Date: Fri 18-Aug-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

trails-Goodrich-Mitchell-parks

Full Text:

On The Trail Of A Newtown Adventure

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Bzzzzzzzzz...Kathump, kathump, kathump...CaCaaaaaaw, CaCaaaaaaw. Bees, white

tailed deer, crows, and other wildlife will cross your path if you venture

into one of Newtown's parks, or along a site of the former railroad system in

town.

For families wishing to explore the multitude of varied walks and hikes in our

town, Newtown Trails Book II by Mary Mitchell and Al Goodrich is the

authoritative guide. The book provides pull-out maps, history, illustrations,

and a few photographs of what you will encounter on the 13 trails.

Many of the shorter hikes would be appropriate for those with young children

and each boasts something quite special. Orchard Hill Nature Center has an

incredibly diverse terrain packed into a 25-acre parcel including a river,

meadow, hemlock grove, swamps, and a mill site. The trail off Brennan Road

leads to a section of abandoned rails and tunnels blasted into the rocky

hills. And the Covered Bridge Trail has just that - a 1957 wooden bridge

offering soothing river views and entrance to the shaded path.

The trails book, which comes in a plastic binder, is available at the Cyrenius

Booth Library for $15. For those who already own the first edition, the Rail

Trail portion of the updated version is available for $8. All proceeds benefit

the library.

So round up the kids, the bug spray, wildflower books, water bottle, and trail

maps - you're off on a Newtown adventure.