Peter Marteka

1 week ago | ctinsider.com | Peter Marteka

There is a cure for cabin fever with spring hikes outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy with the entire family. Nature preserve with views A portion of the 120-acre 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm is part of a State Park Preserve. A two-mile-long loop trail takes visitors to the top of an overlook across orchards with views north into Massachusetts and west to Talcott Mountain and the Heublein Tower poking out of the top of the traprock ridge.

1 month ago | ctinsider.com | Peter Marteka

Native Americans named the woods along the rivers southeast Connecticut "Poquetanuck" meaning "land broken up." But when Desire Parker purchased a 234-acre portion of Poquetanuck in the 1950s, she made a promise to the local farmer she bought the land from to never break it up. That promise became an ironclad agreement in 1988 when Parker donated her beloved land to The Nature Conservancy. It's a promise that now benefits everyone who navigate the wilds of Poquetanuck Cove Preserve in Ledyard.

2 months ago | ncadvertiser.com | Peter Marteka

A view close to the top of the observation tower at Orenaug Park in Woodbury. Peter Marteka/For Hearst Connecticut MediaIf you’ve ever wanted to visit the 50 states, just head to 78-acre Orenaug Park in Woodbury. There, at least you can visit a pair of stone pillars containing rocks from each of the 50 states. It’s one of those Connecticut “Did you know?” trivia things – nuggets of unique places in the Constitution State.

2 months ago | middletownpress.com | Peter Marteka

This article originally appeared in Connecticut Magazine. You can subscribe here, or find the current issue on sale here. Sign up for the newsletter to get the latest and greatest content from Connecticut Magazine delivered right to your inbox. On Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag. (Note: At the time of this writing, all parks and trails included here were open.

Nov 17, 2024 | middletownpress.com | Peter Marteka

Songwriter Bobby Troup wrote the song “Get Your Kicks On Route 66,” urging travelers to see the sights and cities along the 2,400-mile route from the farm fields of Illinois to Los Angeles. Connecticut’s version of the highway runs from Meriden to Willimantic and I urge travelers to stop at Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s headquarters in Middlefield and explore the trails of the 256-acre Highlawn Forest.