Today Magazine • May 2021 by Bruce Deckert

TODAY Covering the Heart of the Farmington Valley

TAKE A HIKE Hiking Trails Connect Valley’s Vast Open Space

MAY 2021

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Brief History of Farmington River Trail Historic trail traces origins to iconic 19th-century canal

HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

By Ethan Guo Special to Today Magazine

WHEN THE PANDEMIC began last year, thousands of people in the Farmington Valley community were collectively confined to their homes. With nowhere to go and nothing to do, flocks of people took on walking and jogging to pass time and local trails observed an increase in traffic. Trails and town parks have always played a role in the Valley, which boasts a plethora of locations for the casual walker, routine runner, pastime biker and amateur birder. A few iconic sites, such as Talcott Mountain and the Farmington River Trail, have served innumerable folks and become an integral part of the Valley’s identity and history. The Farmington River Trail carries its history all the way back to the early 19th century with the formation of the Farmington Canal Company, which built a canal from New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA. It took 10 years marked by meager funding, accidents and complaints, but the canal was finally finished in 1835. Naturally, the Farmington River is the commondenominator feature of the Farmington River Trail

Alas, this canal would be cast into the shadows as the up-andcoming locomotive took America by storm. The New Haven and Northampton Railroad corporation ran a line along the same canal river route and dominated transportation until the mid20th century, when automobiles eventually wrestled the pedestal away. In time, the railroads fell into a state of despair, causing the Connecticut legislature to initiate the rails-to-trails movement, creating the Farmington Valley Trails Council. The council is still in operation today and has overseen the construction of over 80 miles of recreational trails in Connecticut.

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Today’s charming trails, which lie on the skeletons of the railroad, next to the faded canal, all started two centuries ago. It is often easy, living in the rural suburbs, to take green spaces for granted. However, just as New York City reigns over thousands of fallen trees, there is a feasible future where these recreational reserves are bought by the highest bidder and turned into neighborhoods or store complexes. What a great shame it would be, to the thousands of daily trail-goers, for such a future to befall the sites that are laced with such history, abundant with scenery and wildlife, and carry such a weight of importance in the Farmington Valley community. + An Avon resident, Ethan Guo is a sophomore at Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor

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LEADING OFF

CONTENTS

Hike Happy

COVER STORY

4 — Valley Strikes It Hike-Rich Let’s celebrate the plentiful scenic hiking trails and lavish open spaces across the Farmington Valley — by taking a hike, of course HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

2 — Tracing Roots Of Iconic Trail The Farmington River Trail finds its genesis in the historic New Haven-to-Northampton canal VALLEY INTEL

8-12 — Images Of Grandeur Hiking trails in the five core Farmington Valley towns reveal amazing beauty and stunning vistas HONORING FIRST RESPONDERS

13 — Dad-Daughter Firefighting Team Gerry and Anna Holland are preparing for volunteer service in Canton — in a first for the department QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“There are numerous studies that tie mental and emotional health to spending time outdoors ... I highly recommend it!” —Canton’s Jay Kaplan BY THE NUMBERS

LETTERS

Preserved acres in Valley — 6670+

WHAT DO YOU appreciate most about living in Connecticut? For me, this is on the short list — you can be in downtown Hartford, yet in just 15-20 minutes you can enjoy a hike in the woods. The state’s abundant open space has been renowned for years, and here in the Farmington Valley we have our fair share, to be sure. Where I grew up in New Jersey, in the NYC metropolitan area, we had to drive about an hour to my grandparents’ home in western Jersey to find comparable open space — a part of the Garden State, with its gently rolling farmland, that blends and melds with eastern Pennsylvania. In this May edition of Today Magazine, we celebrate the Valley’s countless hiking trails that provide ready access to the splendor of creation that can ease our minds and soothe our souls — BWD + Today Magazine • Covering the Heart of the Farmington Valley Bruce William Deckert — Publisher + Editor-in-Chief 860-988-1910 • Bruce.Deckert@TodayPublishing.net www.TodayPublishing.net > Digital Editions • Award-Winning Today Magazine Online — www.TodayPublishing.net/blog Follow Today Magazine CT on social media: Advertising — Contact the Publisher Editorial Associate — Kayla Tyson Contributing Photographer — Wendy Rosenberg Five Towns, One Aim — Exceptional Community Journalism Farmington • Avon • Canton • Simsbury • Granby – CT, USA • Two other Valley magazines: print circulation — less than 19,000 • Today Magazine: print circulation — 42,000+ • Ad Rates — about the same

