Page 21 - Bristol Magazine Spring 2025

ed along the walkways. It is a key other mobility devices. Bench- sion concrete basketball court, an
corner feature in the city, with en- es and habitat signs greet visitors improved ball field and new pickle-
trances on both School Street and along the gently winding path that ball courts. Picnic areas, and both
North Main Street. runs through the naturally wood- regular and toddler playgrounds,
ed area. Inside, the nature center including a new pirate themed
Veterans Memorial Boulevard is building has amphibians, reptiles playscape, are also on site.
tree lined, dotted with park bench- and birds of prey on exhibit, and
es, and includes a bike lane, two a quaint nature themed gift shop, FEDERAL HILL
fishing ponds, a fountain, and an too. The nature center operates in Federal Hill Green and Riordan
urban garden. Bristol’s heroes are conjunction with the Indian Rock Playground, 40 Queen Street, fea-
honored through a series of poi- Nature Preserve. tures antique lighting and park
gnant monuments and light pole benches, an illuminated walkway,
banners, and all branches of the Pigeon Hill Preserve is also open playfield, and playground. A new
military are depicted on the Me- year-round for public use, seven community-chosen playground
morial Boulevard bridge. days a week, from dawn to dusk, will be installed this summer.
with a 1.3-mile loop running to the
Barnes Nature Center and back.
Unique to this site is a historic es-
ker, a long, winding ridge of sand
and gravel deposited by glacial
meltwater, which the preserve pro-
tects. Pigeon Hill is at the corner of
Oak Hill Drive and Shrub Road. GPS
Veterans Memorial Boulevard Map users should reference 315 Shrub
Map courtesy of the bristolct.myrec.com
Road to arrive at the front gate.
EDGEWOOD Page Park Pond - Photo Credit: City of Bris-
Located at 175 Shrub Road, The tol, Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth
Barnes Nature Center is set on 68 and Community Services - Amry Shelby
acres and serves as Bristol’s com- Page Park, 659 King Street, is un-
munity nature center. Hiking trails dergoing updates, with four light-
are open for year-round public use, ed pickleball courts slated for com-
seven days a week, from dawn to pletion this summer. It's a beautiful
dusk. The center’s Blue-Blazed Hik- place to walk and fish, and includes
ing Trail System connects to the a disc golf course, lighted tennis
Tunxis Mainline Trail System, which courts, a hardball diamond and
is the longest of the Blue-Blazed Trail map courtesy of The Barnes Nature softball field, picnic areas, and
Trails maintained by the Connecti- Center both regular and toddler play-
cut Forest and Park Association. Both centers invite you to explore grounds. There is also an ADA fully
A new one-mile trail at Barnes is and ask visitors to be respectful of accessible playscape in Page Park’s
the native habitats. Dogs must be lower level.
leashed. Please remember to pick
up after your pets. For more in- Wilson Playground, 25 Fifth Street,
formation about these sites, visit offers visitors the use of regular
them online at elcct.org. playground equipment, a softball
field, and a basketball court.

FORESTVILLE
Described as a “hidden experi-
ence,” Peck Park, 87 Daley Street,
offers fresh air and fun with tennis
courts, toddler playgrounds and
baseball fields. Bike riders are also
welcome.
Seymour Park Playground - Photo Cred-
Barnes ADA Trail it: City of Bristol, Department of Parks, Quinlan Park, 10 Broad Street, is
Harry C. Barnes Nature Center Recreation, Youth and Community Services Forestville’s memorial space dedi-
Photo Credit: Sharon Arsego - Erica Ussery cated to area Veterans. Commem-
fully accessible to people using The revitalized Seymour Park, 275 orative signage identifies honor-
wheelchairs, strollers, walkers and Shrub Road, now has a post-ten- ees, with benches provided for

BristolMagazineCT.com 21