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.

Great hiking trails. There are around 5 different trails you can hike depending on the time you…read morehave and your hiking fitness. There is also pavilions you can rent for parties, picnic areas you can use for your gatherings, corn hole games, volleyball courts and a ball field. Overall great place for escaping the hum drum of the city. Great for nature walks with the kids where you can visit the vernal pools and if lucky see a hawk or an eagle flying in the area above.

Main gates close at 430pm, but the small upper parking lot is still available…read more Beach is closed due to water conditions. Seems like a pretty nice park. We arrived late afternoon, so didn't get to explore a whole lot, but it seemed that there were some trails to explore. There are paved roads and walkways for biking also. Note, there is no power and no open bathrooms since power has not been restored. Only a few (?2) port a potties are available.

They have a great trail that goes along the water that it pretty flat it just has a lot of roots…read more The Meriden parks department did a goat walk there and I highly recommend following them to know when the next one is !

USE CAUTION! This trail resides along a steep cliff side (not the main trail area) and may not be…read morefor suitable for a beginner hiker. Dogs are welcome on leash. Oaths are uneven with roots poking through. Watch your step One of my favorite local parks where every season is beautiful! Well maintained and marked trails, fishing areas a free little book library and a path to the rock quarry if lucky to find! If you travel to the far end of the reservoir (main entry area next to trail map) you come to a nice opening along the reservoir. Venture a bit further along the pond to the furthest end of the water; Left brings you further into the woods and over the bridge brings you full loop around the reservoir

Crystal-clear water + sunny spring day = perfect hike…read more Spent a beautiful spring sunny day at Wadsworth Falls State Park, and it did not disappoint. I took so many pictures of the clear river. It's seriously that stunning. The swimming water vanished. We hiked the Wadsworth Falls Loop (3.6 miles, easy, great waterfall views) and also checked out part of the Main Trail. Trails were in good shape; just a little mud here and there, but totally manageable. Bonus tips from my visit: · Dogs welcome on leash · Free for CT-registered cars; $10-15 for out-of-state · Restrooms, parking, and picnic tables available · Get there early on a sunny day to beat the crowds If you love clear water, peaceful forest walks, and two distinct waterfalls, don't miss this spot. Already planning to come back with an all-terrain wheelchair for a friend (you can reserve one in advance). Would I go again? 100%.

Gorgeous gorges! Although this park has ample signage against swimming, the Coginchaug River is…read morelovely on the eyes and ears, and being centrally located, Wadsworth Falls is a great local escape. If you have the right footwear in winter, it's a place for a rewarding hike! Boots and grips and the occasional side stepping is good for your winter trip. Mind the tracks, or crews tending the still in-use tracks, then enjoy the lovely views of multiple waterfalls, some frosted over, but water audibly rushing beneath the ice. Starting out, we didn't see the blue trail marked on the yellow and orange junction map, but the trails were well-marked with vertical tree blazes, so if you take the orange, yellow, or blue trails, you should be in good shape. If you don't have the time for a decent hike and just need a restful stop, large falls are just below the parking lot (those no access signs on the trails don't kid!). All year, enjoy! There are zero facilities here, and the only amenities appear to be accessible recreation and a dog waste station beneath the parking lot, but you aren't in the middle of nowhere. Pack in, pack out, and enjoy as much or little woods as you like, and enjoy the peaceful sounds and sights of the many falls.

The Veteran's Memorial Park is a small park, located by Stop & Shop in Berlin. It is an interesting…read morelocation, but nonetheless a beautiful and well maintained park. This park is dedicated to the brave man and women who lost their lives in several wars. There are plaques, indicating a brief history of the wars and the number of lives lost. There is a small pond with a lovely fountain. There are a few tiny fish, no geese or ducks. There was a sign indicating not to feed the geese. I'm not sure what happened to them though. There are benches and a cute gazebo. This is a nice little park, to take your kids for a bike ride or let your dog out! They have dog poopy bags available for your convenience. This is a very nice local park that's very well maintained. Enjoy!

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.

Yesterday my dog and I decided to visit Castle Craig which is perfectly situated for a fantastic…read moreview of the park itself plus much of Meriden. Though this year's peak fall colors were muted and a bit past, it was still enjoyable.

Hubbard Park in Meriden is about 1800 acres of woodlands, streams , a man-made lake for fishing,…read moretennis courts and various picnic areas located throughout the park. You'll find, joggers, runners, walkers, fishermen/women and family's all enjoying the natural beauty and recreational facilities of this scenic park located in the western part of the city.

Not a bad location here. Decent size store with somewhat sparse selection of tackle. Friendly…read moreenough. Standard prices on most things. Wont go back. Very strongly alienate half the population with very strong political views. I don't need politics with my fishing tackle.

Great place, expert staff, very friendly they fixed my rod for a great price!!! Definitely will be…read moreback.