OPEN SPACE

Open Space is a term that we hear quite often and is very much in the news these days. Open space is a broad term for undeveloped land which can include areas of natural, historic, ecological, and economic value. The question often arises as to why we should protect open space, and the answer has been found in communities across the nation. By preserving open space, we can preserve community character, protect water resources which may be needed in the future for drinking, enhance the community and make it more attractive, protect habitats which in turn preserves biodiversity, provide areas for passive recreation, and keep property taxes down. It's obvious that the benefits of protecting land are far reaching and significant.

College Farms

Acreage:        5.43
Location:       29 Cambridge Drive
Parking:Public Access and on street parking available at the end of Yale Farms Lane cul-de-sac.
Trail:"Orange" blazed loop trail that is approximately 8/10ths of a mile.
Comments:Hikers are advised to wear sturdy footwear with good traction, as the trail can be steep at times.
Special Note:We ask that visitors respect the fragility of nature and remain on the path. No wheeled vehicles of any kind and pets are not allowed.
Background:Open space was acquired through a donation from College Farms LLC in 1999. Financial support for for the College Farms Trail was secured through the "new" Environment Venture Grant Program of the United Way of Greater Waterbury (November 2003). Trail opened November 27, 2004. Improvements made to trail on November 8, 2008 as part of an Eagle Scout Project by Michael Bohuski of Boy Scout Troop 258. Improvements made during the summer of 2010 by Girl Scout Troop 60266. The Troop accomplished the seasonal work of reblazing the trail, picking up litter, clearing the overgrown brush at the trailhead, and removal of some invasive plants. A new layer of woodchips were spread at the trailhead and the existing footbridge was expanded. Woodchips were donated by Ed the Treeman, LLC. Lumber and hardware was donated by Silktown Roofing.The Troop logged in many hours that helped them earn their Bronze Award. Eagle Scout Project completed by Dan Leclerc at College Farms hiking trail. On November 29, 2014 Dan organized and directed a work crew who replaced an older existing boardwalk, made repairs to the kiosk and completed general trail maintenance Dan completed his work on December 5, 2014 by adding gravel and fixing the broken plexiglass on the kiosk.
Features:The trail takes visitors on a unique and slightly challenging hike through a mature forest with many interesting landforms and vegetation types. This property has an Vernal (or spring pools) which is a rare, and fragile ecosystem. It is important for sustaining many threatened or endangered animal species. 
Comments:Provides protected open space in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

Kathan Woods

 Kathan Woods nature preserve is made up of two parcels of donated land for a total of 82.1 acres.

Acreage Parcel #1:        17.32
Location:       127R Matthew Street
Parking:None at this time.
Trail:"Blue Trail" loop
Comments:Access is limited by permit or permission only from the adjacent landowners, PLT, RWA.
Special Note:Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Owners are also expected to clean up dog waste. Please be respectful of your fellow hikers. We ask that visitors respect the fragility of nature and remain on the path. No wheeled vehicles of any kind are allowed.
Background:Open space was acquired through a donation from Boardman W. Kathan on December 29, 1998. Language from the deed (special considerations, restrictions): 1. Open space remains preserved  in its natural state and serves as a wildlife preserve. 2. The loop trail of the Quinnipiac Trail must be maintained by the PLT.
Features:Natural woodland settings containing stone walls with restored and well marked loop trail of the Quinnipiac "Blue Trail" system.
Comments:The Quinnipiac Blue Trail was established in 1929. This section was abandoned but is still identified and maintained by PLT.
Special Note:A 25ft right of way off Matthew Street has also been set aside to the property & will be developed as a foot trail at a later date. 

