Farmington Land Trust Stroll with Audubon Director Milan Bull

The Farmington Land Trust is pleased to begin a series of outdoor experiences called "A Stroll on the Land" for young and old. These outings will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month in May, June, July, and September.  The programs will run about an hour each and are free and open to the public.

The first "Stroll on the Land" is scheduled for Thursday, May 24 at 6 p.m. and will be led by renowned birder Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation for the Connecticut Audubon Society. We will walk the Land Trust’s Cowles Parcel, off Meadow Road and have the chance to see eagles, kestrels, rare ducks, and many small species.  Bring your binoculars and bird identification books! The trail is level and an easy stroll along a very beautiful part of the Farmington River. 

We will meet at the town’s boat put-in parking lot on Meadow Road by the small stone bridge which spans the Pequabuck.  The parking area is just off the road.  If parking is full another lot is available where the public garden spaces are located just up the street and an easy walk to the Cowles lot.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservation required. All ages are welcome. No pets please. In the event of rain, event will be cancelled.

History: The Cowles parcel, consisting of 3.4 acres, was donated to the Farmington Land Trust in 1974. For centuries, Farmington people drove their cows down to the river and into the fields for pasturage, bringing them back at evening for milking or keeping them in “summer quarters” for the season. One could cross by bridge, or ford the river near the gristmill to reach Indian Neck. Others would cross the old stone bridge over the Pequabuck to reach fields south of the river. The bridge, a classical span dating from 1835, was considered for demolition but spared in the 1970’s when a new span was built.  Today, the ancient bridge, the river, and the lovely Cowles parcel  to the west form a small and charming environment just right for dog walking, bird watching or cross-country skiing.

The land was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield Cowles. It had been purchased from the Root family, who were evidently successors to colonial-era Cowles family. It adjoins land originally granted to Farmington’s first minister Roger Newton and passed down through Hooker and Cowles families. The home of one of Farmington’s early Italian [Lenolese] immigrants stands adjacent to the ancient bed of the Farmington Canal a few yards to the east. The Pequabuck River wraps around the northern boundary beneath the ample Georgian mansion of playwright Winchell Smith.

The setting reflects many aspects of our history: early settlement, immigration, industry, dairying, our literary past, and 365 years of farming. It was probably a campsite of Compte de Rochambeau and his troops on their way through from Yorktown in 1781/82. The field is kept open by twice-a-year cuttings, avoiding nesting times of resident birds. The area positively reeks of history; one has only to amble along the Conklin Nature Trail look around and breathe the air! 

History courtesy of Farmington Land Trust Board Member Dr. Charles Leach.

The mission of the Farmington Land Trust is to protect open space in perpetuity through acquisition, stewardship, education and advocacy. Founded in 1971, the Farmington Land Trust, Inc. is a private, non-profit membership organization, tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of federal law.

Submitted by the Farmington Land Trust.