Shoreline Greenway Trail: D.C. Moore & Farm River State Park

The Shoreline Greenway Trail in East Haven is approximately 1.2 miles in length. Trails here provide generally easy and accessible as the terrain allows, with some small hills. D.C. Moore and Farm River State Park sections are hard packed with crushed stone. D.C. Moore section is handicapped accessible. The Farm River State Park section is for hiking because there are two steep inclines in this section.

Starting at the D.C. Moore School off Elliott Street, bear right and hike southwest to see a panoramic view of tidal wetlands at the Bradford Preserve. Several species of butterflies, and land-based and shorebirds have been seen here. The main granite-topped trail backtracks and turns right at a rock formation toward glacial outcroppings, mountain laurel, hickory and tulip trees. The main trail leads toward the East Haven Trailhead parking area.

Starting at the parking area and heading across Mansfield Grove Road, and east on Pevetty Drive leads to the beginning of the walking trail in Farm River State Park. Here, the trail offers views of nesting ospreys, caves and spectacular water views. The trail terminus is at Short Beach Road/Route 142.

East Haven Boy Scout Troop 401 preliminarily cleared one mile of the trail from D.C. Moore School through the park, with support from the East Haven Public Services Department. The completion of the trail was funded through a CT DEEP Recreational Trails grant. 

The Shoreline Greenway Trail is a 25-mile cycling and pedestrian trail being developed through five towns from Lighthouse Point in New Haven to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. This trail is being pieced together by a volunteer-based organization without an existing right-of-way such as an abandoned rail line. Nearly 6 miles are complete and usable in East Haven, Branford, Madison and soon in Guilford. New sections are added as funding and landowner approvals are obtained.