Acreage Parcel #2:       64.8
Location:      Boardman Drive cul-de-sac
Parking:Boardman Drive cul-de-sac
Trail:Yellow "Old Log Road" trail that connects to "Blue Trail" loop.
Special Note:Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Owners are also expected to clean up dog waste. Please be respectful of your fellow hikers. We ask that visitors respect the fragility of nature and remain on the path. No wheeled vehicles of any kind are allowed.
Background:On May 23,2012,Prospect Land Trust (PLT) Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept a 64.8 acre parcel of land that was generously donated by Boardman W. Kathan. To date, this is the largest single donation of land acquired by the PLT. What makes this a most momentous occasion is that the property connects to the existing PLT holding of 17.3 acres (donated by Mr. Kathan on December 29,1998) for a total of 82.1 acres of continuous space  known as "Kathan Woods" nature preserve.
Features:Natural woodland settings containing historic old logging roads (blazed "Yellow" trail) used by teamsters for mid-19th century Waterbury brass mills, stone walls and an abandoned early town road that integrates with the restored and well marked loop trail of the Quinnipiac "Blue Trail" system with "Bluff Head". Hike is approx. 3 miles.
Comments:The Quinnipiac Blue Trail was established in 1929. This section was abandoned but is still identified and maintained by PLT.
Special Note:On June 3,2012 a Grand Opening Ceremony/Trails Day Hike was held to celebrated the new property donation, explore the extended trail system, and to honor the memory of Frank "Bud" Doyle by embracing the love that he had for the great outdoors with the installation of a kiosk, trail head sign and a memorial bench all made possible with memorial donations made to PLT in his name. A second bench was also installed on the "Bluff Head" to honor the memory of Frank "Bud" Doyle.
High School Senior Project completed Matt Spofford (Woodland High School) designed and installed a bridge over a brook located on the Yellow Trail at the Kathan Woods trail system. A ribbon cutting and dedication of the bridge in the memory of Joyce Kathan (The Joyce C. Kathan Memorial Bridge) took place on October 26, 2014 as part of Prospect Land Trust’s 21st Annual Fall Hike.

 

Luke Street Wetlands

Acreage:        31.62
Location:       20R Luke Street
Parking:None at this time.
Trail:No
Comments:No public access at this time.
Special Note:Monitoring of property can only be done during deep freeze and is accessed by right of way.
Background:Donated by Capanna - Cocchiola
Features:Property is valued for protection of its water resources (drains to Ten Mile River) and native habitat (forested wetland).

Raudis Farm

Acreage:         6.50
Location:        38R Clark Hill Road
Parking:None at this time.
Trail:No
Comments:It is our hope that one day it will be open for public enjoyment.
Special Note:No public access at this time.
Background:Open space was acquired through donation from Florence A. Bakutis in 2000.
Features:Various habitats, mixed hardwood forest, wetlands and seasonal pools are represented within its boundaries. Provides further protection for important riparian habitat and wetland areas including a nearby pond.
Provides protected open space in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Parcel straddles the Algonquin gas pipeline.

Royal Crest Drive

Acreage:         8.90
Location:        89 Royal Crest Drive
Parking:None at this time.
Trail:No trail, limited potential for future access.
Background:Open space was acquired through a conveyance from Mark Guastaferri.
Features:Property is valued for protection of its water resources (drains to Ten Mile River) and native habitat (forested wetland).

Summit Heights

Acreage:         3.65
Location:        109 Rosemary Road
Parking:Public access and on street parking available at the end of Rosemary Rd.
Trail: Easy walking "Orange" blazed loop trail.
Special Note:Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Owners are also expected to clean up dog waste. Please be respectful of your fellow hikers. We ask that visitors respect the fragility of nature and remain on the path. No wheeled vehicles of any kind are allowed.
Background:Open space was acquired through a conveyance from Robert and Mark Capanna. Trail was created by Christine "Tina" Barry as a Girl Scout Gold Award project. Grand opening was held October 11, 2008. Eagle Scout Project completed by Nick Coehlo July/August 2014. In July Nick and his family helped a PLT volunteer work crew clear a considerable amount of overgrowth from the trail. At the August Board meeting Nick presented his proposal for further improvements with the primary objective of making the trail more visible and appealing to passerby, and thereby increase its utilization. Nicks project consisted of installing a split rail fence, weed mat, mulch and trail improvements. An informational kiosk was also built and installed. 
Features:Clearly marked loop trail through natural woodlands, wetland area. The trail has stepping stone paths, sitting areas (benches) and is ideal for beginners of all ages.
This property may also provide future connections to other open space parcels on adjacent lands owned by the Town of Prospect.

Nettleton Property - conservation easement

Acreage:         4.78
Location:         76 Mountain Road
Parking:public access parking available from Mt.Sanford State Forest location off Rte 42 on the Prospect/Cheshire line
Trail:The Quinnipiac "Blue Trail" is well marked and enters and exits the parcel on the east side.
Special Note:We ask that visitors respect the fragility of nature. This area is ecologically interesting but vulnerable to overuse.
Background:Town of Prospect's first Open Space purchase, acquired in June 2008. Restrictions placed on the property require that the land be left as open space. Members of the Prospect Land Trust will be the stewards of the property. This parcel is bordered by the Naug. State Forest to the south, the Cheshire Land Trust to the east and the South Central Regional Water Authority to the west.
Features: Mature woodland, in a scenic ravine.