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COVER STORY KUDOS • Today Magazine’s April cover story featured longtime Simsbury resident William “Bill” Moore, a World War II hero who was part of the Greatest Generation THANK YOU FOR THE ARTICLE about my Dad. It came out very well, and I will share it with our family and extended family. They will be thrilled to see it. There are so many interesting articles in the magazine and we look forward to reading future editions. • Pamela Verney – Bill’s daughter • West Simsbury THANKS AGAIN for the March cover story package on Simply Lincoln. I keep hearing positive comments about the articles, so thank you for crafting such excellent pieces. • Howard Wright • Canton • www.SimplyLincoln.com

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POLLEN COMPLIMENTS YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB presenting our multilayered Collinsville Pollen Trail project (April edition • pages 11-16-17). The April digital magazine link will be sent to all of our partners, supporters and project leaders in other communities. My scientist son was amused by the sentence “Berger’s research…” — so thanks for that new family joke. I was also pleased to see your write-up of Canton resident Colin Johnson’s cottage bakery (April edition • page 2). Everyone deserves his delicious homemade bread. • Karen Berger • Canton Volunteer Manager • Collinsville Pollen Trail www.CollinsvillePollenTrail.org THE APRIL EDITION of Today Magazine is awesome as always — you are amazing in what you do each month. I am so proud to be a small part of it. Using the pollinator photos with the Collinsville Pollen Trail story was a fantastic idea (April edition • pages 11-1617). I got quite a bit of great feedback. • Wendy Rosenberg • Canton Wendy has been a contributing photographer with Today Magazine since January 2019 — five of her photos graced the pages of our April edition’s multistory coverage of the Pollen Trail TODAY MAGAZINE – www.TodayPublishing.net – MAY 2021

COVER STORY

View looking north from summit of Saddle Ridge • Simsbury Land Trust trail

TAKE A HIKE

Photo by Wendy Rosenberg

Benefits of Hiking Evident on Valley’s Extensive Trails By Bruce Deckert Today Magazine Editor-in-Chief

TAKE A HIKE! Do you associate the “take a hike” phrase with a positive or negative connotation? The dictionary defines the popular expression both ways, actually — “take a hike” can mean to simply and literally go on a hike ... or to go away, to leave, to get lost. In this edition of Today Magazine, we’re contemplating the first definition — and we’re celebrating the amazing and abundant and multifaceted hiking trails that crisscross and connect the Farmington Valley’s forests and parks and open spaces. Perhaps, though, we can see these two definitions as complementary rather than competing, and combine them — so “take a hike” becomes a call to

— David Leff

both “go on a hike” and “get lost” in nature. Each of the five core Valley towns — Avon, Canton, Farmington, Granby and Simsbury — has a nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving the area’s remarkable pastoral beauty and natural resources. And this stunning display of nature’s bounty in the Valley is accessible via countless hiking trails. The benefits of hiking are numerous. During the past year, as the COVID pandemic resulted in stay-athome counsel and reduced access to society, hiking has become a favored way to exercise and safely spend time in the great outdoors. Today Magazine has spoken with a number of Valley residents and officials about their hiking experiences. We hope you appreciate their illuminating and insightful observations about the value of hiking and the benefits of enjoying nature — along with their helpful recommendations for worthy hiking destinations in the Valley.

— Terri Wilson 4

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Great Pond State Forest in Simsbury

We asked them the following two questions:

1 — What is your favorite hiking trail in the Farmington Valley? 2 — What do you see as the main benefits of hiking? These residents and their comments are listed in alphabetical order by town, and by their last names.

AVON Heather Maguire Avon Town Council Chair 1 — We are so fortunate to live in an area with access to so many trails. I live close to the trails at Found Land and tend to walk those trails more often, but one of my favorite places to walk is the area around Fisher Meadows. 2 — I enjoy the exercise — the relaxing beauty and the woods and lakes clear my head. I love to take my dogs into the woods, they just love all the new smells!

