Brookdale Farm (aka Fenn Farm), shown here looking cross the fields behind the buildings, can be seen from the intersection of Artillery Road and Charcoal Avenue. At that intersection, the properties on all four corners are either owned by the MLT or protected by MLT easements. (Curtiss Clark photo)
#MIDDLEBURY
By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY
Previous Spotlight articles highlighted the beauty and active outdoor use of properties conserved by the Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) for those who enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing or who like to enjoy nature while walking their dog. Not everyone is able to get out and do these things, so this month’s Spotlight will focus on enjoying these properties from the comfort of your car.
No matter how you enjoy them, the land conserved by the MLT contributes to your experiences as you live in or drive around Middlebury. Let’s take a look at some of those protected properties with a short car tour through town.
Start by entering Middlebury on Straits Turnpike going south from Watertown. After you pass through a commercial zone with car dealerships, the scene to your right changes abruptly with an area of woods, a pond and wetlands. It will look like that until you get close to Park Road. That property is the Sperry Preserve (aka Juniper Hill).
For the next leg, drive along Breakneck Hill Road going west. That pretty pond you traverse is Abbott’s Pond, and the land to the right is all MLT land – a protected view. Take a left on Artillery Road and the woodland to the left also is MLT property; all four corners at the junction of Artillery Road and Charcoal Avenue are MLT owned or protected by easement. The intersection also provides a view of Brookdale Farm (aka Fenn Farm) and its fields and woods that sweep up the hill.
Next, drive back east along Middlebury Road, and turn right onto Chase Road. Starting just past the parking lot on the greenway, you will be driving along MLT’s Goss Property on the right. It continues as you turn right on Tucker Hill, and extends all the way to the sharp bend in the road.
Continue along that way and turn left as 188 veers off, then go straight, with the pond on your right, onto Wheeler Road. That is Turtle Pond and the Miriam Camp Tract, protected forever.
Where Sandy Hill Road angles to the right, follow it. After you go under I-84 and pass five driveways, the conifer forest of MLT’s Tuttle Tract will be on your right. It ends at South Street.
Make a left there, and as you drive down the long hill you will see Larkin Pond on the right. Go right on Long Meadow Road and you’re making a circuit around two sides of Larkin Pond (aka Fodder’s Folly) MLT property.
Turn around and go back up South Street, past the other side of the Tuttle Tract on your right. Returning to the historic center of town on South Street, turn left at the corner of the green. To your right, bordered by mature trees is MLT’s Bronson Meadow. At the light go left (west) on 64 and stay on that as it turns right to go towards Woodbury. You will go past MLT’s Lake Elise on your left, where we end this tour.
Throughout Connecticut, land trusts play a valuable role in maintaining our rural history. Enjoy your ride!
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