The upper portion of the Merritt Family Forest includes a steep, rocky upland with a mature hardwood forest. Descendants claim the forest remained uncut since the family acquired the property in 1848.
The lower portion includes a meadow, and hosts a Tier 1 vernal pool and two Class A streams – Eccleston Brook and an intermittent tributary. Eccleston Brook flows into Palmer Cove, Fisher’s Island Sound, and Long Island Sound.
A 4-acre meadow was planted with native grasses and forbs at the site of a World War II era Community Victory Garden. A Colonial stone slab bridge crosses Eccleston Brook at the Fishtown Road entrance.
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.
The Merritt Family Forest was acquired by GOSA in May of 2008, funded by member donations, community clubs, local organizations, businesses, local and national foundations, and grants from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program. The State of Connecticut holds a conservation easement on the 75-acre property.
From I-95 take Exit 88 and go south on Route 117 towards Groton Center. Turn left onto Route 1 east towards Mystic for almost 2 miles. Turn right onto Fishtown Road. The trailhead is on the right across and a little north of the Rhonda Drive intersection.
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