Middletown Nature Gardens
South end of Randolph Rd
Between Rt. 17 and Long Hill Road
From Phileas’ Journal:
In my wanderings about town, I came upon a hidden gem tucked away off Randolph Rd: the Middletown Nature Gardens. I strolled a well-kept trail, sitting down now and then on one of the benches provided to admire the trees, shrubs, and wildlife. Red cedar, flowering dogwood, highbush blueberries, white pine, and speckled alder surround a majestic 200 year old sugar maple, a species unknown in my home country. It is known as “the bee tree,” for bees fly to and fro from their hive lodged in the branches of the mighty tree, intent on gathering the fruits of the flowers and grasses before winter comes. I surveyed (but did not enter) the marshes in the southeast corner of the park, home to salamanders and frogs. Adjoining the Garden to the west was open pasture land, inhabited by two placid and well-fed cows, and topped by a gray barn of lovely proportions.
Another fine result of the city's open space program. See the Trail Guide showing this property along with 14 other hiking trails, 2 bike trails, the Mattabesset River Canoe/Kayak Trail and 7 other strolls and vistas:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.middletownplanning.com/documents/MdtnTrailGuide.pdf
After reading this article, I went on friday for a stroll.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I ran into two different groups of teens who were there to smoke pot. It was not the nature walk I had envisioned.
Here? In Middletown's rural environs? Teenagers smoke pot?
ReplyDeleteYes how convenient that this park exists, esp for the politician who lives nearby. Wouldn't want his view of nature obscured by the sight of an "ugly" housing development.
ReplyDeleteFolks we have been very poorly represented for too long; time to clean house.