Over the years, Plainville residents, school and civic groups, and environmentalists have been able to enjoy the quiet seclusion of Tomasso Nature Park on Granger Lane.

On July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. residents, groups and local officials will gather en masse to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Tomasso Nature Park, according to Town Naturalist Ruth S. Hummel.

Tomasso, with its 4 acres of wetlands, was established and donated to the town in 1989 by the Tomasso family in exchange for officials allowing runway work at Robertson Airport that initially caused some loss of nearby wetlands.

The Conservation Commission will assist Hummel in sponsoring several events, including a hands-on reptile program given at 11 a.m. by Riverside Reptiles of East Granby. Conservation Commission members will distribute information and give park tours. Last year, commissioners erected identification tags for tree species at the park.

The Recycling and Solid Waste Commission and the Plainville Greenway Alliance will be in attendance and talk about their groups. The historical society will display Tunxis Indian native American artifacts. The program and display will begin at 10 a.m.

A free lunch will be served at noon. At 1 p.m., raptor expert Julie Collier will show Lakota, her full-grown golden eagle, and discuss birds of prey.

Hummel said she has invited members of the Tomasso family and is optimistic that they will attend. The park will open at 9 a.m. No bikes or vehicles are allowed beyond the outer gate. Extra parking is supplied at Bible Baptist Church on Granger Lane. No domestic animals are allowed in the park.

The park is open dawn to dusk March 15 to Nov. 15.

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