Past Events
Sunday after Thanksgiving Hike – Hartman Park Red Trail
Time: 1:00 - 3:30ish pm
Place: Meet at the Main Entrance to Hartman Park, Gungy Rd, Lyme
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Join us for a post-Thanksgiving hike led by Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Vice President and Lyme Open Space Coordinator. We will walk the gorgeous red trail, which winds along craggy ridges strewn with boulders, and return on alternate trails to make a loop. There are some moderate hill climbs and some rocky terrain. Walking sticks are recommended. The entire walk is about 3.5 miles. The walk time is approximate depending upon the group pace.
Snacks will be provided. We will have a snack break on the bald nubble, a large flat expanse of smooth stone with a beautiful overlook. Bring your own water or drink. The route follows a portion of the Goodwin Trail.
Please register: openspace@townlyme.org
Map and brochure of Hartman Park. Rain cancels.
Directions: The main entrance to Hartman Park is about 1.25 miles north of the intersection of Beaver Brook Rd. and Gungy Rd.
The Goodwin Trail, overseen by the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee, is a an extended trail system crossing four towns: East Haddam, Salem, Lyme and East Lyme. Dr. Richard H. Goodwin (1911-2007) was president of the Nature Conservancy from 1956 to 1958 and again from 1964 to 1966. The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was started in 1951, and Dr. Goodwin was one of its founders. Since then, it has protected 15 million acres of land in the United States and 102 million acres in 29 other countries.
Astronomy Observing Session
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Place: Trail 53 Observatory
Contact Email: astronomy@lymelandtrust.org
Young or old, experienced, or totally unfamiliar, we look forward to exposing you to our uniquely dark skies here in Lyme. We have several different telescopes that are on display including a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain housed in a permanent observatory.
Registration required. Upon registration you will receive a link to directions and observing session guidelines.
For more information and to register: Astronomy Events
Tuesday Trek: Banningwood Preserve – Jim
Time: 9:00
Place: Meet at Banningwood Preserve parking lot at 19 Town Street/Rt. 82.
Contact Email: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Jim
mostly gentle (some short hill sections) 1.7-mile loop through a variety of habitats including meadows, upland forest, and floodplain forest flanking the scenic meanders of Roaring Brook. Bring a snack to enjoy for a brief rest at the picnic table at Diana’s Field.
Register: Jim.arrigoni@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Pre-Thanksgiving Preserve Walk and Brew Happy Hour
Time: 2:30-4:00 pm Walk, 4:00 pm Happy Hour
Place: Walden Preserve, 119 Hargen Rd, Salem and Fox Farm Brewery, 62 Music Vale Rd, Salem
Contact Email: education@lymelandtrust.org
There is a special beauty in the outdoors after the leaves have fallen. Join a friendly group for a brisk Fall walk at Walden Preserve in Salem. The preserve, owned by The Nature Conservancy, has beautiful meadows and Eightmile River views with beaver activity. After the walk, it’s a 2 minute drive for a fun social hour at the Fox Farm Brewery, which has a rotating selection of their own locally brewed European-Inspired Lager, American Ales, and Farmhouse Ales available for purchase.
Space is limited. Register: education@lymelandtrust.org
DIRECTIONS: Walden Preserve: From Salem Roundabout, go north on Route 85 for 1/2 mile, turn left on Hagen Road. The parking lot for the preserve is about 500 ft. on the right.
Fox Farm Brewery: From Walden Preserve, take a left onto Hagen Rd. AT the end of the road, take a left on to Rte 85 and then an immediate right onto music Vale Rd. The Brewery is about 1500 feet on the left.
Tree Collective- Teen Hike and Steward Group Meet-up
Time: 1:00-3:30 pm
Place: Register to learn location
Contact Email: reganstacey@gmail.com
The Tree Collective is a program designed to engage young conservationists ages 14-18 in outdoor fun and education while working to maintain trails in our beautiful town of Lyme, CT. It is sponsored by the Lyme Land Trust under the leadership of environmentalist/artist Regan Stacey. Each time we meet, we offer a different topic, often with a hike and trail work in a selected preserve.
