Level 1: Sightseeing Turtle

Shelton's 2020 "Out and About Challenge" 

1. Riverview Park: Derby-Shelton Dam overlook: It's possible to drive right up to this location using the park road, or you can walk the park roads and the Bluff Walk (a short hiking trail blazed white). For your photo, either the Derby-Shelton Dam or the "Boy with Fish" statue should be in the background.
   
   Riverview Park is Shelton's first park, serving the people who lived in downtown Shelton in the late 1800's and worked in the factories. For gps directions, use #723 Howe Avenue to access the south end of the park drive. Follow the drive to the overlook.
   
   
2. Shelton Canal and Locks: Here's an overlooked historical gem. Take Canal Street north all the way to the very end. For GPS use #300 Canal Street. If you are coming from Veteran's Memorial Park aka "the Slab", follow Canal Street past Bridge Street, the Avalon apartments and just keep driving past all the old buildings until there is a chain link fence directly across the road. There are two parking spaces just before this fence. [Update: Due to a recent structure fire, you may not be able to drive all the way to the end of Canal Street. Drive as far north as you can, park, and walk the rest of the way to the end]. 
   
   Walk around the fence (there is a gap) and the canal and locks will be right there.  This area is owned by the hydroelectric company but open to the public under both their federal license and a public recreation easement held by the City. Walk across the bridge, which goes over the highest lock. The locks no longer function and are in decay, but back in the late 1800s, boats were allowed to travel around the Derby-Shelton dam. The canal wasn't built for boats, but rather to power all the big mills in downtown Shelton (most of the canal has been filled in).
   
   Turn right to follow some impressive stone steps down the slope alongside the locks. Take your avatar photo anywhere along the canal and locks.  When you're done, you have the option of walking down the drive along the river to the base of the dam. This is a popular fishing location. Striped bass swim up the river from Long Island Sound and stack up at the dam.
   
   
3. The Falls at Indian Well: Due to reconstruction of the Indian Hole bridge, the Falls are getting fewer visitors than normal. To get there, drive down Indian Well Road 0.3 miles from the junction with Route 100 (Leavenworth Road) to the intersection of a road signed "To the Maples."
   
   There are two options for parking. The main lot located at that intersection is being used by the construction company working on the bridge, but is still open to the public. Alternatively, you can park at the off-season parking lot nearby. Take a right onto the road signed "To the Maples" and continue 400 feet to the paved pull-off  just before the train tracks. Note: Do not try to access the falls from the beach area during bridge construction. You might not be able to get across the brook.
   
   After parking, cross the road at the temporary traffic light and head up the wide path with the brook on your right. Take a good look at the Indian Hole bridge behind you. It was a WPA project in the 1930s during the Great Depression. After 0.1 mile, the falls will be before you. The "well" at the bottom was reportedly very deep, but partly filled in with rock. Young people still (illegally) jump off the rocks into the well. By the way, locals typically get the name of the park wrong by calling it Indian Wells. There is no "s" at the end "well."
   
   
4. Veteran’s Park: War Memorial Monuments.  There are some parking pull-offs along Canal Street at the junction with Cornell Street downtown. The park was formerly referred to as "the Slab" and is where the annual fireworks are held.  The Farmer's Market building and the pavilion are nearby. Walk down the sidewalk that is flanked by two granite posts, heading towards the Housatonic River. The black monuments will be directly ahead.
   
   
5. Rec Path: Silent Waters Overlook. This is one of our more crowded sites, so please try to avoid the area during peak times.  Parking for this section of the Rec Path is located #676 Constitution Blvd North, just past the Intermediate School. There's a small parking lot and a sign kiosk for the trail. The Rec Path is handicapped accessible. Follow the wide gravel path past the kiosk for 0.4 mile to a bridge overlooking Silent Waters. (If you need a shorter walk, park at the Canoe Launch sign across from the school, take the path into the woods and turn left on the Rec Path. The overlook is in 0.1 mile).
   
   Much of the walk is along the top of an old dam built in the late 1800s to supply water needed to fight fires in the mills downtown. The water had to be up the hill from the city to create strong water pressure for fighting fires. Pine Lake and Hope Lake were all part of this system. The reservoir called Silent Waters was mostly drained decades ago, although beaver have recently raised levels.
   
   
6. Rec Path: Hope Lake bench at Paugussett Junction. This is another of the busier sites, so please avoid this area during peak times during the Covid Pandemic. Park at the Dog Park lot (#316 Nells Rock Road). If the parking looks busy, visit another site on the list and come back when fewer people are out. After parking, walk back towards Nells Rock Road until you see the wide gravel path on your right going up the hill. Follow the Rec Path up the hill 0.16 mile until you arrive at a bench near the Hope Lake dam with seasonal views. Take your photo either here or take the blue trail down to the water's edge.
   
   
7. Eklund Wildflower Garden: Eklund Garden is located at #10 Oak Valley Road. There's a small parking lot and a sign for the garden on a tree. Walk up the path and enter the fenced area through the gate (during the pandemic, bring something to open the gate with like a paper towel or gloves). The site once held a log cabin, in ground swimming pool, terraced garden, and several outbuildings, all built during the Great Depression. The rustic ruins are now home to a minimally maintained garden for plants indigenous to the Northeast. The plants are protected from deer by fencing.
   
   
8. Southbank Park: Pavilion overlooking Housatonic River. This little park is located at #610 River Road, 0.3 mile south of Rocky Rest Road. There's a parking lot, but no sign alerting passerbys to the park's presence. You'll know you're at the right spot if you can see water from the road and the shell of an old cinder block garage that serves as a pavilion of sorts. The park is less than two acres, but it provides precious river access for fishing or launching a kayak. During hot summer weekends, the parking lot can get packed, but during off-season it's a relaxing place to stroll down to the edge of the river and watch the boats. You might spot a bald eagle. Take your photo up at the pavilion.
    
9. Gristmill Trail: Mill dam near trailhead.  This spot on the Far Mill River is a favorite of trout fishermen. Look for a pulloff next to a sign kiosk at #170 Mill Street. Gristmill Trail is blazed white, and mostly follows the shores of the scenic Far Mill River, but you don't need to walk down the trail more than 150 feet to arrive at the old mill dam. A bench overlooks the dam. The Far Mill River got its name from early settlers in Stratford back when there were two major brooks off of the Housatonic River that were lined with mills. One became known as the Mill River, and the other became known as the Far Mill River, because it was the one farther from the Stratford town center. This particular dam may have powered a mill used to grind grain, known as a gristmill.
   
   
10. Bushinsky Arboretum: Bench overlooking Pond. This property is located near Route 8 Exit 11 near the Trumbull border. The address is #43 Shelton Road (Bridgeport Avenue changes its name to Shelton Road at the Trumbull line). From Bridgeport Avenue near Stop & Shop, drive south on Bridgeport Ave, continue straight through the big intersection with Huntington Street (most people will be turning left to get on Route 8), and immediately after the intersection turn right into the parking area for the Land Trust's Bushinsky property. There will be a sign for the property. 
    
    The property was donated to the Land Trust. The former house was removed, but extensive landscaping remains, including a pond, garden beds, and benches. Take your photo at one of the benches, and explore the grounds. A short unmarked trail loops through the woods. You can hear the hum of Route 8 nearby, but inside it's peaceful in this little preserve.  The Shelton Conservation Land Trust is a private organization looking for community support.