More Than 50 Turn Out In North Branford's North Farms Park For Trails Day

A press release from the North Branford Land Conservation Trust

The 1st of June was a warm sunny Saturday, just the opposite of last year.  Shortly after 9 in the morning people started filling the pavilion for the North Branford Land Conservation Trust’s annual meeting.  The meeting was “short and sweet” as one attendee mentioned.  By 10, people were lining up to walk and christen the new ‘loop trail’, recently created by the land trust.  The trail combines several other trails to create a ‘lollipop’.  It is the only trail in the 77 acre park that is not a dead end.  The loop makes walking the park that much more fun. 

Trail leaders Geoff Smith, Ken Albin and I led two groups across a wonderful foot bridge in the park that crosses the Branford River.  This part of the walk is the stick of the lollipop.  The loop, or the tasty part of the lollipop, is comprised of lengths of the existing yellow and orange trails now connected by the new loop trail.  The new loop trail is marked with an orange dot inside of yellow blaze (This blaze marking signifies a connection between two trails).  Along the 1.2 mile walk, trail leaders spoke of the history of the park, from the days when it was farm land and a ‘ladies only’ fishing section of the river, to the preserved open space it is today.  “The guided hike was very interesting.  I always learn something new” said one walker. 

Following the walk, Dr. Jay Ague (Chair of the Dept. of Geology and Geophysics at Yale), spoke of the history of Connecticut.  Not just the past 200 years, he spoke about its geologic history.  History spanning hundreds of millions of years!  Three separate land masses from as far away as Africa crashing together creating a super continent, then pulling apart.  Volcanoes, plumes of molten rock, cracks in the earth’s crust and glaciers all played roles in creating an ancient Connecticut.  What we see today is a diverse landscape sculpted by millions of years of subsequent erosion. “That geology talk was absolutely fantastic!!  Wasn't he great?!!” exclaimed one of the group.

There was plenty of free food and drink following the talk.  Pizzas, stuffed breads and pastries all donated by local businesses.  But the day didn’t end there.

Letterboxing anyone?  Four new boxes were planted in the park just for the Trails Day event.  Clues were handed out and after filling their bellies, people went back into the woods to try and locate the hidden boxes.  Those new to boxing were offered expert help by seasoned boxers. One couple wrote “We got caught up in the letterboxing and got all four stamps. When we came out off the trails everyone was gone and a new group was there”. 

From toddlers to seniors, the event was a great success.  And with over 260 events on over 575 miles of trails state wide, Connecticut had the honor of being the largest Trails Day celebration in the country!