Page 20 - Bristol Magazine Spring 2025

by Sharon Arsego

EMBRACING
EMBRA CING

THE OUTDOORS:
THE OUTDOORS:

Spring Activities in Bristol

re you eager to embrace the by both BPRYCS and ELCCT.
CEDAR LAKE
Awarmer weather? Ready for a The Indian Rock Nature Preserve
break from work and screen time? Let’s explore some of Bristol’s out- offers online registration for their
Want to stretch your legs and clear door options by neighborhood. programs and events and is only
your mind? Spring has arrived, and Note that Pine Lake Adventure opened to scheduled groups. Ex-
with it, many fun-filled ways to stay Park in Forestville, and Indian Rock amples of previous programs of-
active outdoors in Bristol! It’s as Nature Preserve in Cedar Lake, are fered include Intro to Wilderness
easy as a walk, run, hike or game only open to the public by reserva- Survival Skills and April Vacation
in any number of the city’s natural tion. Otherwise, all sites are avail- Camp for Kids. For more informa-
spaces. able for general use. tion about the preserve, call 860-

Bristol’s extensive outdoor offer- For a full list of all the city’s facil- 583-1234, or visit them online at
elcct.org.
ings are by design, as most of the ities, including ways to reserve or
neighborhoods have at least one request usage as needed, visit the
park, each with its own set of ame- BPRYCS site www.bristolrec.com. CHIPPENS HILL
nities. This is due to the concen- Become a registered user for full Nelson’s Field, 776 Burlington Av-
trated efforts of the Bristol Parks, use of the site, and bookmark it for enue, is on the corner with Maple
Recreation, Youth and Communi- future reference. Avenue, and is the very definition
ty Services Department (BPRYCS). of “open space”. This field invites
Their mission is to provide high games of Frisbee, walks with your
quality services and facilities to pup, kite flying, bird watching, and
promote good physical and mental picnicking. The area serves as a
health, and to foster community passive recreation area for visitors
and cultural connections. while minimizing disturbances to
the natural habitat.
The city’s network is further en-
hanced by three nature sanctu- DOWNTOWN
aries, two that are owned and Brackett Park in Downtown Bristol
maintained by the Environmental is classic New England with shade
Learning Centers of Connecticut, trees, a gazebo and basketball
Inc. (ELCCT), while the third is court, both regular and toddler
owned by the city, and maintained playgrounds, and benches provid-
City of Bristol, CT Neighborhoods
Courtesy of BristolAllHeart.com
20 Bristol Magazine - Spring Issue 2025