Sheep Farm offers a diverse habitat including rocky outcroppings and glacial erratics; bluestem meadows, various forest habitats, extensive wetlands and vernal pools, Fort Hill Brook, and two waterfalls. A portion of the ancient Avalonia Shield features high rocky ledges, ridge lines, and the steep slopes of a glacial drumlin, Fort Hill. Elevation change is about 100 feet.
The blue trail is the main trail through both Sheep Farm North and South. It follows the “Old Road” used by natives and others as a way down to the brook from Fort Hill and was used for hunting as the wild animals frequented this route to the water source. The red trail loops throughout the northern section, connecting to both blue and yellow trails. It follows a stream (nice cascading waterfalls) and passes an old grist mill. The yellow trail runs parallel and connects to the blue trail on various spots.
Wooded swamps and seeps provide storm water filtration and flood control for vulnerable areas downstream. They also provide overland and underground water flow to the Groton Utility terminal reservoir system and drinking water wells. Fort Hill Brook flows into Mumford Cove and Long Island Sound. There are two unique stone vernal pools. The entire site provides upland habitat, critical to the survival of the vernal pool species from both sides of the property boundaries.
Sheep Farm South is a keystone greenway property, linking the 63-acre Sheep Farm North to the 6-mile X-Town Trail and to contiguous protected lands beyond including Groton Open Space Association (GOSA)’s Merritt Family Forest, Groton’s Beebe Pond Park, Avalonia’s Town’s End, Groton’s Mortimer Wright Nature Preserve, and Connecticut’s Haley Farm State Park and Bluff Point State Park.
Established in 1967, Groton Open Space Association (GOSA) protects and preserves our local forests, streams, and wildlife by acquiring, improving, and maintaining open space properties. These spaces are made available to the community for passive recreation, education, and to foster an appreciation of nature. Sheep Farm North was acquired by GOSA in 2010, Sheep Farm South in 2021, funded by member donations, community clubs, local organizations, businesses, local and national foundations, as well as grants from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program, the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, and a bridge loan from the Conservation Fund.
Sheep Farm had been in continuous use as a farm since the 18th century and well into the 1990’s. Colonial stonewalls still mark the boundaries found on a 1754 deed. Many of the early 18th-century farm features are well preserved including a grist mill dam, the mills’ water control foundation, a second mill site, and water controlled channel through a narrow rock gorge.
There is parking for 10-15 cars off Hazelnut Hill Road. From I-95, take Exit 88 and turn south onto North Road/Route 117. Turn left onto Hazelnut Hill Road. Pass the Pequot Health Center and after the sharp left curve, the park entrance will be on the right.
There is only shoulder parking on Flanders Road just north of the intersection with Route 1.
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