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 21^st Annual Fall Hike.