Weston Answer Book – Recreation

What local parks are there? What do they offer?

Weston has three municipal parks. They all open at sunrise and close at dusk.

Bisceglie-Scribner Park on Newtown Turnpike has a picnic area with a pavilion and picnic benches; a half-mile, 22-station fitness trail; a swimming pond with lifeguards; a playground; and three Little League fields. Dogs are allowed on leashes on the trails only, not on the fields.

The 32-acre Morehouse Farm Park is also on Newtown Turnpike. It is an active recreation area with five fields for soccer, softball and baseball. It, too, has a picnic pavilion with tables, and there is plenty of parking. No dogs allowed.

Keene Park is on River Road. This is a more natural park with a path to the Saugatuck River and a sandy area. There is a toddler playground for preschool age children and a small parking area.

Where is the parks and recreation department?

The offices are in Jarvis House on the corner of Weston and Norfield roads. The parks and recreation director is Dave Ungar. Office hours are 9 to 4:30. The number is 222-2655.

The recreation department publishes information on seasonal programs, which it also maintains on its Web site. Go to www.westonct.gov and click on Municipal Departments, then Parks & Recreation.

Are there any nature preserves?

There are quite a few.

The largest is the Devil’s Den Preserve (966-9577), which is in Weston and Redding. A 20-mile trail system winds through the preserve’s 1,756 acres past numerous rocky crests and cliffs and more than 500 types of trees and wildflowers. More than 140 bird species and mammals such as red fox, bobcats, and coyotes call the Den home. There are a number of programs for all ages and guided hikes, or you can strike out on your own. Parking is at the end of Pent Road. The preserve is owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy.

The Aspetuck Land Trust manages a number of properties in Weston. They are detailed on the Web site www.aspetucklandtrust.org. One of the most diverse is the 1,009-acre Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area with trails for humans and horses. (Part of Trout Brook Valley is owned by the state.) There are a number of places to park, including Bradley Road and Elm Drive. There is better parking at the land trust’s Crow Hill and Jump Hill Preserves in Easton, from which you can access Trout Brook Valley.

The Elizabeth Luce Moore Nature Preserve encompasses 28 acres in Weston. There are four trails. Parking is on Hill Farm Road.

The Stonebridge Waterfowl Preserve is traversed by the Saugatuck River. There are also numerous wetlands and a pond on this 21-acre property. Parking is just off Newtown Turnpike north of Stonebridge Road.

The 38-acre Honey Hill Nature Preserve is on the Weston-Wilton border. Although Wampum Hill Road leads to the preserve, there is no parking. Park at the end of Mayapple in a cul-de-sac and walk to the Honey Hill entrance at the end of Wampum Hill Road.

Where can I go hiking?

Weston is one of the greenest towns in Fairfield County, with hundreds of protected acres and miles of trails. Some trails recommended by the Aspetuck Land Trust include:

Trout Brook Valley off Bradley Road;

Stonebridge Waterfowl Preserve, Newtown Turnpike and Stonebridge Road;

Elizabeth Luce Moore Nature Preserve, entrances on Hill Farm Road and Davis Hill Road;

Honey Hill Preserve on Wampum Hill Road (park on Mayapple);

Benjamin Wildflower Preserve on Old Stagecoach Road;

Walter Wagner Preserve at the intersection of Pleasant Hill Road and Partridge Lane.

The land trust offers printable trail maps of these properties on its Web site at www.aspetucklandtrust.org. Maps are also available at town hall.

There is also wonderful hiking at the Devil’s Den Preserve on Pent Road (see above).

Bisceglie-Scribner Park has walking trails.

Aquarion offers a hiking permit that allows access to the five-mile Saugatuck Nature Trail along the shore of the Saugatuck Reservoir and 35 miles of scenic trails in Weston and Redding. Call the watershed management department at 452-3510.

Where can I go swimming?

You have two choices for municipal swimming.

During the summer, you can swim at the pond at Bisceglie-Scribner Park. Seasonal passes are required. Call parks and recreation at 222-2655 for details.

During cooler weather, Weston residents may swim at the pool at Weston Middle School. Swim permits are good from September through mid-June. The pool is open early in the morning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Monday and Wednesday evenings; and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. For information, check the parks and recreation Web site or call 291-1560.

The town also sells beach stickers for Compo Beach in Westport at the town clerk’s office in Weston Town Hall. Beach stickers are required from May 1 through Oct. 1. For Westonites, the stickers cost $200 per car, or $100 for seniors. The drop-in cost is $15 per day on weekdays, and $30 per day on weekends and holidays.

Several private clubs in town offer swimming facilities to members; these include The Weston Field Club (227-8487 or www.westonfieldclub.com), which has a fresh water lake and an outdoor pool, and the Aspetuck Valley Country Club (226-9989) has an outdoor pool.

