The first Saturday in June is CT Trails Day. This year there was something like 259 events statewide. Locally there were organized hikes at Tarrywille Park and Old Quarry Nature Center, a guided hike and trail maintenance at Tarrywille Park, and a family scavenger hunt type activity at Bear Mountain Reservation.
While I didn’t participate in any official events that weekend, I was still out on the trails doing my thing. In fact, most weekends and whenever else I have the chance I’m out on my mountain bike taking in the nature scene.
One of my favorite spots year round for all kinds of activities is Tarrywille Park. Tarrywille Park is so close to downtown, yet it feels like another world. It’s Connecticut’s largest municipally owned park with 722 acres, 21 miles of hiking trails, 2 ponds and 1 lake.
It’s kind of amazing to think that just around the corner from Main Street is a spot where you could run into all kinds of wildlife from chipmunks and rabbits to pileated woodpeekers, snapping turtles and deer to maybe even a red fox or a pheasant. (And given current events - maybe even a bear!) I prefer to go out on my own with friends for a hike or mountain bike ride, but if that’s not your thing they do offer more organized activities like bird watching, hiking and orienteering.
Whether you get out there on your own or join in an organized event, just get out there. Summer is the perfect time to get active and enjoy a little piece of Mother Nature.Labels: danbury, nature
