Boy Scouts Repair Trails in the Farmington Memorial Town Forest

Farmington Boy Scout Troop 68 kicked off the New Year with a trail restoration project at the Farmington Memorial Town Forest. On Monday, January 2nd scouts and adults from Troop 68 with the help of some Webelo Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 68 spent the day cutting the branches and trees that had fallen on the trails during the October snow storm. The Forest had become unusable due to the number of trees and limbs blocking the trails. The limbs were cut and moved off the trails and dangerous leaning trees were removed. About 80% of the trails are now passable. The scouts plan to go back in the spring and complete the trail work as well as rebuild the damaged Memorial.

The Farmington Memorial Town Forest was established in 1926 as a memorial to the men and women who served in the First World War. The forest consists of 266 acres between Red Oak Hill Road and Plainville Ave (RT 177). The Forest is owned by the Town of Farmington and is open to passive uses such as hiking and bird watching, with no hunting, fires or vehicles allowed.

Troop 68 is actively involved in community service, an integral part of the Boy Scout program. Over the last few years Troop 68 has participated in many service projects that benefit Farmington and the local community.   

The Farmington Food Pantry, the Stanley Whitman House, Hillstead Museum, St James Church, Shade Swamp Sanctuary, the UVIA, The Burlington Fish Hatchery, The Farmington Historical Society, The New Britain Art Museum, The Extreme Makeover Home Edition Food Drive, Jarret’s Castle, The Farmington Land Trust, Noah Wallace School, Irving Robbins School, Farmington Clean Up Day, The Exchange Club of Farmington and Rebuilding Together Hartford are some of the projects and organizations that have benefited from the Troops work.

Founded in 1919 Troop 68 is Farmington’s oldest Boy Scout Troop. Boys ages 12 through 17 interested in the fun, adventure and service opportunities offered by Scouting can contact Troop 68 for more information through the troop’s Web site at troop68farmington.scoutlander.com.

Submitted by Ted Sanford.