Cheshire
Land Trust
Cheshire
Land Trust
Preserving Land as
a Living Resource Since 1969
Hiking Areas
The trust has several properties that offer opportunities for passive recreation in natural settings. The Fresh Meadows Preserve off Cook Hill Road is one of our most accessible properties. Its network of developed trails over 34 acres of meadow and emerging forest adjoins privately owned Elim Park open space.
Edward Tufte's property, while not open to the public, features unique sculptures created by Mr. Tufte that are visible from Fresh Meadows.
Brooke Memorial Preserve: Walking trails were blazed in the summer-fall of 2006 by Boy Scout Troop 92 under the direction of Eagle Scout candidates, Jason Marinaro, Mike Saraceno and Jake Siciliano. The trails are now open. The length of this trail loop around the perimeter of Brooke Memorial is 1.5 miles. It passes thru diverse terrain over brooks, ravines and wetlands and end near the gas line on Sperry Rd. A small parking lot and sign off Sperry Rd. was installed in the summer of 2007.
Trail head at Brooke Preserve
Fresh Meadows Preserve: Wildflowers and animal life are abundant in Fresh Meadows! We continue to mow and maintain walking trails open to the public. Entry is from parking lot on Cook Hill Rd. with room for 5-6 autos. Fresh Meadows continues to offer a diversity of terrain and open meadows. The 1.5 miles of trails offer a pleasurable 1 hour walk. Bluebirds may be sighted along the gas line in houses placed along the trail. Our good neighbor, Ed Tufte has placed several interesting sculptures on his property that are visible from Fresh Meadows. Come and enjoy!
Old Farms Preserve: This 6 acre gateway access to the town owned DeDominicus Preserve is provided with this property. Park safely on Old Farms Rd. and walk in on a trail along the power lines. Descend steep grade to ravine and cross seasonal brook. Follow white/yellow blazes to mainline trail. This town preserve is 180 acres and will provide 1-1.5 hrs of easy walking.
Power line ROW at Old Farms January 2008
The land trust owns other pieces of property in Cheshire but we only offer public access to the above 3 properties with well maintained trails. Town owned Roaring Brook Falls offers more rugged hiking and access to the 22 mile blue blazed Quinnipiac trail that runs the length of Prospect Mountain to Hamden’s Sleeping Giant State Park. Info on these trails may be obtained by calling Bob Davis 272-3334.
The Farmington Canal Linear Park is bordered by several land trust properties that enhance this widely used town park. CLT's Brooksvale Preserve is seen on the left side of the path.
