Trails Day 2014 - Part 1

We had great weather for National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6th - clear, sunny, warm.  The Shelton Trails Committee & CFPA were hosting 2 local hikes; the 10:30 walk on the RecPath started at Pine Lake, and the 1:00 Hike of the Paugussett Trail started at Shelton Intermediate School.

Pine Lake on Rt. 108 was picturesque with a number of fishermen and other park users exploring the RecPath at the beginning of the hike.

Luis, Sherri & Bill above were enjoying a chat prior to the start. 

Standing in for the mayor (not to worry...it was only for this event!), Terry skillfully read the Mayor's Proclamation regarding Shelton Trails Day. We then moved off quickly into the pine-scented pathway on the back side of the lake.

We had a lower than usual turn-out for Trails Day - about a dozen walkers.  But the public is defiantly enjoying the RecPath more; we passed a number of bikers, runners, dog walkers, and others out taking advantage of the fine weather Saturday morning.  We might have worked ourselves out of a job trying to sell Shelton's Open Spaces.

Here's some families out with younger kids and strollers out exploring the RecPath near the ballfields by the High School.  Having the RecPath and ballfields right next to each other can work well for families. 

There were several spots where shrubs, such as this Maple-leafed viburnum were in peak bloom.

 

 

Terry and Bill bring up the rear, protecting the rest of us from potential dangers, as in grizzlies and marauding chipmunks.

 

The mountain laurel were just starting to blossom.  There were a number of buds on some shrubs that will start to pop in the next week.

The areas along the power lines near Oak Valley Road were in a more colorful condition due to all the sun.

All in all we had a fine time, and no hikers were lost to bears, mountain lions, or heat stroke.  The portion of the RecPath along Basil Brook looked pretty, the hayfield at Lane St. looked ripe for mowing, and Huntington Street Cafe had plenty of cold beverages and hearty sandwiches at the end of the trail.  I can hardly wait to see the other photos of the hikes.  Another successful Trails Day.