Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve

Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve
Connecticut State Park
Country  United States
State  Connecticut
County Fairfield
Town Ridgefield
Elevation 958 ft (292 m) [1]
Coordinates 41°19′30″N 73°30′00″W / 41.32500°N 73.50000°W / 41.32500; -73.50000Coordinates: 41°19′30″N 73°30′00″W / 41.32500°N 73.50000°W / 41.32500; -73.50000 [1]
Area 305 acres (123 ha) [2]
Bequest 1956 [3]
Management Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Location in Connecticut
Website: Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve

Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve (also called Pierrepont State Park) is a Connecticut state park located in the town of Ridgefield offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating.

History

General Wooster led his troops down Old Barlow Mountain Road during the Revolutionary War. John Barlow's blacksmith shop was located here. An old foundation of the Scott House dating from the 1720s can be seen at the boat launch area. The stone walls and enclosures in the park were built by the Scott family when they farmed the land.[4] Seth Low Pierrepont, a millionaire and former diplomat, who had purchased the land from the Scott family in the 1930s, gave the estate to the Connecticut State Park and Forest Commission upon his death in 1956.[3]

Trails and activities

Woods along the white trail nearing sunset

The park has five different blazed trails, including one around the south end of Lake Naraneka (Pierrepont Pond). The park's main trail is the white trail, which goes along Pierrepont Lake from the parking lot, ascends to the highest point in the park, and then descends to a minor entrance. Hiking is easy around the lake, but moderate, with steep sections everywhere else. The top of Barlow Mountain offers views of Pierrepont Lake, Redding hills, and on rare occasions, Long Island Sound.[5]

Boating is permitted in Lake Naraneka, though motorboats are not allowed. No campfires or camping are accepted in the park, but cooking in grills is permitted. Fishing is permitted according to regulations of the State of Connecticut Board of Fisheries and Game.

References

  1. 1 2 "Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ↑ Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee (January 23, 2014). "State Parks and Forests: Funding" (PDF). Staff Findings and Recommendations. Connecticut General Assembly. p. A-3. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  4. ↑ Ridgefield Walk Book: Expanded & Revised (1997 ed.).
  5. ↑ "Catalog of Ridgefield Open Spaces: Pierrepont State Park". Town of Ridgefield. Retrieved April 15, 2014.


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