Tools and gloves provided.
Registration required: reganstacey@gmail.com.
Click on flyer to enlarge.
Family Trail Time with Tori
Time: 10:00 am
Place: Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve, Brush Hill Road, Lyme CT
Contact Email: vharris1391@gmail.com
Presenter: Tori Harris
Walk the yellow trail loop to see beautiful stone walls and evidence of an old quarry. Meet at the Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve Parking lot on Brush Hill Rd, about 1/2 mile south of the Hadlyme Country Market. Join Tori and family on the 4th Sunday of every month for a “mile-ish” hike geared towards families with children under 5, but no age limit!
Kindly email vharris1391@gmail.com to register.
Tori is a Mom of two littles – Kade, 3 yrs, and Quinn, 1 yr. Hiking and wandering in the local preserves, has really given her family the safe space to let Kade run loose and has a calming effect on Quinn. Working full time, volunteering in many organizations and finding time to enjoy the outdoors with the whole family, can be tough, but it is worth it!
Tuesday Trek: Jewett Preserve – Kristina
Time: 9:00 am
Place: Meet at the Mt Archer Woods parking lot, south side of Mt Archer Rd.
Contact Email: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
Presenter: Kristina
We will hike off trail to view interesting stoneworks and see the interconnected stone walls throughout Jewett. 3 miles.
Register: kristina.white@lymelandtrust.org
View the Tuesday Trek Schedule
Night Hike with Quinn
Time: 4:00-5:30 pm
Place: Hartman Park, Gungy Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Presenter: Quinn
Join Quinn, Lyme Land Trust board member, for a family friendly night hike (ages 5 and up). We focus on how our perceptions change and appreciate what night brings to the forests and ponds of Lyme. Our way will be lit by the almost full moon. We will not be using artificial light, but you are invited to bring an emergency flashlight. Dress warmly and bring a walking stick.
Please register: ryan.p.quinn@gmail.com
Nehantic Native Nation Talk
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Lyem Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd, Lyme CT
Contact Email: edcucation@lymelandtrust.org
John Pfeiffer, archaeologist and honorary member of Nehantic Native Nation, will talk about the Nehantics, indigenous people who have inhabited this land for thousands of years.
As Europeans moved into the lower Connecticut Valley in the 1630s, the Nehantics resided in the region. By the 1870s, the State of Connecticut declared them “extinct” and their reservation was sold. Yet their history was never over.
Dr. John Pfeiffer received his PhD in anthropology from the SUNY Albany and has worked in southeastern New England as an anthropologist, historian, and archaeologist for more than 50 years. He has aided local Native American groups (Schaghticoke, Mohegan, and Nehantic) in better understanding their cultural identity and unique histories.
Take-a-Walk Wednesday: McColluch Family Open Space and Lay-Allen Preserve – Wendy
Date: Wed November 13, 2024Time: 9:30 am
Place: Whippoorwill Rd. Old Lyme, CT. Parking lot is almost 3 miles from Route 1 or 3.5 miles from Mile Creek Road.
Contact Email: openspace@townlyme.org
Presenter: Wendy Hill
We will walk about 2.5 miles. This beautiful property was once a horse farm. A highlight of the hike is Rook’s Meadow and Jimmy’s Pond.
Sponsored with the Lyme’s Senior Center.
Reservations are required. Please email Caitlin Perkins at cperkins@oldlyme-ct.gov or call (860)434-1605 ext. 241. Free to Lyme’s Senior Center members. $5 for non-members.
On the 3rd Wednesday of each month (unless noted) the group will get together at various hiking areas in Lyme and Old Lyme. Hikes will be led by Wendy Hill, Open Space Coordinator of Lyme and the Vice President of Lyme Land Trust. The walks are moderate, dirt paths with some uneven footing and moderate hills, unless noted. Paced to the group. Bring a walking stick, water bottle and dress for the weather. Inclement weather cancels.
View the Take-a-Walk Wednesday Schedule
