped on it. There were benches along the way, for me to sit and clean my sneakers (angry face emoji). The path leads to a small boardwalk and multiple trails. We did the short white loop trail and it was peaceful and easy. There are 2 miles total of trails, out and back. The foliage is starting and it was nice to see. We saw geese and turtles basking on a log in the pond. The pond is shallow but fishing and non-motorized boating is allowed. In the winter, there is ice skating allowed on the pond; cross country skiing and snow shoeing is also allowed on trails. All in all, I enjoyed this peaceful walk. There's plenty to look at. There were a few other people on the trail. Aside from the dog poo, the preserve was 5 stars.

Cool area. lots of places to lay low and relax. Biking is not a problem. The water is nice feeling…read moredue to a cold spring as well.

If you need breathtaking views especially this time of the year where the trees change color, this…read moreis the spot for you. There is more than one trail and if you have a map you can decide which trail to follow. If you are interested in just a walk around the lake the red trail would be perfect but if you are more interested in the view of the lake from higher up, then the blue to the orange trail, blue and blue to the red trail will get you there. The entire hike got us was about 3 miles. A simple hike that is good enough for a beginner. It had a steep hill and I was so out of breath going up but when you get to the top at the lookout point it was all worth it. The lake wasn't the cleanest as the water was green but there were still people fishing. A lot of picnic tables to sit, eat or hang out and a big parking lot with adequate space.

Who in their right mind pays a fee to use public land. Parking is one thing, but to seriously…read morecharge people to use a boat launch is beyond disappointing and I will not spend any money to do so. Your swimming/beach area isn't even open (and hasn't been in several years), so what are you doing with this money? You offer absolutely nothing and a boat launch should be free. Honestly pathetic.

This review is for the fishing aspect of Lake McDonough. The water in this lake is extremely clear…read moreand there are steep drop-offs, so naturally, the fishing can be very difficult. Also, the place seems to have a lot of bass in the 1# to 1.5# range. They can be fun to catch, but it would be nice to get some larger ones once in a while. Never caught a trout here, or seen one follow my lure, for that matter. On the positive side, the launch is great, your boat will come off easy. $6 to launch and another $6 to park. Lake is never crowded with boat traffic, no water skiers or jet skiers, which is also good. Very scenic too, just wish the fishing was better, because I only live 4 miles from here. FYI, alcohol is not allowed, they will search your cooler. Gate opens at 8am on weekends, 10am on weekdays (which I find a tad late being a fisherman, but it is what it is).

Great scenery and great trails. Watch where you walk as the terrain can be slippery due to the…read morefallen leaves and rocky paths. The paths are marked with a variety of different colors so be weary as to which paths you are on.

"I'm just a child of nature I don't need much to set me…read morefree" (Lennon/McCartney) The 200-acre Hoppers Birge Pond Nature Preserve, known locally as "the Hoppers" is part of the Bristol Park system. You'll see a big beautiful lake, and most likely a fisherman or two, like we saw today. Besides the lake, their 200 acres has lots of things for a child of nature to enjoy - glacial gashes and depressions in the earth, an old Colonial charcoal pit, and half a dozen walking trails. It was unseasonably cold today, so we didn't do too much exploring besides walking around the lake and its boardwalks. It really looks like a terrific place to visit, but I was kind of disappointed at the number of beer cans, beer bottles, and nip bottles tossed around the walking path by lazy inconsiderate cretins. Maybe a few strategically placed trash cans would have helped.

Burr Pond State Park is a very beautiful and peaceful park. The pond is the showstopper here, hence…read morethe name. Driving up to the park was enjoyable; there's a big hill with a small waterfall you can see from the street. The parking area was a decent size but I can see it being packed in the summer and on weekends. The park is on 438-acres and the man-made pond is 85-acres. Popular recreational activities in this park are hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating. The pond was created in 1851 to help produce power buy building dams. There are two trails within the park; 2.5-mile blue blazed Walcott Trail which goes around the pond and 2-mile John Muir trail which goes through multiple parks. The beach is quaint but does the job on a hot day rather than driving an hour or so to the beach. There were so many picnic tables throughout; definitely a nice area for picnics. There is a seasonal boat rental and concession stand. If you want to go boating, there is a boat launch. We went in the winter for an event, the parking lot was packed so they were offering shuttles. The park was beautiful in the winter with the pond being frozen. There were people ice fishing and playing on the ice. I went recently on a spring weekday, temperature was perfect and the place was quiet. We walked on the trail and it was lovely with the view of the pond. Overall, a great park and will be there as often as we can.

"Don't say a word Don't say anything…read moreDon't say a word I'm not even listening You better watch your step" (Elvis Costello) Trust the Mayor. You'd better watch your step as you're walking the three mile trail that circles Burr Pond, or you'll end up face first on the dirt trail with a broken ankle. The dirt trail sure has its share of dangerous tree roots and rocks, followed by relatively hazard free stretches to walk. You sure get some gorgeous views of the water! We saw people fishing, swimming by the small beach, a big group hanging out by picnic tables playing salsa music, and two dog owners whose well behaved dogs were swimming in the pond. The trail itself is flat with just a handful of inclines, but most of those inclines are tree trunk related. It really is a lovely park.

Harbor Park is located right off the highway in Middletown. This park offers a beautiful view of…read morethe Connecticut River. The grass is nicely manicured, there's people walking, some jogging, dogs walking, most people are fishing. This is a small park, don't expect to make 20,000 steps here. There are some benches where you can have your lunch. Since this is right off the highway, it isn't the most peaceful park, the highway makes it a bit noisy. The parking lot is substantial, but it is shared with the restaurant, Tate's. This restaurant's outdoor seating, overlooking the river is very popular. Harbor Park is a nice park if you're in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to access it.

