The Pinchot Sycamore Park is located below the Route 185 Bridge and along the Farmington River. The…read morepark is home to the oldest tree of its kind in CT. The park also includes a small launch on the Farmington River for canoes, kayaks, and small boats. This so-called launch is nothing more than a narrow path with large rocks sticking out of the ground, going down a hill to the river that is also very rocky. The tree is definitely worth checking out.

Tree Huggers Unite!…read more The Pinchot Sycamore Tree is located in a small park in Simsbury. The entrance to the park is very steep and in front of the traffic light, right next to the bridge. There's a small dirt parking lot and the Farmington River is adjacent to the park. There is another large tree with big rocks surrounding it. I saw a couple of trails going down to the river; a place to offload kayaks and canoes. The time I went, I saw a group of people standing/swimming in the water. Right next to the bridge, you will see the massive American Sycamore tree; the largest tree in Connecticut. The 200-300 year old tree is very beautiful and majestic. There were two stone markers in front of the tree; the tree was dedicated to conservationist, Gifford Pinchot. The tree is lit up with lights at night. Overall, a lovely place to be and reminisce about what the tree has seen throughout the years.

Great walking trails, that are well maintained and clean. Good locational posts along the way. I…read morelived the meadows and the variety of plants and trees. The wildflowers are beautiful and still in bloom even though autumn is in a couple of weeks.

Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is education based, with scientific backing. With lectures like…read moreforestry 5 years after the tornado... 85 people showed! They host so many great events and even have school trips to learn about nature. With an outstanding staff of naturalists, great museum / facility, and a gorgeous property of trails, Norcross is tops!

Clean,fun park off of I-84 in Tolland Ct. most notably this park contains a trail for ADA,…read moreproximately 6/10 of a mile all paved for those that are unable to ambulate!

Crandall Park has a lot going on for a little park in a small (at least population wise) town…read more Tennis courts, playscapes/swings, baseball fields, soccer fields, volleyball, pavilions, hiking/biking trails, including a fairly short handicap-accessible (and stroller friendly) paved path through the woods, ponds/fishing, rentable rec hall/cabin, a beach with a pond/swimming area and float, restrooms, plenty of paved parking. I wouldn't suggest driving too far to visit, but it's a good place overall for a quick bit of afternoon activity for anyone fairly local. The trails are admittedly confusing at times if you go into the back areas due to too many hikers and clearly mountain bikers creating their own alternate routes, but the park is small enough that you should be fine even if you get lost. Bring some water and a cell phone just in case, and ideally print out or take a picture of the trail map if you start in a location where there's a sign. The trails are also notably non-rewarding other than in terms of getting out in the woods get getting exercise. The park also feels generally safe, and the paths and trails are wide enough (particularly the main ones near all the amenities, that you can easily pass people, walk multiple people side-by-side, etc.

"A walk in the park, there will be no bother" (Cowboy…read moreJunkies) You'll find this little patch of urban green between the Springfield Armory, TAP Sports Bar, the MGM Springfield courtyard, and the back of the Red Rose restaurant. It was renovated with MGM money when they rebuilt a chunk of downtown for their magnificent casino/hotel/shopping/movie theater complex. We visited the park yesterday on the walk back from lunch at the Red Rose. We saw a wrought iron gate that leads to a beautifully manicured spot of lighted walkways, green grass, pretty yellow and purple flowers, and a circular red stone base supporting a large abstract sculpture. The 2022 sculpture is titled "Dream Catcher" and was constructed of a painted oak tree and stainless steel rods and spheres. It's quite striking! The park is a welcome urban oasis and likely a favorite spot to sulk and self reflect after blowing a load of cash at the casino.

One of my very favorite wild life sanctuaries. The Laughing Brook and surrounding 300 acre parcel…read moreof land is beautiful any time of year but the Fall and Winter months hold a special charm not found any other time of year. There are several hiking trails which traverse the sanctuary and you are sure to see many species if birds and wild life.

How did I not discover this great place before?…read more A close by hike that will make you feel transported far away. The trails were fairly easy but I do recommend bringing a walking stick since the leaves make it slippery and there were a lot of stumps to trip over. It took us about 1 hour and 45 to complete the loop at a leisurely pace taking lots of pictures. Plenty of parking and no admission fee.

