Cross Lots is maintained as open field bordered by hedgerows, a vanishing habitat that was once common in Connecticut. The trails are a combination of packed dirt and mown grass. The entire preserve is bounded by stone walls facilitating easy navigation.
Because the understory is sparse much of the preserve is viewable from any point in its bounds. From the lowest point in the preserve to the highest is a generally gentle elevation change of about 70 feet. Cross Lots is best described as an open hilltop, wooded groves and rolling meadows along with finely-coursed stone walls topped with monolithic capstones.
Our preserve rules and dog policy can be found on the Essex Land Trust website.
The entrance to Cross Lots is located between two private residences, on 40 West Avenue Essex CT, diagonally across from the Essex Public Library. Granite pillars mark the entrance of the 150ft driveway ending in a gravel parking lot next to a barn.
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