Catalog of Ridgefield Open Spaces

Catalog of Ridgefield Open Spaces

This catalog of Ridgefield's open space lands was designed and produced by David Wesley, who initiated the project and completed it over a year's time. We are grateful to David for his efforts and are pleased to post it on our web site.

Ridgefield has approximately 5,200 acres of open space under various jurisdictions, representing 23% of the town's total area. By comparison, New York City's expansive Central Park contains about 800 acres. This catalog is devoted to hiking areas under town or state management. All are open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Click here for open space land use rules.

Those who read this catalog and decide to explore some of these open spaces are urged to purchase The Ridgefield Walk Book (1997) by the Ridgefield Conservation Commission. The Walk Book is the source of many of the statistics contained in the catalog. The book provides a more complete description of each area (except Bennett's Pond, which became public open space in 2001) along with a map of the trails of each. It is available for purchase for $5 at Ridgefield Town Hall, the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, Ridgefield Office Supply (Squash's) and Books on the Common.

Table of Contents

Click on an item below to go to its listing it the catalog. Click on the Back to TOC link to return here.

Aldrich Park

Barrack Hill Refuge

Bennett's Pond

Bobby's Court/Topstone Preserve

Blacksmith Ridge

Brewster Farm

Florida Refuge

Hemlock Hills/Lake Windwing

John Soluri Preserve

Kiah's Brook Refuge/Titicus Preserve

Levy Park

Mar-Joy Pond/Casey Lane

Norwalk River Environmental Study Area

Old Spectacle Lane

Peaceable Refuge

Peterson Gorge/Ridgebury Slope

Seth Low Pierrepont State Park

Spectacle Swamp/Silvermine Ridge

Turner Hill/Ridgebury Farms Trail

Weir Farms National Historic Site/ Nod Hill Refuge

West Mountain McManus Section

West Mountain Reed Section

West Mountain Wetland Walk

Woodcock Nature Center

Aldrich Park Acres: 65 Time, Minutes: 120 Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Some steep sections. Features: Woodland trails with many outcroppings of ledge, bolder fields, glacial erratics and stone walls. The Orange Trail is an easy, short walk alongside a stream and wetlands. Parking/Trail Entrance: At the southern end of the park on New Road, near the junction with Farmingville Road. Back To TOC	Parking Area and Entrance to Aldrich Park

Barrack Hill Refuge Acres: 9 Time, Minutes: 20 Difficulty: Easy Features:. Mica, quartz and feldspar fragments can be found around the old Titicus Mica Quarry on the site Parking/Trail Entrance: At the cul-de-sac at the end of Settler's Lane. Back To TOC	Old Titicus Mica Quarry in Barrack Hill Refuge

Bennett's Pond Acres: 460 Time, Minutes: 150 to 180 Difficulty: Easy in low section, steep grade in climb to Pine Mountain View Trail Map Features: Beautiful large pond, wildlife, connects with Pine Mountain. The Bennett's Pond property is part of the Connecticut State Park system. It will become the southern terminus of the extensive Ives Trail system under development Parking/Trail Entrance: Large parking corral on north side of Bennett's Farm Road approximately 3/4 mile from Route 7. Back To TOC	Looking Across Bennett's Pond from SW Side

Bobby's Court/Topstone Preserve Acres: 34 (Bobby's) and 9 (Topstone) Time, Minutes: 60(Bobby's) and 90 (Topstone) Difficulty: Easy to moderate (Bobby's) and difficult (Topstone) Features: Bobby's has a fairly steep, wooded trail to start, then becomes flat. Topstone has a low wetlands area followed by a steep, difficult slope to the top. Parking/Trail Entrance: Park on the east side shoulder of Route 7 just north of Topstone Road. From this point walk north over a small bridge to find the trail entrance on your right. There is another trail entrance on Topstone Road. Back To TOC	Wooded Area of Bobby's Court

Blacksmith Ridge Acres: 15 Time, Minutes: 80 Difficulty: Generally difficult Features: Beautiful woodland pool at the south end. A variety of trees and wetlands throughout. Parking/Trail Entrance: Three choices: 1) cul-de-sac on Blacksmith Ridge Road; 2) road shoulder on Woodcock Lane and 3) side of road at mailbox #184 on Peaceable Ridge Road Back To TOC	Trail Entrance Near Woodcock Lane

Brewster Farm Acres: 103 Time, Minutes: 60 Difficulty: Easy in west section. Some short climbs in east section. Features: Wetlands woods trail, views of farm area. The town of Ridgefield does not own the total acreage of Brewster Farm. Hikers must keep within the marked trail areas. The farm fields and buildings are not for public access. Parking/Trail Entrance: West-side road shoulder at north end of Lounsbury Lane Back To TOC	Trail Section: Unpaved Section of Lounsbury Lane