Photo by Connor Hogan

Sarah Thompson Founder • ShopBlackCT • ShopBlackCT.com is a free website that lists and seeks to elevate Blackowned businesses in Connecticut 1 — The great thing about the Farmington Valley is that there are many choices when it comes to trails and hiking. Nothing beats the view from the Heublein Tower after hiking the trail at Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury, especially in autumn. Enders State Forest in Granby provides an amazing treat with a number of waterfalls at peak during the spring, and Stratton Brook Park is another great local spot with several trails and even a covered bridge and beach to enjoy in the summer. 2 — Hiking provides a connection to nature and a step away from constantly being “plugged in” to technology, which, for me, is much needed for self-care and mental health. Plus, it provides so many benefits for physical health that it’s a win-win.

Terri Wilson President • Avon Historical Society 1 — The hike along the ridge up to Heublein Tower and standing where Mark Twain and his best friend, Rev. Joseph Hopkins Twichell, hiked every week to enjoy what they called the “Royal View” — or the view down into the Valley below. The tower itself is wonderful, and to be in the footsteps of Mark Twain, looking where he looked to see the same great view, is just very special. 2 — Benefits of hiking: fresh air and nature. Nothing like being one with the land and sky. It’s very natural to feel the pull of both when you hike. Hiking is invigorating and, during the pandemic, an excellent way to visit with friends outdoors. Sharing nature is a gift we need to preserve.

CANTON Bob Bessel Canton First Selectman

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1 — Living in Collinsville, we have many “non-trail” places to hike. Our typical walk is up South Street to High, then down to Dyer and maybe pick up the river trail back to downtown Collinsville. Sometimes we head toward the Shops. 2 — Benefits of hiking are exercise, change of pace (ability to connect with people and surroundings at a slower speed) and better connection with the community around us. Hiking helps us break down isolation, notice the world and find things we didn’t know were there.

Jay Kaplan Director • Roaring Brook Nature Center • Canton 1 — There are so many hiking trails in the Farmington Valley, it is difficult to pick a favorite. My answer would probably depend on what I was hoping to find — perhaps birds, wildflowers, etc. For scenery, you can’t beat the trails in Peoples State Forest. I also like the Simsbury Land Trust’s trail that follows the trap rock ridge in West Simsbury. I think it is called the West Mountain Trail. The Canton Land Conservation Trust’s Sun, Wind and Woodlands trails are worth watching. In 2016, the CLCT cleared a 10acre parcel as part of an initiative to create habitat for the New England cottontail, and to attract brushland-loving birds. Although there are no rabbits at this time, the area has been successful at attracting birds that are declining throughout the area due to loss of habitat. The CLCT also maintains other nice trails like the Humphrey-Goedecke trail that runs along Cherry Brook. Finally, the Quarry trail maintained by Roaring Brook Nature Center and running through the state-owned Werner’s Woods is a favorite. 2 — Hiking provides many benefits. There are obvious health benefits to an active lifestyle that includes physical activity. For many people, running is much harder on the joints than a brisk hike. There are also numerous studies that tie mental and emotional health to spending time outdoors. In the pandemic era, hiking is one of the activities that can be done safely with appropriate social distancing. Then, there are the educational benefits of hiking to see wildlife, engage in photography, study wildflowers and so much more. Hiking can be easy or strenuous depending upon where you want to go and what you want to see. I highly recommend it! 6

David Leff Canton Poet Laureate 1 — Ever since the National Park Service appointed me poet-in-residence for the New England National Scenic Trail for 2016-17, the section of the New England Trail (NET) that runs along Avon Mountain and the Talcott Ridge (also known as the Metacomet Trail) is my favorite for its rugged terrain and great views. 2 — Hiking challenges our bodies and soothes the spirit. In the rhythm of a hike, the legs and heart are in conversation with the mind making dreams seem possible.

FARMINGTON Michael Kelly Blanchard Director of Operations + SingerSongwriter • Quail Ministries 1 — Presently my favorite trail is Suburban Park in Unionville. A trail full of history — signage explains the 1895 to 1905 amusement park of the same name and there are even ruins to explore — and beauty: a splendid brook to walk along as well as well-cleared trails through the hilly woods. 2 — Cardio workout: Slight to steep trails get the old heart a-pumping throughout. Well worth the visit!

