ConnectcutRiver

Forest Park ecological disconnect at Elmwood Ave?

Laurel and Bliss Parks local aquatic and wetland habitat along Pecousic Brook

Cooley Brook

Turner Park local rare species habitat along Longmeadow Brook

Great Blue Heron

regional rare species, critical natural landscape, and core habitat in and adjacent to CT River

This charismatic bird can be seen flying beneath the forested canopy along Cooley Brook or hunting in the shallow, slow waters near the marsh. They have a highly variable diet, eating fish, frogs, salamanders, insects, rodents and birds (Audubon). The wetland and aquatic habitat of the emergent marsh supports a diversity of feeding options for the great blue heron.

Northern Redbellied Dace

This small minnow prefers sluggish waters in cool freshwater streams with ample vegetated cover, and tend to thrive in places with a history of beaver activity. They are found in Laurel Pond and the old reservoir feeding on plant material detritus, algae, and small invertebrates (New Hampshire Fish and Game). They are eaten by herons and predaceous insects. They rarely coexist with larger predaceous fish, implying that larger fish are likely not present in Cooley Brook or Laurel Pond.

Painted Turtle

Resting on downed logs in Laurel Pond and the old reservoir, painted turtles live in wetland areas with an abundance of vegetation and basking areas like slow-moving streams, shallow ponds, and marshes. They nest in sandy areas with open canopy. They are an exciting feature of the ecology along the stream.

Circulation And Access

Steep slopes and dense understory vegetation constrain access to Cooley Brook and limit people’s interaction with the stream; lack of connection with the stream creates a gap in knowledge and understanding of the stream, its health, and what it means to steward the Cooley Brook.

According to a 2023 community survey, 55% of respondents arrive at the parks on foot, 25% by car, and 20% by bike. This speaks to the locality of park users. Those who drive park at one of five parking areas, two in Laurel Park and three in Bliss Park. The primary parking in Laurel Park is located off Laurel Street, hidden from the road. This area is a “free-for-all” lot with no delineated or painted parking spaces and ambiguous boundaries. Rogue parking occurs on the surrounding turf and atop the roots of mature oaks and pines, potentially harming the trees. Respondents feel there is sufficient parking at the parks, though some expressed safety concerns for Laurel Street parking lot; offset from the road, cars frequently idle in the lot at night and residents feel there is a limited ability to monitor what occurs there. A relocated and better defined parking area could decrease the impact on vegetation and increase public safety.

Access to the stream is constrained by steep slopes and dense understory vegetation in both parks. Direct interaction with the stream is limited to the two bridge crossings in Laurel Park, the trails around Laurel Pond, and a desire line through the woods behind the swimming pool in Bliss Park. The lack of safe and accessible circulation near the stream means that some people are hardly aware of its existence. Providing improved access to the stream may increase awareness of the stream, better residents’ understanding of the challenges it faces, and inspire park-goers to advocate for and steward Cooley Brook.

Active Recreation Circulation in Bliss Park

& ACCESS

EXISTING PARK FUNCTIONS & USERS

Bliss and Laurel Parks serve distinct purposes and functions for a range of users. Though not an integral part of everyone’s park experience, Cooley Brook and its active river area affect what activities can occur where.

Laurel Park Bliss Park

Nature Experience

Mountain biking

Wildlife viewing

Interactions with the pond

Exploring nature

Nature solitude