Florida Refuge Acres: 63 Time, Minutes: 90 Difficulty: Moderate with some hills. Features: Wetlands trails via bridges and walkways. Large boulders, overlooks, attractive picnicking sites. Two Parking Choices: 1) Shoulder on east side of Florida Road near trail head and 2) shoulder on north side of Florida Hill Rd below Cooper Hill Road. Three Trail Entrances: 1) North Side of Florida Hill Road near house no. 234, 2) entrance on west Side of Florida Hill Road near High Plains Road and 3) another entrance below the one above. Back To TOC	Pond in Florida Refuge

Hemlock Hills/Lake Windwing Acres: 421 Time, Minutes: 150 Difficulty: Easy to difficult Features: Wide variety of trails with trees, bushes and wildflowers. Deep, picturesque gorge near Pine Mountain entrance Parking/Trail Entrance: Ample parking on the property and trail entrances at North Shore Drive, Ned's Mountain Rd., South Shore Drive ball field, and Pine Mountain Road. Back To TOC	Ravine in Near Pine Mountain Side of Hemlock Hills

John Soluri Preserve Acres: 46 Time, Minutes: 45 Difficulty: Easy Features: Former Outpost Nursery property has a wide variety of trees. Parking/Trail Entrance: Dead end at Linden Road, parking for one car. Driveway for Aquarion Company pumping station off Norrans Ridge Drive has parking for two cars on shoulder (shown in the picture at the right). Feel free to walk, but do not drive beyond the wooden gate. Back To TOC	Parking for Two Cars and Trail Entrance, Right

Kiah's Brook Refuge/Titicus Preserve Acres: 43 (total) Time, Minutes: 60 (combined system) Difficulty: Easy Features: Trail follows Titicus River with views of a swamp and brook. The northern end is mostly forest. Parking/Trail Entrance: Park in the lot directly behind Scotland School for entrance to the red and yellow trails there. Or park close to the Ridgefield Recreation Center and walk north to enter the other end of the trail system there. Back To TOC	Heading Toward Ledges Road on the Yellow Trail

Levy Park Acres: 46 Time, Minutes: 40 Difficulty: Generally moderate except for the Settler's Lane segment, which is long and steep. Features: Variety of terrain--meadow, woodland, wetland and stream. Parking/Trail Entrance: Parking corral for two cars on Barrack Hill Road. Space on cul-de-sac at the end of Settler's Lane. Trail entrances near these parking areas. Back To TOC	Rock Outcrop on Yellow Trail

Mar-Joy Pond/Casey Lane Acres: 45 Time, Minutes: 45 Difficulty: Easy in Casey Lane section, difficult in Mar-Joy Pond section Features: Pegmatite mine remains, mountain laurel, spring wildflowers Parking/Trail Entrance: Old quarry site at the end of Casey Lane The Mar-Joy Pond area has no developed trails Back To TOC	Looking South Across Mar-Joy Pond

Norwalk River Environmental Study Area Acres: 9 Time, Minutes: 30 Difficulty: Easy Features: Picturesque Norwalk River pond, woodland and wetland trails. Parking/Trail Entrance: East side of Route 7 north of Simpaug Turnpike Back To TOC	Norwalk River Pond

Old Spectacle Lane Acres: 4 Time, Minutes: 40 Difficulty: Easy to moderate Features: Spring wildflowers and stone walls Parking/Trail Entrance: Long, wide shoulder on Wilton Road West--eastern side. The trail entrance is at the southern end of this shoulder. Back To TOC	Beginning of Trail Near Wilton Road West

Peaceable Refuge Acres: 16 Time, Minutes: 30 Difficulty: Easy Features: Ferns, birds and wildflowers Parking/Trail Entrance Cul-de-sac on Revere Drive Back To TOC	Looking South Toward Peaceable Street

Peterson Gorge/Ridgebury Slope Acres: 16 (Peterson), 14 (Ridgebury) Time, Minutes: 30 (each) Difficulty: Fairly easy (both) Features: These trails are connected. Between them they have streams, wetlands, and forested areas. Parking/Trail Entrance: Park at the cul-de-sac at the end of Partridge Drive and enter the Ridgebury Slope here. Second choice: Park in the Ridgebury School parking lot and walk to the south end of the school grasslands for entrance to the junction of these trails. Third choice: The north end of the school property has an entrance to the north end of the Peterson Gorge trail. Back To TOC	Snake Lake Wetlands in Peterson Gorge

Pine Mountain Acres: 368 Time, Minutes: 120 Difficulty: Difficult, with steep sections over rocks. Links with Hemlock Hills and Bennett's Pond to comprise an all-day hike. Features: Mountain laurel, remains of Charles Ives' cottage, panoramic overlooks including a view of Long Island Sound. Parking: Five-car area at the trail head at the end of Pine Mountain Road.. Trail Entrance: Across from the parking area. Back To TOC	Scenic Overlook

Prospect Ridge Acres: 34 Time, Minutes: 30 Difficulty: Easy Features: Woods and wetlands. Parking: At the skating rink on Prospect Ridge. Trail Entrance: Walk from the parking lot and along the southern edge of the outdoor field to arrive at the trail entrance. Back To TOC	Open Woodland Section

