OCP Walks: Willington, Connecticut

Fenton-Ruby Park & Drobny Sanctuary: Willington Conservation Commission - Burma Road, Willington, CT

Park location shown at Fenton-Ruby Park on Google Maps

8. Fenton Ruby Park

The Fenton-Ruby Park and Wildlife Preserve is managed by the Willington Conservation Commission, which is committed to maintaining its natural state and enhancing wildlife habitat, as well as providing opportunities for the public to enjoy its beauty. The forest is mostly mixed deciduous trees, including maple, oak, hickory, and beech, with some hemlock and pine. Most of the area was once grazing land for farms, as can be seen by the many stone walls. The park also includes Taylor Pond, a beaver pond, and some grasslands to the west of the Fenton River, as well as wetland along the river.Fenton-Ruby Park includes a portion of the Old Connecticut Path. Click on the map (above left) to enlarge. A sample of views along the walk is shown above right (click to enlarge).

Fenton-Ruby Park now has a trail connection with the Langhammer Town Forest in Ashford. The "Ashford Link Trail" (red line on map on left) connects from the Ruby Trail in Fenton-Ruby Park crossing the Ashford town line from Willington to connect with the new "Langhammer Loop Trail" (black line on map on right). The two preserves share a connection along the Old Connecticut Path (green line on maps left & right).For an enjoyable circuit walk walk, follow the Ruby Trail and Langhammer Loop Trail to Ashford. Return to Willington along the Old Connecticut Path.

Taylor Pond Trail video

To view a short video tour of the Taylor Pond Trail (6 min 5 sec), click on the picture on the right side of the screen.

For more information, trail map, self-guided tour brochure and directions, visit the Town of Willington Conservation Commission web page Ruby-Fenton Park & Drobney Preserve

The Center/Central Turnpike from Wellesley, MA to Tolland, CT was constructed in the early 1800s to provide an efficient route for stagecoach and freight travel between Boston and Hartford. The Center Turnpike connected with the Tolland Turnpike to reach Hartford. The combination of the Central/Center Turnpike and the Tolland Turnpike paralleled, and in some places was built upon, the route of the Old Connecticut Path.In the 20th century, the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and Merritt Parkway (I-84) became the modern replacement for the old Center/Central & Tolland turnpikes that had replaced the Old Connecticut Path.

VIDEO

Willimantic River Walk - I-84 Welcome Center

An unexpected pleasure can be found at the Connecticut Welcome Center located on Interstate 84 westbound in Willington. A short path from the Visitor Center leads down to the banks of the Willimantic River to the site of the "Red Bridge" on the Center Turnpike. This area is a little gem for those who need a quiet break from driving on the Interstate.

The short video (1 min:48 sec) provides a brief introduction to the path along the Willimantic River leading to the site of the "Red Bridge" that carried the Center Turnpike over the river. Note: This video is low definition to keep the file size small. A high definition video will be filmed and produced at a future date.

DIRECTIONSThe Connecticut Welcome Center is located in Willington on I-84 west toward Hartford approximately 0.5 mile west of Exit 70/CT RT 32.The entrance to the path is located on the west side of the Visitor Center. Look for the "Cole Wilde Trout Management Area" sign. Go down hill to the gate. Pass through the gate and continue a short distance to the Willimantic River. Turn left to walk downstream to the site of the "Red Bridge". Distance is less than 0.2 mile to the bridge site. At this time, there are no loops in the trail. Return following the upstream along the river retracing your steps to the Visitor Center.

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