Author: Cecilia

Sleeping Giant State Park –
Sleeping Giant State Park is currently (September 2018) closed due to storm damage.  
“Two miles of mountaintop resembling a large man lying in repose, the “sleeping giant”, is a popular feature of the south central Connecticut skyline.”  From the observation tower on the peak of Mt. Carmel there are excellent views of Long Island Sound and the New Haven area.  Here is their website.  Trail map       Phone 203-287-5658
? The 3 mile loop Tower Trail at Hampton is referred to as very easy by some and steep by others. One reviewer describes it as “Broad, gravel trail, appropriate for a stroller.”  The first half mile (17 stops on the guide)  of the 1 1/2 mile loop self-guiding Nature Trail is “easy, level walking, and can be done by anyone, even small children or elderly persons.” but then becomes steep and difficult in places.

Sherwood Island State Park
Sherwood Island State Park encompasses 235 acres in the Greens Farms section of Westport.   This was Connecticut’s first state park and offers opportunities to picnic, …”swim in Long Island Sound, or view marsh life from the observation platform at Sherwood Island.”  The park has accessible bathrooms, picnic tables and shelter, and surf chairs.  The trails look as though they are easy, but call first.   Here is their website.   Phone 203-226-6983  Map

Machimoodus State Park
The 300 acres of Machimoodus State Park, East Haddum, overlook the Salmon River and Salmon River Cove and incorporate uplands, woodlands, meadows, river and cove waterfronts.  Three ponds near the park entrance abut fields which are mowed for the benefit of the summer wildflowers.  The ponds and meadows make for excellent birding as well as lots of butterflies.
Here is their website.   Phone 860-526-2336  Map 
The ponds are wheelchair accessible and there are 4 1/2 miles of old farm roads for easy walking.

Kent Falls State Park
At Kent Falls State Park in the Litchfield Hills Region of CT,  Falls Brook drops in a series of waterfalls 250′ to the Housatonic River.  There is a covered bridge and a short paved walk to the base of the falls.  The walk to the top has hand rails, but is described by some as steep.  There are only 10 available parking spaces, including some accessible.  The bathrooms are accessible.  Here is a description of the park and its geology from stateparks.com.     Out-of-state fee is $15.
Here is their website. Phone 860-927-3238  Map
The 1/4 mile paved trail to the falls is described as wheelchair accessible on the website.  The trail along the steam to the top is steep in places.

Hammonasset Beach State Park
Hammonasset Beach State Park, near Madison, lies adjacent to the Hammonasset Natural Area Preserve and offers over two miles of shoreline,  a boardwalk, picnic tables and shelters, showers, a nature center, surf chairs, and a campground.   Here is their website.   Phone 203-245-2785  Map
?   There are a number of trails including a paved one from the Meigs Point Nature Center.  I think these may be accessible, but it would be wise to call the Park or the Nature Center (phone number 203-245-8743) before going.

Haley Farm State Park
Haley Farm State Park, at Groton, was part of a  parcel granted to John Winthrop, Jr., Connecticut’s first governor, in 1649.   It was farmed until the 1950’s.  A park for approx. 47 years, this historic land turned dairy farm is now a 276 acre nature escape.  There is a wide range of habitat from upland forest to marshy wetlands, which makes for good birding and for butterflies.  There are ponds, many stone walls and a large glacier erratic named Jemima’s Rock or Hanging Rock.
Here is their website.  Map   Phone 860-444-7591
 The wheelchair accessible 0.8 mile Haley Farm Bike Trail, which winds  through the scenic old shoreline farm is part of a 7 1/2 mile town-owned bikeway routed from Mystic to Groton on local roadways.

Air Line State Park Trail –
Airline State Park Trail is a 54.6 mile linear rail/ trail passing through eleven towns in eastern Connecticut.  From the site: “Stretching across eastern Connecticut from Thompson to East Hampton, this linear trail dates from the 1870s, and today draws walkers, hikers, horseback riders and bikers from across the state for the views, the relaxation and the solitude.”  There is a lot of information and links on the website.  Here is the website.  Brochure and maps for the towns of East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron and Lebanon.
Although not generally not handicapped accessible, some sections in East Hampton (phone 860-267-6020), Colchester (phone 860-537-7297), and Hebron (phone 860-228-5971 x129) are wheelchair accessible.    

Connecticut State Parks and Forests – list with links to maps and information.  There is no rating of trail difficulty.

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection –  Info on accessibility in Connecticut state parks and forests.   From their website: “Accessible parking and picnic tables can be found at all park and forest recreation areas.  Public buildings at most state parks are also accessible.  The conversion process is continuing with upgraded facilities currently in design for Hopeville Pond, Mashamoquet Brook, Quaddick, and Sleeping Giant State Parks; and Pachaug and  Shenipsit State Forests.  In 1996, Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury was the first to have a total retrofit making all park facilities  (parking, trails, restrooms, picnic areas, beach) accessible.”   See the site for more information on camping, beach wheelchairs, and fishing platforms.