Take a 'stay-cation' in Plainville

Photo courtesy of the Plainville Historical Society

Lions Club members build the bathhouse at Norton Park.

With gasoline prices flying out of sight, many families have decided to forgo their annual long distance vacation trips and to explore Connecticut and better still, Plainville.

As I write this, Gov. Rell has encouraged citizens to take "Stay-Cations" to save gas and money.

So what does Plainville offer? This week's article is all about our parks.

At Norton Park, South Washington Street (Route 177), you will find a fantastic pool, playscape and water slide. There are water areas for all ages and stages of aquatic skills.

This marvelous water complex was left by Victor Berner in memory of his wife Elizabeth. The great cost of it tells a great deal about his avid athlete, who had Olympic aspirations which unfortunately never got him to the big time. He was a lifeguard at Lake Compounce, where he gave breathtaking "demos" of his talent. He owned Berner Armored Car Service and thus acquired his fortune.

The land for Norton Park was given by Charles H. Norton. He and his daughter Elizabeth lived in the large mansion above the park on Red Stone Hill "Sharpenhoe." One stipulation in the deed for the park was that the Farmington Canal should be dredged, kept clean and used for educational purposes. Thanks to a major project by the Plainville Historical Society Inc. in its younger years, almost a quarter-mile of the canal in the park was restored to its original measurements in 1970. Despite an ongoing battle with water hyacinths and finding a contractor, with the right equipment, the canal looks somewhat as it did in 1828 to 1848.

Wonderful, shaded, color-coded picnic areas are available but you must call (860) 747-6022 to reserve space; fire facilities, running water and toilets are there for your use.

The Plainville Lions Club put in untold manhours over the years to assist in the development and improvements of the town's parks starting with Norton. Thanks, Lions! Grrr!

I might mention here that Norton and Paderewski Parks (on Cooke Street) are for Plainville residents only. For more details call the Recreation Department at (860) 747-6022. They can also supply details about reserving picnic areas and ball fields of many kinds.

Marvelous ancient trees, including one of the largest white oaks in Connecticut abide in Norton Park. Along the canal, wildflowers grow in the springtime and a wide variety of songbirds, turtles, a great blue heron call that area home. These are all protected; watch them but do not interfere with their lives!

No fishing is allowed in the canal and that includes the turtles.

Across town, off Cooke Street, you will find Paderewski Park named for the great Polish patriot and concert pianist. Originally it was owned by an order of nuns from New Britain who used it as a summer camp for New Britain children. They built many buildings, including a chapel, dorms and a dining hall. The land was obtained by the town of Plainville when the religious order fell into financial bad times.

Previous to all that, these had been a large and popular racetrack for trotters there (we actually had two or three trotting parks!) complete with hotel and grandstands. And somewhere in there Mr. Hart was digging sand out of what is now Paderewski Pond.

At this pond fishing is allowed following state regulations.

There is a large covered pavilion with tables that can be reserved by calling the number I've listed already.

A special children's play area and a shallow pool, for them are also Lions Club projects. Bless those boys!

Ball fields must be reserved.

This is a great park for a moderate hike around the pond. You'll see lots of water birds and look closely - sometimes there are exotic strangers, birds, I mean!

Now to Robertson Airport, a busy place, call ahead to see if there are any special events going on. There is always plane-watching.

The town hopes to purchase the airport and hire knowledgeable people to run it! Let's hope it happens: We have the oldest airport in Connecticut; let's not let it be developed into housing or whatever.

Tomasso Nature Park at the end of Granger Lane, off Route 177, is a great place to collect yourself and enjoy nature. If you approach quietly, you'll see geese, ducks, swans, hundreds of turtles, including at least one huge snapper. All of these birds, animals, flowers are protected; enjoy them but leave them alone.

No food, animals or bikes are allowed in the park.

For a free brochure on the park, call the Plainville Historic Center at (860) 747-6577 or better still stop by.

You can see the runway of Robertson Field off to the right from the first bridge as well as the natural Pequabuck Marsh. Count the turtles on a sunny morning, its amazing!

Special tours may be booked by calling me at home (860) 747-0081 or at the Plainville Historic Center on Monday or Wednesday mornings (860) 747-6577. I can tailor a walk to almost any age group except very young tots. The walking is easy and there are benches here and there. You'll want your binoculars; park beyond the town garage and walk down the lane into the park which is open dawn to dusk.

In another article we will visit some of the buildings in town that are open for tours.