Cotton Hollow Has Reopened With New Visitor Safety Regulations

From the Town of Glastonbury:

August 27, 2020

Cotton Hollow Preserve is now open to Glastonbury residents and their guests from sunrise to sunset for quiet enjoyment and observing natural features and wildlife. The Town’s overall goal is to make this site available for passive recreation, such as hiking and fishing, while maintaining the Preserve in a natural and undisturbed state.

Glastonbury residents and their guests may walk-in to the Preserve free of charge, however, patrons must show proof of residency to the Park Ranger on duty upon entrance. During fishing season, which begins the third Saturday of April and continues through, and including, June 15, the Preserve may also be used by non-residents for fishing purposes only.

Parking - A parking pass is now REQUIRED for use of the parking area immediately adjacent to the entrance to the Preserve. Glastonbury residents can purchase a daily pass for $5.00/vehicle by visiting https://webtrac.glastonbury-ct.gov/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsplash.html?wbp=1. Residents can pay online and print the pass to display in the dashboard. Proof of residency is required and will be verified. Passes may also be picked up Monday through Friday, from 8:00 to 4:30 pm, at the Glastonbury Parks and Recreation Department located at 2143 Main Street. Upon arrival, please call (860) 652-7679 (then press 5) and a staff member will come out to greet you and provide your daily pass. Masks/face coverings are required while interacting with Town staff members.

Parking at Cotton Hollow Preserve is limited to the upper gravel parking lot at 500 Hopewell Road only. There are approximately 23 spaces available on a first come, first served basis. Parking pass receipts should be printed and placed visibly on the dashboard of the vehicle. Please note, the pass is only valid on the date indicated on the pass. There is no guarantee that parking spaces will be available, and no refunds will be given if the lot is full at the time of your visit.

The entrance to Cotton Hollow Preserve on Main Street (Route 17), is accessible by walk-in only. There is no parking on-site. Police take notice and vehicles who do not comply will be ticketed/towed.

To ensure an enjoyable visit while protecting the Preserve’s natural state, the following regulations have been adopted for all visitors.

The following activities are NOT permitted:

• Picnicking, cookouts, and drinking of alcoholic beverages
• Vehicles, camping, and burning of open fires
• Carry-in items– e.g. backpacks, coolers, radios
• Swimming, diving or jumping off of cliffs, rocks and/or trees. (Prohibited for citizen safety.)
• Acts causing injury to plants or wildlife
• Littering – all items, including pet waste, must be removed before leaving the Preserve.
• Pets may not roam freely and must be leashed or tethered at all times.
• Smoking and/or any substance use of any kind is not permitted.

The Preserve is a natural environment and conditions may change without notice including, but not limited to, steep slopes, slippery conditions, ROCKY CLIFFS and challenging terrain. Visitors should be aware of their capabilities as it relates to these conditions. Your cooperation will help us to protect the Preserve’s natural beauty.

This press release was produced by the Town of Glastonbury. The views expressed are the author's own.