Ring in the new year outdoors with friends and neighbors! Our fifth annual First Day hike at Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, co-sponsored with Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services, will explore the Town of Bloomfield’s picturesque golf course abutting the Land Conservancy’s Beacon Hill Preserve. Some of the property along Duncaster Road was once a part of A. C. Peterson Farms and nicely illustrates the rural character of western Bloomfield. As a result of continuing thoughtful management, it is certified as a Cooperative Bird Sanctuary by Audubon International.
This guided walk will follow approximately 2.5 miles of cart paths over the rolling hills. Leashed dogs are welcome. Please use the online RSVP form to help our volunteer event leaders plan ahead. Thank you!
Wintonbury Hills is closed for the season for golfers. During this hiatus, walkers are welcome to use the grounds as long as they stay on the cart paths. Snowshoeing also is allowed once there is snow. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore one of Bloomfield’s nicest walks and wonderful views. Once Spring arrives, it will belong again to the golfers!
Here There Be Dragons: The Unseen World of Dragonflies
By Dr. Kirsten Martin, Professor of Biology and Program Director for Environmental Science at the University of Saint Joseph
Dr. Martin will talk about the life cycle of dragonflies, with special attention paid to the nymphal and emergence stages. She will also talk about her work with the Dragonfly Mercury Project, a project which uses dragonflies to track mercury deposition.
Dr. Kirsten Martin is an environmental scientist whose research work focuses on nymphal dragonfly behavior. She earned her BS in Wildlife Management from the University of New Hampshire, an MS in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University, and her PhD in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England.
Co-sponsored by: Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services
Penwood State Park Hike
New for 2026!: T Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy Hiking Club
Anyone is welcome to join the brand new Traprock Ridge Hiking Club exploring trails in our local area. We will be hosting these hikes in partnership with the Simsbury Land Trust Hiking Club to share even more of our region’s protected lands with you!
The first hike of the new Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy Hiking Club will be held at Penwood State Park and led by TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul. The planned route is about 3 miles, and it is expected to take 2-3 hours, depending on our group’s pace.
We will be hiking the scenic yellow trail