Where is the nearest public beach?

Sherwood Island State Park (226-6983) on Long Island Sound in Westport has changing rooms and eating areas, two large picnic grounds, space to play beach sports, and a concession stand in season. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. There is a parking fee from Memorial Day through September. No pets allowed.

There is also Jennings Beach in Fairfield and Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk

Where can I play tennis?

There are six municipal tennis courts at the Weston High School athletic complex behind the football field and track. They have hard courts with a four-layer rubberized cushion coating. The courts are open for play on a first-come, first-served basis with priority during the school year going to the high school tennis teams and physical education classes. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there is a pass required for play, which can be purchased at the parks and recreation office.

The Weston Racquet Club is a private tennis club at 405 Newtown Turnpike (226-3349). The Weston Field Club, 38 Ladder Hill Road South (227-8487 or www.westonfieldclub.com) has several types of individual and family memberships, and facilities include outdoor courts.

Are there any races in town?

The Weston Memorial Day 5K Road Race is an annual event at Weston High School. There is also a Children’s Fun Run. Visit www.hitekracing.com/weston5k/ for more information.

Are there any running clubs in the area?

The Lightfoot Running Club, based in Norwalk, offers a little social activity and a newsletter, but primarily the club runs races, sponsored by the Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department, every other weekend from late spring through the fall. For details, call John Miller at 847-3091.

The Wolfpit Running Club in Ridgefield is open to runners and walkers of all abilities. For information, check online at www.wolfpitrunningclub.org.

Is there an adult softball league in town?

Parks and recreation runs softball teams for men and women. Call Paul Schaeffer at 222-2655.

What public golf courses are in the area?

Public golf courses include the Ridgefield Golf Course at 545 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield (748-7008); Richter Park Municipal Golf Course, Aunt Hack Road, Danbury (792-2550); and Oak Hills Golf Course, 165 Fillow Street, Norwalk (853-8400). 

The Aspetuck Valley Country Club, 67 Old Redding Road (227-9989) is a private, members-only golf club in town.

Privately owned courses nearby include Sunset Hill Golf Club, 13 Sunset Hill Road, Brookfield (740-7800) and the Candlewood Valley Country Club, Route 7, New Milford (354-9359).

Are there any driving ranges in the area?

There are no driving ranges in Weston. Belmont’s Ridgefield Golf Complex (431-8989) is on Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7). Golf Quest (775-3556) in Brookfield has a driving range, a putting and chipping area and practice bunkers. In Bethel, the Stony Hill Long Drive (778-2777) is on Stony Hill Road.

Are there any miniature golf courses in town?

Belmont’s Ridgefield Golf Complex (431-8989) is in Ridgefield on Route 7, at the intersection with Picketts Ridge Road. It has both miniature golf and a driving range. Weather permitting, the complex is open daily year-round. There is also Golf Quest (775-3556) in Brookfield, which has both miniature golf and an indoor and outdoor driving range. It is open year-round.

Is there an ice rink or public skating in town?

There is no ice rink and no public skating. Skating is not allowed on area reservoirs. However, there are many ponds in Weston where people skate at their own risk. Crystal Lake is one of the more popular ponds.

The Winter Garden ice rink at 111 Prospect Ridge Road, Ridgefield, is open from October to late May, with public skating, hockey leagues and figure skating. Call the rink at 438-4423 for information on memberships.

Where are some good places to go sledding?

One of the more popular spots for school children is the hill behind the Weston Public Library. Otherwise, Weston is pretty flat.

Where can I fly a kite?

What’s not good for sledding is good for kite flying. There are plenty of open fields at the parks and school campus. Be careful of power lines, buildings, trees, and bird nests.

Are mountain bikes allowed in open spaces?

Mountain bikes are allowed on some trails at Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area. Check the map online at www.aspetucklandtrust.org.

Is there a helmet law for bicyclists?

Children age 12 and under must wear a helmet when bicycling in Connecticut.

Are there any good bicycling routes?

There are many fine roads for bicycling in the area. The Weston Forum has a free guide to 19 trips ranging from five to 45 miles, in Fairfield County and nearby Westchester. For a copy send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to Bicycle Trips, The Weston Forum, Box 1019, Ridgefield, CT 06877.

Are there any bicycling clubs in the area?

The Tokeneke Road Club, 151 Tokeneke Road, Darien, is a road-racing team. For details: 655-2600 or www.tokeneke.org.

Sound Cyclists runs group rides throughout Fairfield County year round. There are special events, a newsletter, and members are entitled to discounts at more than a dozen area bicycle shops. For information, visit www.soundcyclists.com.

Where can I go boating?