While driving around in East Granby and seeing the beautiful colors of fall, I ended up at this…read morelittle park, Granbrook Park. This park is perfect if you want to let your dog run, if you want your kids to play, if you want to bring a picnic, or if you just want to be outside. There is a full playground for kids, with the swing and slide, there is also a basketball court. As well as some additional swigs for little kids and big kids. I also took a swing my self, and that is something I haven't done in a long, long time! There is a little pond at Granbrook Park. There's numerous benches and even a grill. There's plenty of exercise one can do here. Unfortunately, this isn't the park for hikes. This is a relaxing, child friendly, beautiful and easy park that's very well maintained.

3.5 stars. I came here for the playground and there were lovely views of the bridge and brook…read more There was plenty of parking and a porta potty onsite too. Amenities include basketball court, baseball field, playground, gazebo with picnic tables, grills, and fishing. There was a person in the middle of the brook fly fishing. The playground was on the smaller side but it had swings and slides; the playscape looked old. The playground was on mulch. My only complaint was that it was very buggy. Overall, a decent little park and my toddler was happy with the playground.

My husband and I recently started kayaking. As beginners, we aren't comfortable yet kayaking in…read morerivers, so we decided to search for a nice lake to begin our kayaking adventures in. A few friends highly recommended Mansfield Hollow Lake (boat launch), so we made the drive to Mansfield. We were not disappointed! The parking area, in front of the lake, is large, and easy to find a space to park, even on summer weekends. It's easy to get in and launch a kayak or paddleboard from the shallow shore area. The lake itself is clean and beautiful! I love the fact that swimming in the lake is not allowed (because this lake supplies drinking water) and that motorboats must maintain a speed of 5 mph or less. We haven't yet kayaked in any other lakes, but I'm sure that Mansfield Hollow Lake (boat launch) will remain a favorite of ours. Such a beautiful place!

Beautiful and scenic, nice and clean tranquil. So many lakes in the area it is well worth the trip.read more

It had been over a decade since I'd visited this laurel sanctuary, and I've kept meaning to get…read moreback. It wasn't til we moved much closer that I finally returned with my husband this weekend (late July 2022), and it's now in our top five local places to walk/relax. The mountain laurel is Connecticut's state flower, and they usually bloom from late spring to early summer, so the blooms were long gone but that was hardly the point. We were here to check out the walking and eat a little packed snack. The turn into the sanctuary going east on route 190 is easy to see (sign faces you at the entrance, pictured below) but comes up fast. The road's name is Snow Hill Rd., but I didn't see any signage at this entrance. We drove down until we passed 4 picnic tables on the left, on grassy areas you could pull a car or two onto. There's a turnaround/possible parking area just after the last table. I'd suggest not going further, as the road turns to a bumpy, hilly, unimproved road that eventually leads to a turn we didn't take (which is where we saw a handmade sign marking "Snow Hill Rd." Back at the turnaround, we returned to the level road and stopped at one of the picnic tables. After a little bug spray, we set off. I'm mobility-challenged, but can walk for short stretches on a level surface with mild increases/decreases. The long, tree-lined gravel road was exactly what I was looking for. From the picnic table to the entrance was just over half a mile. Again, a slight sloping up and down, nothing taxing. I'd think one could use a motorized wheelchair or any wheelchair with good tires. Back at the picnic table, we enjoyed the watermelon we'd packed, basking in the afternoon sun and remarking how peaceful the place was. This was a gorgeous CT summer Saturday and while we were there (2-4pm) we saw a total of four people just walking the road themselves or with their leashed dogs. If you're looking for a little peace & quiet nestled in the woods (along with a lovely walk), this is your place. A true hidden gem of a spot. A few things to note: 1. There are no outhouses/toilets here 2. There's no garbage bins, so carry in/carry out 3. You're sharing a road with others cars and walkers, so keep it slow and safe 4. If you want to see blooming laurels, try late spring and early summer Have a beautiful day!

Beautiful and quaint place to stop for a picnic and nature walks. Come when it's fall and you are…read moresure to get a beautiful view here of the changing leaves.