Harbor Park has a really nice walking path in Middletown, Connecticut that is along the Connecticut…read moreRiver. Along with the path there is greenery for all sorts of activities. Lots of people use it for yoga or having a catch. Others use the shade while they fish in the Connecticut River. Nearby is a dock that can be used to launch boats. Local high schools and Wesleyan use the dock for crew. The walking trail is accessible right off Main Street. There is an underpass that gets you there safely. I wish the trail was a little longer as it only takes about 10 minutes to walk one way. Still has beautiful views. There is a section of Harbor park known as Middletown Lions Park in honor of military veterans. Thank you to Lions International for this great work! Located in Harbor Park is the Canoe Club. It is a restaurant with beautiful views. It just re-opened under new ownership. Altogether, Harbor Park is a really nice spot to go for a walk in Middletown!

Amazing easy/moderate hike in. No idea it existed and not that far away from Troy/Albany…read more Surprisingly big waterfalls and rock formations. Was told cause of all the rain it was not normally as high. Really peaceful. Thankfully no trash or other distractions from people. Will be back many times I'm sure.

I almost don't want to write a review for this conservation area because then it could become…read moreinundated with people. Simply put, you don't have to walk very far for some incredible views. We visited right after a heavy summer rainstorm so the trail right down to the falls was a bit hard to traverse (high water, slippery rocks, etc) but it was worth the treachery. But you don't have to hitch yourself down to get the full magic of these falls, you can also go for a slightly longer walk to see them at eye level. If you're visiting close to the Hudson area, a visit to the High Falls Conservation Area should be on your list! Then grab a drink in town.

The playground fits into the park perfectly...a tree house and more…read more... Provided by Premier Park & Play from Newton, MA

"Sunrise, sunrise I see we made it through another day"…read more(Norah Jones) A definite 5-Star experience. Sunrise Park is beautiful. It has 134-acres of woods and trails circling gorgeous White Pond. Besides the hiking trail around the lake, we saw a playscape, canoeing/kayaking facilities, fishing areas, a beach with a lifeguard chair, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, benches, dozens of grills and picnic tables, a pavilion, a clubhouse, and two swimming areas - one for people and one for dogs. How's that for recreational variety? Our walk around the lake was scenic and tranquil, with one gorgeous view after another. The terrain is mostly flat and clear, with the occasional tree root or rock and a muddy patch here and there. It was a totally enjoyable way to kick off a Friday morning.

I had no idea how big this park was. Disc golf, dog park, mountain biking, hiking/nature trails,…read moreball fields, skate park... I could go on and on. It's an older park but has tons of new attractions and modern park features. It's worth going. This is a real Bristol, CT Gem. Pequabuck river flows through it. Tons of green space. Lots of parking. A really great park to visit.

Located on the West End of Bristol, Rockwell Park has been a staple in my family since the mid…read more40's! (my grandparents home is off the park) The park has a nice shady walking path around its border for hot summer days as well as a splash pad ...and pool for kids. They have SO MANY fun events just look in Bristol Park and Rec webpage... For example, they have music every Tuesday throughout the summer in the outdoor amphitheater. They have Muzzy field adjacent to the parking lot and there are games of all kinds with fireworks afterward. They have seasonal events, including visits from Santa in Mrs. Rockwells pavillion. Also, there is a skateboard cement park that was professionally designed by pro skaters.... A frisbee disc golf course on one end AND a dog park!!! I can't say enough of good things about Rockwell Park...I absolutely Love this local spot.

I'd like to start by noting the Alsop Meadow is a quiet gem, tucked away off Waterville Road and on…read moreNassau Way in Avon. I have known of this Meadow since the 1980's. I actually lived in the original Alsop homestead on Nod Road with 8 other house mates (32.5 rooms, including 5.5 bathrooms) from 1984-86. The Alsop family was & still well known in Avon and its connection to Uncle Teddy, yes, that former President Teddy! The Alsop Meadow is a gifted land trust to the Town of Avon. The land trust features a Farmington River side trail, a peaceful short wooded walk ending at Private Property, which is very clearly marked. An open frisbee golf course starts near the gateway to the Meadow and winds through the trees and the open meadow. A plot of Community gardens are located on the North edge of the Meadow. The gardens also provide a great pollen source for bees and butterflies. A port-a-potty is available and is maintained by the Town of Avon and its lessor. Located near the Canoe launch, placard noting the Alsop's generous gift, and an information board showing the Farmington River trail. If you bring a pup, leashes are required, you're also required to pick-up and carry out their waste. Despite that small sacrifice Alsop Meadow is worth visiting and bring a few frisbees!

Alsop Meadows is a 56.20-acre park located in the Town of Avon. The entrance is behind the Raymour…read more& Flannigan furniture store. The dirt road going into it is very narrow and can only fit one car, certain spots there is a spot to pull off to let other vehicles go. There is a decent sized parking area and a porta potty. A couple of small trails lead to the Farmington River. This is where people take their canoes and kayaks out. I walked on the dirt road through the gates and on the left, there was a community garden. The scent was lovely; ripe vine tomatoes was what I smelled. The rest of the landscape consisted of woods and meadows; there was someone mowing the large, flat, open space when I was there. Around the garden, you won't be able to see the river in the spring and summer, but I'm sure in the late fall and winter, the views and access to the river is great. The park is open from dawn to dusk, daily. The recreational activities include, jogging, walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and camping. For camping, permission is needed from the Town of Avon. I walked to the end of the dirt road and back; it was a short walk but peaceful nonetheless. I do recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat because there is minimal shade; bug spray too because the mosquitoes were rampant. I saw other people walking their dog and others enjoying the river side. A peaceful spot; however, if you want a longer walk/hike, this doesn't have it unless you walk back and forth a few times.