Pumping Station Road Acres: 16 Time, Minutes: 30 Difficulty: Easy to moderately easy Features: Wetlands sections and woods with a wide variety of vegetation and animals. Parking/Trail Entrance: Parking and trail entrance at road shoulder which is about 200 feet north of the small bridge on Pumping Station Road. Back To TOC	Trail Section with Woods and Wetlands

Remington Woods Acres: 26 Time, Minutes: 30 Difficulty: Easy Features: Meadow, wetlands, and forested area. Parking: Shoulder of Barry Avenue near Woodcock Lane Trail Entrance: Along stone wall, west side of Barry Ave north of Woodcock Lane Back To TOC	Entrance to Remington Woods on Barry Ave

Richardson Park Acres: 29 Time, Minutes: 40 Difficulty: Easy Features: Easy paths and hiking trails; views of Lake Mamanasco; picnic facilities Street Location: West Mountain Road across from Ridgefield High School Parking: Large parking area at the end of the entrance driveway Back To TOC	View of Lake Mamanasco from Richardson Park

Sarah Bishop Acres: 39 Time, Minutes: 30 Difficulty: Easy Features: Deserted railroad bed, wetlands Parking: Cul-de-sac on Sharp Hill Road Trail Entrance: Road shoulder on Sarah Bishop Rd. Back To TOC	Looking West on the Old Railroad Bed


Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Acres: 313 Time, Minutes: 120 for entire system Difficulty: Easy to difficult depending on trail. Features: Swamp areas; views of Pierrepont Lake, Redding hills and (rarely) Long Island Sound from the top of Barlow Mountain. Parking/Trail Entrance: 3 Choices: 1. Baseball field at end of Pinecrest Drive 2. Park main entrance on Barlow Mountain Road 3. Small space for two cars at the trail head at the junction of Twixt Hill Road and Knollwood Drive. Back To TOC	View Across the Southern End of Pierrepont Lake

Shadow Lake Acres: 10 (estimated) Time, Minutes: 20 Difficulty: Easy Features: Pristine, undeveloped open space. Parking/Trail Entrance: Road shoulder on Shadow Lake Road near the stream that feeds Shadow Lake. Back To TOC	Shadow Lake

Spectacle Swamp/Silvermine Ridge Acres: 50 Time, Minutes: 20 Difficulty: Easy Features: Easy walking path, spring wildflowers Parking/Trail Entrance: Road shoulder on Wilton Road East Back To TOC	Looking South Along Main Path

Turner Hill/Ridgebury Farms Trail Acres: 94 Time, Minutes: 40 Difficulty: Mostly difficult because trails are overgrown, poorly marked and soggy in many spots. Features: Walk along wetlands and farm fields inhabited by large numbers of birds. Trails are undeveloped. Parking/Trail Entrance: Homeowner's association parking lot at the corner of Turner Hill Road and Barnum Place. Back To TOC	Wooded Area at the End of the Trail

Weir Farms National Historic Site/Nod Hill Refuge Acres: 57 and 29 Time, Minutes: 120 Difficulty: Easy to moderate Features: Picturesque views of the farm. Easy walk around the pond constructed by Alden Weir. Rougher terrain connecting with Nod Hill Refuge. The National Historical Site portion contains the studios and residences of artists Alden Weir and Mahonri Young. Guided tours are available Parking: Large parking area on Nod Hill Road across from historical buildings. Trail Entrance: On Nod Hill Road, about two minutes' walk north of parking area. Back To TOC	A View from the Northern End of the Pond

West Mountain McManus Section Acres: 28 Time, Minutes: 25 Difficulty: Easy Features: Scenic walkways over streams, picturesque pond Parking/Trail Entrance: On Oscaleta Road, 0.4 mile from the intersection of Oscaleta and West Mountain Roads (across the street from the Reed section). Back To TOC	Pond on McManus Trail

West Mountain Reed Section Acres: 27 Time, Minutes: 40 minutes Difficulty: Moderately easy Features: Variety of Spring wildflowers; picturesque bridge and stream Parking/Trail Entrance: On Oscaleta Road, 0.4 mile from the intersection of Oscaleta and West Mountain Roads (across the street from the McManus section). Back To TOC	Near the Trail Entrance

West Mountain Wetland Walk Acres: 9 Time, Minutes: 20 Difficulty: Easy Features: Variety of Spring wildflowers, birds Parking: Cul-de-sac on Sharp Hill Road Trail Entrance: Old driveway between two columns on West Mountain Road Back To TOC	Looking West on the Elevated Walkway

Woodcock Nature Center Acres: 146 Time, Minutes: 45 Difficulty: Easy Features: Scenic pond, views of Spectacle Brook, boardwalk extending into a swamp. Parking: Space for many cars at the end of entrance driveway on Deer Run Road Facility Entrance: Driveway off Deer Run Road at Ridgefield-Wilton border. Back To TOC	Wilton Side of Pond Looking Towards Ridgefield End