Paula Kelley President • Farmington Food Pantry 1 — Our favorite trail is the portion of the Farmington River Trail from the River Road parking lot in Unionville up to the center of Collinsville. The beauty of the Farmington River never gets old. 2 — The main benefits for my husband and I are the physical advantages gained from walking. We control the pace and distance, and the added bonus is the serenity and beauty of the river. We have regularly seen bald eagles, great herons, numerous varieties of water birds … always a surprise and delight watching for them.

C.J. Thomas Farmington Town Council Chair 1 — My favorite trail in the Farmington Valley is the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail — the sheer number of runners, walkers and riders it brings outdoors is amazing. When I am looking for a peaceful hike, the Canal Aqueduct & Henry Mason Trail is a great one. There is a tremendous history behind the trail as well as markers describing some of the flora you will encounter on your journey. Any hike along the river is a great one in my book.

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2 — Any hike I take offers a chance to get fresh air, exercise and time to reflect. We are so fortunate to live in an area with ample opportunities to enjoy our natural surroundings. This past year has highlighted just how important that is.

GRANBY Connor Hogan Director • McLean Game Refuge • Granby + Canton + Simsbury • The main entrance to McLean Game Refuge is in Granby — along with most of its acreage — but smaller parts of the refuge are in Canton and Simsbury 1 — Two of my favorite places for wildlife viewing are Great Pond State Forest in Simsbury and Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in Granby. One of my favorite places to visit for old forest is Belden Forest in Simsbury. 2 — Though I enjoy trail running, snowshoeing, skiing, etc., I most enjoy going to the forest to simply enjoy nature. I love the chance of seeing something new or unexpected. That may be an animal encounter, a view, a new plant or just a beautiful light through the trees.

James Q. Rice Chief Investment Officer • JQR Capital 1 — My favorite hiking trail in the Farmington River Valley is probably the Jessie Gerard Trail in Barkhamsted — a 2.9-mile loop that rises 692 feet for a western view of the Farmington River. Within the footprint for Today Magazine, my favorite trail is probably the extended Spring Pond Loop on the south end of McLean Game Refuge in Granby. It can be accessed from Canton Road and it offers views of Spring Pond and a breezy sanctuary on hot days due to its shaded and elevated disposition. Park on Canton Road and head down the Pond Road. Skip the Pond Trail and take a left at the next T onto North Trail. Take a left onto Esker Road and enjoy the hike past Spring Pond before taking the right back up Pond Road to your car. This 2.1mile loop is a perfect after-work release. Editor’s Note — Today Magazine covers the five core Farmington Valley towns: Avon, Canton, Farmington, Granby and Simsbury — the town of Barkhamsted is part of the Farmington River watershed, but isn’t part of the geographic area known as the Farmington Valley 2 — The benefits of hiking include a lowimpact exercise regimen that can be done almost anywhere. I usually wear my hiking

shoes during the work day or keep them in the back of my car so I can catch a quick hike between meetings around the Farmington Valley. Other benefits are an immediate stress relief from daily worries and a more direct connection with our amazing planet that we call home. There is no secret that Finland is the happiest country on earth because they so frequently take a “woods bath” by donning their muddy boots to literally get lost in the great outdoors.

SIMSBURY Eric Wellman Simsbury First Selectman 1 — My favorite trail is the Farmington River Trail and an easy-to-miss side trail that leads into Ethel Walker Woods. My daughter and I discovered this trail at the beginning of the pandemic and have been taking hikes together weekly. 2 — There is so much evidence about the mental health benefits of walking in the woods. This is something that really hit home for me during the pandemic, when I discovered the trails in Ethel Walker Woods. One of the great things about Simsbury is the plentiful trail system, but if you get lost you just need to walk half a mile and you’ll find a neighborhood.

Linette Branham President • Rob Branham Foundation • Facebook comment 1 — Favorite trail: Tanager Hill in Simsbury 2 — Main benefit: A great chance to get outdoors, get sunshine and fresh air, and relax!

Rosemary Smith • Facebook comment 1 — Favorite trail: McLean Game Refuge — trails in Granby, Canton and Simsbury 2 — Main benefit: Hiking is a great stress reliever … as John Burroughs said, “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” +

Two young hikers traverse a trail at Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton Courtesy Photo

After reading these cogent answers to our two questions, we have a question for you — don’t you want to take a hike?

