New Southbury Nature Preserve Opening With Trails, Wildlife Viewing Area

SOUTHBURY, CT — A new nature preserve featuring walking trails, wetland boardwalks and scenic countryside views will celebrate its grand opening in Southbury later this month.

The Southbury Land Trust will officially welcome visitors to Spring Hill Farm Preserve, a 31-acre former dairy farm at 453 Old Woodbury Road, on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The newly conserved property features a meadow overlooking Woodbury, a former farm pond, forested wetlands, streams and wildlife habitat.

According to the Southbury Land Trust, volunteers have worked to develop walking trails and construct wooden boardwalks, allowing visitors to explore the property's wetlands while minimizing environmental disturbance.

The improvements include approximately 50 feet of elevated boardwalk and 200 feet of lower wooden walkways across muddy terrain. The project has also included the development of a wildlife observation area overlooking the pond.

The property has a history dating back to its use as a dairy farm in the early 1900s. Farmers once used the site's naturally cool springs to help store milk before transporting it to Waterbury and surrounding communities.

The preserve also plays a role in protecting open space in the region. According to the land trust, the property connects its Sterling Woods Preserve with Woodbury's 245-acre Trolley Bed Preserve, helping establish a larger corridor of conserved land and wildlife habitat.

The land trust acquired the property following efforts by neighbors to protect it from development, with support from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program.

Grand Opening Celebration

The Oct. 24 celebration will feature hikes, a history station, scavenger hunts with prizes, children's games, cider and donuts, according to the Southbury Land Trust.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the preserve, located at 453 Old Woodbury Road.

Visitors should note that no on-site parking will be available during the celebration. Shuttle service will begin at 9:30 a.m. from the lower-level parking lot at Pomperaug High School.

For more information, visit the Southbury Land Trust website or its Facebook page.