The northern 9.1 acres of Eagleville Preserve is owned by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). East of the wooded preserve is a 10-acre agricultural field that has been leased to a local farmer.
Eagleville Preserve has a variety of habitats including streams, forested paths, mowed utility corridors, rich wetland systems and a working agricultural field. The trail by the old mill canal contains remnants of Eagleville Mill, originally powered by water and to produce Cotton fabric from 1814 to 1931 then shoe lasts until 1950, when the mill was demolished.
The old mill site contains non-native invasive species. The previously disturbed and moist soil encourages abundant growth of bittersweet, multiflora rose, winged euonymus, barberry, and garlic mustard that have choked out native trees and shrubs. Further on the trail, there is a change in the understory vegetation. Here, in the dry, shady woods native plants are more successful.
The trail along the Willimantic River also parallels a working agricultural field (please keep off). Additionally this trail passes a gray dogwood swamp, crosses a utility corridor, and provides views of a button bush swamp.
Canoeing and kayaking is permitted at the Eagleville Dam, managed by CT DEEP. Learn more about the Willimantic River, a state designated Greenway and National Recreational Trail by downloading the Willimantic River Water Trail Paddle Guide. Kayak and standup paddle boards are available for rent at the Mansfield Community Center located at 10 South Eagleville Road. For more information visit the Mansfield Community Center website or call 860-429-3015 x0.
For more information, see Mansfield’s Parks Rules and Regulations.
Go west on Route 275 for 0.3 miles; parking is on right at Eagleville Dam before the bridge.
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