Bradley Park

Originally Belden Hill Park, this park was renamed after Leonard J. Bradley, an outstanding Wilton citizen who devoted his energies to the study of the natural world.

Description

Bradley Park was acquired by the Town of Wilton in 1968 and 1969 and remains in a natural state with hiking trails and a short section of an equestrian trail.

A major feature of Bradley Park is the Boardwalk Trail which takes visitors to the heart of a red maple swamp. A variety of ferns and shrubs including tall cinnamon fern, fragrant sweet pepperbush and showy swamp azalea can be readily observed.

Other trails pass through woodland communities ranging from swampland to a dry ridge top. The Arboretum Trail is the longest and roughly follows the perimeter of the park. From the Oak Ledge Lane entrance, the trail heads westward. Following the topography, the trail rises sharply up and then quickly descends down. Oaks dominate the uplands whereas more moisture tolerant species such as maples and tulip poplar occur in the lowland areas.

As the Orange Trail approaches the western boundary of the park, it turns and heads north. The northwest portion of the park supported a former red pine plantation. The red pine, planted south of its natural range, makes this an interesting area. Susceptible to red pine scale, the pines experienced an infestation resulting in complete mortality of the planted pines. A new forest, primarily sugar maples, has established itself among the dead pines.

Leaving the red pine area, the trail leads in an easterly direction along the northern end of the park. Impressive rock ledges may be seen throughout the mixed hardwood forest. The trail crosses a small, stream the outlet for the boardwalk trail wetlands swamp. Shortly after this crossing the trail bends, heads southward and eventually joins the entrance trail. Shorter loops may also be made by using the Blue Cross Trail.