Hot Dogs And Cool, Cool River Walks

Clean, cool water, oh how we humans take it for granted.

On hot summer days, four-legged and two-legged beings head for the shade and water in the form of rivers, streams, ponds and pools.

The Connecticut River is New England's longest river, a tidal highway of much history and scenic beauty.Now there's even more ways to re-connect with the river as the first sections of the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway, a 3.7 mile segment in Springfield and a 1.7 mile segment in Agawam, Massachusetts, are open to the public. (Be sure to carry plenty of clean water, don't let dogs drink river water if possible.)



Visitors can stroll near the banks of the Connecticut River, on trails that include publicly-owned municipal flood control land.

Trail Access and Parking

Visitors may park under I-91 near the Riverfront Park entrance at West Columbus Avenue and State Street. Find additional entrances to the Springfield portion of the River Walk & Bikeway at West Columbus Ave. just north of the South End Bridge, via the pedestrian bridge at the Basketball Hall of Fame, and Riverfront Park on West Columbus Ave. & State St. Trail maps are available for more locations for public access to the trail and parking.

Ocean Healing, Walk & Waves

The coastline of Connecticut faces Long Island Sound. There's miles and miles to walk in nearby Rhode Island, too, with views of the Atlantic Ocean and clean (less rocky) sand at your feet.

Then there is all that water to enjoy by boat, if so desired.

Connecticut operates more than 100 public boat launch areas to give access to lakes, streams, and Long Island Sound.

A complete listing of boat launch locations, including areas with carry-in access, is listed in the Connecticut Boater's Guide.

For a printed copy, contact the DEP Boating Division at (860) 434-8638, or e-mail dep.boating.division@po.state.ct.us.

Walk Or Ride Or Walk After Work Time

Cooling horses off after a good work out is just what needs to be done. These walkers attended the spring plow event at UConn at Storrs.

To ride or to walk and think takes space and land.

Open space can sometimes be hard to find.

A Wine Festival benefit for the Joshua's Trust, one of the oldest local conservation and historic trusts in Connecticut
will be held Friday, May 15, 5 to 7 p.m. in Mansfield. Cost is $35 and the event is co-sponsored by Bombadil's Spirit Shop. For more information, e-mail joshuastrust@snet.net.

Joshua's Trust now owns, or protects by easement, almost 4,000 acres of land preserved, and is the fourth largest land trust in Connecticut.