Plenty Of Winter Activities Available In And Near Mansfield

MANSFIELD, CT — Winter doesn't slow down the fun for residents of Mansfield.

There's plenty of hiking and sledding and skiing and snowboarding activities in and within a reasonable distance from Mansfield.

First off, the Mansfield Community Center offers swimming.

Skating is offered at the Bolton Ice Palace. Temporary outdoor rinks are offered in at Crandall Park in Tolland and Mansfield Parks and Recreation will offer outdoor pond skating at Merrow Meadow Park, weather permitting. The Town of Stafford maintains a natural, outdoor public skating rink during the winter months, weather permitting. The Bruce Dutton Memorial Rink rink is free to use and is routinely maintained and inspected. An open/closed sign posted at the Monson Road/Route 32 entry gate indicates when the rink is available for use—be sure to check before you skate!

Notable sledding areas in the area include:

• Horsebarn Hill, Storrs
• Henry Park, Vernon (lighted)
• Vernon Center Middle School
• Hyde Park, Stafford

Connecticut has plenty of ski areas to choose from:

• Mohawk Mountain, 46 Great Hollow Road, Cornwall
• Mount Southington, 396 Mount Vernon Road, Plantsville
• Powder Ridge, 99 Powder Hill Road, Middlefield
• Ski Sundown, 126 Ratlum Road, New Hartford

Miles and miles of winter hiking and Nordic skiing are available on trails maintained municipally, and in state parks and forests and land trust-owner trails in eastern Connecticut. There is an extensive rail trail system from Vernon's Rails to Trails system to Bolton Notch to the Airline Trail.