“The added bonus is the serenity and beauty of the river — we have regularly seen bald eagles, great herons, numerous varieties of water birds … always a surprise and delight watching for them” — Paula Kelley • President, Farmington Food Pantry TODAY MAGAZINE – www.TodayPublishing.net – MAY 2021

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AVON LAND TRUST Acres Preserved — 357 “ Hiking provides a connection to nature and a step away from constantly being plugged-in to technology, which, for me, is much needed for self-care and mental health ” — Sarah Thompson • Avon resident Courtesy Photo

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“ We are so fortunate to live in an area with ample opportunities to enjoy our natural surroundings — this past year has highlighted just how important that is ” — C.J. Thomas • Farmington Town Council Chair

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Gerry and Anna Holland prepare for volunteer service in Canton Special to Today Magazine

INTERNATIONAL Firefighters’ Day is observed annually on May 4, honoring the commitment and sacrifice of career and volunteer firefighters — those who came before, those yet to come, and especially those who paid the ultimate price with their lives in service to their communities. The Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department will celebrate the day by focusing on its proud history of recruiting family, friends and neighbors into its membership. The year 2021 represents a first for the department: A father and daughter, Anna and Gerry Holland, are pursuing Firefighter 1 Interior Certification together. Gerry has been a state-certified EMT for 14 years. Anna, Gerry, Colby Kordas and Putt Brown are Canton’s newest interior fire candidates. All four are already Canton exterior firefighters, and now they are training to be interior firefighters. The state’s Firefighter 1 Interior Certification, with 200-plus hours of coursework, is required for a Canton interior firefighter. Some volunteers serve as exterior firefighters — they drive the fire apparatus

and then remain with the truck, pumping water to the fire hose and providing other exterior support functions. Following is a heartfelt Q&A with the Holland team: Why should someone volunteer with Fire & EMS? Gerry — People volunteer for different reasons. For some, it’s a calling. For others, it’s a way to give back or challenge themselves. As an EMT for 14 years, I can tell you that the Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department needs help, on both the Fire and EMS sides. It takes many hands to accomplish all the tasks needed, for the wide variety of emergencies we respond to, 24/7. I encourage anyone interested to look into joining our ranks. Anna — The Fire/EMS services also provide an amazing opportunity to learn valuable life and professional skills like teamwork, discipline, communication and leadership. Many members go on to pursue careers in the medical field, law enforcement or fire services. How do you feel about Gerry/Anna running into burning buildings? Gerry — My wife Lisa and I are extremely proud of Anna. Our Litchfield County

HONORING FIRST RESPONDERS Regional Fire School training provides us with the skills, expertise and tools to not only have each other’s backs, but the backs of our Fire/EMS brothers and sisters as well. Editor’s Note —The Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department sends students to both the Litchfield and Hartford County Regional Fire Schools, depending on when classes are available. Anna — When Dad and I are dispatched to a structure fire, motor vehicle accident, river rescue or hazardous materials emergency, we’re responding as members of a crew. That transition may be hard at first, but I trust our training and trust him. The muscle memory developed through Fire School and ongoing drilling keeps us all safer. Lisa Holland — Watching Anna and Gerry study, I am confident they’re gaining the knowledge of what to expect and how to keep themselves, and their fellow crew members, safe by doing the best they can. It’s not helpful to allow the worry to supersede this noble and selfless work. How has COVID changed the

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Gerry and Anna Holland practice ladder skills with instructor Joe McElroy

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Fire & EMS service? Gerry — Our personnel are the department’s most critical asset. So making sure they are trained and protected keeps the entire community safer. What COVID has demonstrated is that our ability to adjust to quickly changing circumstances has made Canton’s EMTs and firefighters even more valuable at meeting the needs of our community.

Gerry Holland

Last Word Anna — The best way we can celebrate the true meaning of International Firefighters’ Day is to show up when a call comes in, and then provide the professional expertise and solutions we’ve been trained to deliver, to ensure we all get to go home. +

Print ir ulation —

Print ir ulation — less t an

Instructor Joe McElroy (center) with interior fire candidates (left-to-right) Putt Brown, Anna Holland, Gerry Holland and Colby Kordas

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MAY 2021 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE