Trails Discovery Day at Selleck's & Dunlap Woods

On Sunday, May 19th, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, the trails of Dunlap and

Selleck’s Woods will be transformed into a magical place of exploration and

discovery. The popular Trails Discovery Day has returned with a broad array of

activities for families and individuals of all ages interested in having fun in the

woods while learning about flora, fauna and the environment.

A joint effort of the Friends of Selleck’s Woods, the Darien Land Trust and Darien

Parks & Rec, Trails Discovery Day is free and open to the public. It will be set up

at the end of Parkland Drive with a reception area and plenty of parking. Ringside

Grill Food Truck will be on location selling hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. Trail

maps highlighting various points of interest will be available to help visitors young

and old learn about one of Darien’s best-kept secrets.

An Adventureland Park, created especially for Trails Discovery Day, will allow

young children to test their “forest skills” with an array of supervised challenges,

including a stump and log walk, rope bridge, zipline and archery. As they explore,

they will discover a miniature village of gnome and fairy houses made from

natural materials. Older children will enjoy pond fishing, rock-skipping and

encounters with amphibians at the vernal pond as well as mysterious “creatures

of the lake” further down the trail.

As kids of all ages complete treasure hunts, activities and games along the trails,

they will learn which types of birds, fish and furry creatures make their home

amid the trees and streams. Chris Filmer, a trustee of the Darien Land Trust who

pioneered the Friends of Selleck’s Woods, will be on hand to explain the seven

distinct ecosystems that exist in the area.

“The Woods serve an important role in maintaining local wildlife populations by

providing critical sanctuary for our songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and small

mammals,” says Filmer. “It’s critical that we teach the next generation about the

importance of conservation and we must do so in a way that inspires their sense

of curiosity and wonder.”

Naturalists from the Darien Nature Center, Greenwich Audubon and Pollinator

Pathway will also be on hand to share information and answer questions as

visitors make their way along the well-marked and well-maintained trails.

“This is going to be an exciting day for families to discover the wonders of these

woods,” says Elizabeth Harmon, Executive Director of the Darien Land Trust.

“We welcome all to enjoy our educational programs, which explain the value and

benefits of caring for our open space, in keeping with the mission of the Darien Land Trust to

permanently preserve and protect open space in Darien.”