Canton Nature Center A Connecticut Educational Treasure

CANTON, CT — Chances are, if you've grown up in Canton, raised children in Canton — or both, you've crossed paths with the Roaring Brook Nature Center in town.

And why wouldn't you?

Located at 70 Gracey Road, Roaring Brook is a timeless, relaxing and educational oasis amid the frantic hustle and bustle of central Connecticut suburbia.

With walking trails galore outside providing passive recreational bliss year-round, the center also features indoor museum exhibits on the area's natural topography and habitats, as well as a litany of living creatures to provide joy to animal lovers and the naturally curious.

The roster of those living at the nature center is a veritable who's who of the animal world, from cute, furry rabbits to just about every type of reptile and amphibian to majestic birds of prey.

Many of the animals are rehabilitated creatures that can no longer live in the wild, but considering what life is like at the nature center, they're doing just fine.

Central to center taking care of their beloved living things, however, are public donations and sponsorships for food and medical care, with details on how to help readily accessible on the center's website.

Roaring Brook is affiliated with The Children's Museum out of West Hartford, which is currently looking for a new home after leavings its longtime site late last summer.

But Roaring Brook's history locally goes back to 1948 and it isn't going anywhere.

It was started, according to the center, by Canton resident Una Storrs Riddle and it started out as the "Canton Children's Nature Museum."

By 1964, the nearby 100-acre Werner Farm was bequeathed to the state, which made it available to the museum for expansion.

In 1966, the center built a new building for added exhibit space and, by 1973, the nature center's affiliation with The Children's Museum became official.

Nowadays, Roaring Brook is a perfect place to spend both a sunny, snowy, rainy, cold or warm day, as there's literally something for the whole family to enjoy — indoors and out.

But, this is more than just a Canton thing. Roaring Brook is a family destination statewide, with just about any visitor coming away better informed about where they live than before.

Roaring Brook Nature Center's hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. The center's trails, however, are open every day from dawn to dusk.

Daily admission is $8 for adults; $7 for seniors 62 and over; and $6 for children. The center offers membership opportunities starting at $125 a year allowing for free, unlimited access on an annual basis for families.

For more information on the Roaring Brook Nature Center, click on this link.

For the Roaring Brook Nature Center's Facebook page, click on this link.