This a beautiful, scenic park on a mountainous top outside of downtown New Haven and it offers…read moreopportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, leisurely strolls, etc. It's a big area and on the day of my visit, the paved road going inside the park was closed, so we had to walk a decent amount to get to spots like Soldiers and Sailors Monument and scenic overlook vista points. The hike to the monument and scenic vista point on the paved road trail (one-way) can take up to 30 minutes if not longer. There is a (sort of short-cut) trail that goes through the woods that has rocky steps and is a rigorous hiking route. It was a nice weather day and a perfect way to work-off the delicious New Haven pizzas we ate beforehand. We enjoyed our visit here while checking out the beautiful scenic views and the monument. I am not giving it full five stars because the park lacked proper direction signage for the trail(s) and as far as I could tell, I did not find any bathrooms or port-o-potty services.

I'm from out of state and I personally didn't like my experience here very much. The views of New…read moreHaven from the top were amazing, but I cut my visit short, because there were a few people at the top who looked scary to me and who were doing wheelies on motorcycles and some kind of motorized carts. Not to mention the mufflers were very loud. As a person who gets overwhelmed easily and gets sensory overload and walks alone a lot, it's scary for me and anything could have happened to me if I were the only one there. So after I took a few quick pictures, I walked quickly to keep up with the only small group of people who looked safe to me. I personally think there should be a little police booth at the top and more security in general. I think everyone deserves to be able to feel safe!

There's a few different sections of the Naugatuck State Forest. We went to the Quillinan Reservoir…read moreBlock, which is in Ansonia. There are a few ways to access this park, we decided to go from the Ansonia Nature Center. The transition over to State Forest is pretty subtle, mainly with some markings on the trees. This park is also adjacent to some watershed land, that is also marked really well. This park has some nice hiking trails, with a lot of different loop options. We ended up doing a 10k (6 miles) hike, on the white and purple loop trails. The trails are nicely blazed, and there's a really good variety of trees. We went through some hardwoods and some pine forest, and there were lots of plants and some water views of the reservoir at various points along the hike. It's not too strenuous elevation wise, which was nice for a moderate hike. Mountain biking is allowed in the park, and we saw several people out for a ride, so it seems a pretty popular location for biking, and the trails seem not overly eroded. My only complaint is this park is adjacent to a gun club, so for a good chunk of the hike (mostly the white trail) was done to the sound of near constant gunfire. It's not the most tranquil thing, especially if you're sensitive to that sound.

This is a beautiful walk around the reservoir. The day was overcast with a threat of rain, but the…read moretemperature today made up for the darkened skies. Colorful leaves are starting to pop out everywhere, and I suppose this place will be in it's prime in a week or so. If you're in the neighborhood, you have to stop by and enjoy the scenery.

My Uncle John and my Aunt Doris were avid birdwatchers. They are also members of the National…read moreAudubon Society. I was a member for many years and loved to volunteer for local community service projects. I also love to visit sanctuary and park locations to spend time out in nature. This is an absolutely beautiful park in my former home state of Connecticut. It is memorable to visit with family and friends. This time of year the fall colors are beautiful to photograph. If you are in the area make this a stop to escape from the world!

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Great birding, hiking, beauty and topography are really something to be…read moreexperienced. Fair warning, beware bears. Just be prepared and bring your bear defense accoutrements. No one has ever been attacked or even charged but just being fair to the Audubon and you the hiker/birder. Note: no dogs allowed.

We needed a break on our drive from MA to NJ and this was just about the mid-point for us and just…read moreoff the highway. It is a pretty state park for a short visit if you're in the area. Lots of college students throughout the park from nearby Quinnipiac University. There are plenty of open space, picnic tables and trails for everyone to enjoy. Lots of different trail options but the tower trail is the most popular. Not much shade on the tower trail and a fairly decent elevation change in a short distance. Make sure to check the weather and bring water. Beautiful views from the highest point in the park and you can go inside the tower.

