This is a great little park for an afternoon excursion with kids. In addition to the playing…read morefields, there are lighted tennis and basketball courts for evening play. We went with our 2yr old to check out the play area. It is very well done and arranged. It is ADA compatible which in addition to being accepting to everyone makes being a parent easier, ease of access to high areas. My daughter loved the slide that was essentially a string of rolling pins. The only slide of its design I've come across. There are plenty of swings and there is a nice covered area with picnic tables. It is completely enclosed and gated, so it takes a bit for the little ones to get away! Always a plus. In the play area there is a sand box with some shovels, the sand is pretty well used at this point and isn't all that soft but it's useable. There is also a really fun little pipe instrument setup with the gates. If you venture across the street there is some hiking trails in the woods, nothing overly long or daunting but it was nice for a stroll in the woods with the baby and the the dog.

I take my toddler to the playground here fairly often. The whole playground is fenced in. It has 2…read moremain playscapes, one for toddlers and preschoolers and another for older kids. My toddler loves the smaller playscape. There are a few slides and plenty of different ladders and stairs to climb. BEWARE- after a good rain the area around this climber is a giant puddle. There's a slide that goes right into the middle of it. We avoid this park after a rainstorm for this reason. The larger playscape seems pretty fun. My toddler still climbs on it when it's not too crowded. It has a lot of ramps and some fun slides. I climb with him or stay close by because there are some openings to climbing structures he cannot navigate that are pretty high up. There are also swings (including baby swings), covered picnic tables, a sand/ digging area, and some outdoor musical instruments inside the fence.

Great spot to walk. An escape from the noise of Bristol's commotion. Close to home. A nice place…read moreto stretch your legs.

If you need breathtaking views especially this time of the year where the trees change color, this…read moreis the spot for you. There is more than one trail and if you have a map you can decide which trail to follow. If you are interested in just a walk around the lake the red trail would be perfect but if you are more interested in the view of the lake from higher up, then the blue to the orange trail, blue and blue to the red trail will get you there. The entire hike got us was about 3 miles. A simple hike that is good enough for a beginner. It had a steep hill and I was so out of breath going up but when you get to the top at the lookout point it was all worth it. The lake wasn't the cleanest as the water was green but there were still people fishing. A lot of picnic tables to sit, eat or hang out and a big parking lot with adequate space.

Cool area. lots of places to lay low and relax. Biking is not a problem. The water is nice feeling…read moredue to a cold spring as well.

Wadsworth Falls State Park is a pleasant State Park close to the center of Middletown. The hike to…read morethe falls should be manageable for almost anyone. The short walkway down to the falls is steep but there are steps cut into the trail making it relatively smooth. The waterfall is very peaceful and beautiful. Definitely worth multiple visits. There are a few trails, a beach and other park standard features like bbqs and picnic tables.

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%.

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

This is such a staple for long-time residents of Meriden, or folks passing through!…read more Hiking trails, a pond for fishing, a band shell where events take place throughout the year, and tons of open green space-- this is the heart and soul of Meriden!

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.

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.

Hills and rocks…read more Ragged Mountain Memorial Park was opened in 1975 in honor of Maurice Stanley, a hiker and environmentalist who loved and appreciated the wild stuff. The park is almost 600 acres and there are a little over 6 miles of trails, although you can add a few more miles by taking some of the unmarked paths. The hiking varies a lot from very flat and easy to hilly and slippery. As can be expected in New England, there are plenty of rocks, ranging from strategically placed small ones to trip over to huge glacial boulders than were dropped in the area 15,000 years ago. The trails are well marked but it is easy to miss a turn if you're not paying attention. They are some lovely views along the way to the top and the hiking is never dangerous or really that difficult as long as take some care as you move along. Mountain bikes are allowed and so are dogs, as long as there are kept on a lease and like most trails in NE, the best to hike is in the cooler weather when the biting flies and mosquitoes are gone. The trail can also be done in the snow if a bit more care is taken on the hills. A wonderful and interesting place to hike and explore that changes with the seasons.

I really enjoy this hike. This was my first time in this particular section of Ragged Mountain…read more There's definitely a lot of interesting things to see all the old cars and the different path. Definitely enjoyed it. I think we did about 4 miles that day. I plan to go back to hike other paths in this area. I would recommend this area to go out different things to see.

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.

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.