Although the Saugatuck River goes through Weston, it is not navigable at that point. There is a public boat launch on the Saugatuck River on Underhill Parkway off Bridge Street in Westport. It is a paved launch, good for large or small boats. It is a popular spot for canoeists and kayakers to convene. From the launch, you can paddle about a mile north to a dam or you can paddle south to Long Island Sound. Since the Saugatuck is a tidal river, you might want to check the tide tables. Kayakers report it’s more fun at high tide.

Is there a rowing club?

The Norwalk River Rowing Association offers youth and adult programs, instruction, and recreational and competitive activities. For information, call 299-5467 or visit www.norwalkriverrowing.org.

Where can I go fishing in town?

Fishing is available in all public ponds and lakes if you have a state fishing license. For privately owned ponds and lakes, permission from the owner must be obtained. Particularly popular is the Saugatuck Reservoir off Route 53 (a permit is required, see below), and the Aspetuck River off Route 58.

Aquarion offers fishing permits that allow access to reservoirs in Weston, Redding (including the Saugatuck), Monroe, and Shelton. Call 452-3510 for details.

What kinds of fish can you catch here?

Brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, striped bass, white perch, yellow perch, walleye, brown bullhead, channel catfish, and whitefish are typical to the area, including in Long Island Sound. Check the latest Connecticut Angler’s Guide descriptions of these fish — free copies of the guide may be found in the town clerk’s office in town hall.

When does fishing season start?

You may fish year-round in Long Island Sound but for most inland locations, the season begins the third Saturday in April and continues through November.

Where do I get a fishing license?

Inland fishing licenses are $20 (free to seniors and the disabled) and are required for anyone 16 and older. They are available at the town clerk’s office and many tackle shops. Fishing licenses are not needed in the marine district unless you are taking lobsters or menhaden. For details, check the Connecticut Angler’s Guide, available free at the town clerk’s office or online at www.ct.gov/dep.

What do I need to get a hunting license?

To obtain a hunting license, you must have had a resident license within the last five years or have proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course. A firearms hunting license costs $14, $3 for a junior (age 12 to 15) firearms hunting license. An archery license is $30, $13 for juniors. Hunting licenses may be purchased at town hall, archery licenses must be applied for by mail. Permits for hunting specific animals are extra. For details, consult the Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide, available free at the town clerk’s office, call DEP at 860-424-3011, or visit the Web site at www.ct.gov/dep.

Where can I go hunting in town?

While the Aspetuck Land Trust does not allow hunting on its property, you may hunt on the state-owned portion of Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area in Easton. It is open for turkey hunting in the spring and deer hunting in the fall. Check on specific requirements.

You may hunt on private property. All hunters are required to have permission from the landowner when hunting on private lands. Verbal permission for the hunting of animals other than deer and turkey is sufficient.

Deer and turkey hunters must carry the written permission of the landowner for the current season on official DEP forms. A landowner must have a minimum of 10 acres to authorize the use of a rifle for deer hunting.

For further information on game law issues, bowhunting, or conservation, refer to the latest issue of the state Hunting and Trapping Guide, available at the town clerk’s office or online at www.ct.gov/dep.

Who teaches firearms safety courses?

Try firearms dealers or call the state’s Conservation Education Firearms Safety office in Burlington at 860-675-8130.

What are the hunting seasons here?

Depending on the game, hunting seasons begin and end at different times. Check the latest state Hunting and Trapping Guide, available in the town clerk’s office or online at www.ct.gov/dep.

Bowhunting deer seasons are from Sept. 15 to Nov. 14, and Dec. 20-30 on state land; Sept. 15 to Dec. 31 at state bowhunting-only areas; and Sept. 15 to Jan. 31 (except Dec. 31-Jan.1) on private land. The shotgun-rifle season for deer on private land is Nov. 15-Dec. 5. For landowners it is Nov. 1-Dec. 30.

The spring turkey season is May 3-27. Fall turkey bowhunting season is Sept. 15 to Nov. 14 and Dec. 20-30. The firearms season is Oct. 7-31.

Hunting on Sunday is prohibited in Connecticut.

Can I shoot a gun on my property?

You may shoot for target practice on your property as long as the projectile doesn’t leave the property.

Hunting regulations stipulate that hunting, shooting or carrying a loaded firearm within 500 feet of any building occupied by people or domestic animals is illegal. Hunting or shooting from or across the traveled portion of a public roadway, or from motor vehicles, is also prohibited. Shooting toward a person, building or domestic animal when within range is illegal.

Where can a person practice shooting?

There are the Ramapoo Rifle and Revolver Club in Ridgefield (438-2095), and Shooting Sports Limited Indoor Range (847-2767) in Norwalk. The Wooster Mountain Shooting Range on Route 7 in Danbury is open for public shooting seasonally. The range phone number is 794-9821.

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