This was such a nice and beautiful hike! We went here end of October when foliage season was coming…read moreto an end quickly. We got to see amazing views and lots of foliage. The hike was not bad and it was super busy. Huge parking lot and lots of people that day. The views at the tower were awesome and it's definitely a nice spot for pictures. A local gem.

This is a peaceful place to go to enjoy the beach and take in the magic of Housatonic River meets…read moreLong Island Sound. This is a place for those who want to respect nature,learn about native species but keep your distance from the wildlife that needs space to survive.

The Connecticut Audubon Society was a surprise, hidden gem on my latest trip. We got there right as…read moreit was opening, and avid bird watchers were already there. It's quite serene to be able to look out at the marshes on one side and the beach on the other. The paths are well groomed. Be sure to go inside if you can. There are some other animals to see in tanks as well as a library of kids books. There's also a great view of the marsh with a few telescopes, as well. There was someone working here at the time we visited, and she also brought out some coloring pages. Definitely worth checking out if you're near by and want a change of pace.

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.

I absolutely love this trail! I just bought a new bike and I look forward to riding it most days…read morenow that the weather has been nicer. It's a paved trail that is nicely maintained, and most areas are secluded away from traffic so I can just enjoy my ride. I live in Hamden and I think the trail is safer and prettier going north towards Cheshire vs going towards New Haven which goes behind graffitied warehouses (and the vibe doesn't feel as safe). There are also free parking lots along certain parts of the trail (such as at the entrance by Quinnipiac). I definitely recommend coming here for a walk, run, or bike ride!!

As far as recreation paths go, this one is pretty nice for a short bike ride. It's paved, so…read morepersonally, I think it's not great for jogging, but it isn't incredibly long either, as yet, so it makes for sort of a short ride. Maybe 12 mi at most, back and forth, out of Hamden, past Sleeping Giant and on north. It crosses a few quiet roads and even though there are stop signs for the trail-users, traffic invariably stops for you. It's definitely a place to zone out, enjoy the green and the fresh air. UPDATE: A note from the locals suggests that path-users should be aware of surroundings, as there are incidents of crime on the path. So don't zone out too much. The trail has more dips and swells than a rails-to-trails trail, but it doesn't have any real changes in elevation. The "canal" element means that it's a bit buggy . . . and there is a well-placed water fountain! I can't figure out how the distances are marked (it looks like they have multiple systems going) but maybe someday it will all make sense to me . . . There's a great route - pretty, low-traffic, with good shoulders - from town to the southern tip of the trail, at bikely.com. The trail is pretty heavily used, though, especially in the after-work hours (less so on a summer weekend!) so you have to watch out for walkers, joggers and in-line skaters. UPDATE: And people who park their ass in the middle of the path to chit chat. And kids who stop and don't know any better. As always, it helps if bicyclists pass on the left and hail when passing! The address here for the Association is not where you'd start the trail, I don't think. But there are a few places throughout Hamden where you can pick it up. There are lots of signs around and there's a map at the website.

A beautiful area close to downtown danbury connecticut. Great hiking,or just walking..bring…read moresunscreen and bug repellent.your own drinks and snacks.

How beautiful this place is. First let me begin by stating how beautiful the location is. I…read morepersonally found the upkeep to appear well in tact and I even saw gardeners attending to the lawns so clearly they keep eyes on upkeep which is particularly important when you have a special event planned. I had the pleasure of attending a wedding as a bridesmaid. The space was beautiful and spacious. The china on the lower level in casing was beautiful and the colors chosen have a very old home comfort feel. Takes you back a bit to another time. Lighting for images is great here and there is a handicap parking close to the ramps which make entry and exits very easy. They offer recycling and trash in their kitchen. The staff on site was very informative and kind. Overall, a very pleasant experience. The videos and photos we took look beautiful!!! I'd like to personally thank Tarrywile for everything!!