Towns, land trusts protect more than 82 acres of former Connecticut Water land as open space

CLINTON, Conn., Jan. 2, 2025 — Connecticut Water recently completed the final transfer of 6 parcels, totaling more than 82 acres of land, no longer needed for water supply purposes to the Borough of Naugatuck, The Town of Prospect, the Bethany Land Trust, and the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust, ensuring the land will remain protected open space in perpetuity. 

For more than 20 years, Connecticut Water and Save the Sound have worked together on ways to protect land as open space, particularly through the donation or bargain sale of water company lands no longer needed for water purposes. In 2022, Connecticut Water finalized agreements to transfer six such parcels, ranging in size from eight to 19 acres for a total of about 82 acres, intended for passive, public recreation. After the recent closing of three parcels in Naugatuck, Connecticut Water fulfilled the commitment, ensuring all six parcels will be protected. 

“We’re thrilled to ensure these natural resources will remain protected under the dedicated stewardship of our community partners,” Connecticut Water President Craig Patla said. “Protecting water resources benefits both the communities and the environment, which encompass core segments of Connecticut Water’s mission.”

Naugatuck plans to establish formal hiking trails on some of the property and use another portion for a new playing field adjacent to Kevin DelGobbo Memorial Field. 

“The new trail network that we’re going to jointly finalize is gorgeous. It adds a lot of Naugatuck,” said Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess. “We have some great trails on the west side of town. We’ll now have some beautiful trails on the east side of town as well.”

Naugatuck and Connecticut Water will work together on the trail plan, since it will require a permit from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, to allow for passive recreation that won’t impact the nearby watershed. 

In Prospect, the town would eventually like to see the 17-acre parcel, purchased earlier in 2024 on the western side of town, open for passive recreation. Like Naugatuck, Prospect will work with Connecticut Water on a recreation permit from the state health department. 

The Bethany Land Trust moved quickly to open a hiking trail on a 20-acre parcel, now known as the Three Sisters Preserve. The preserve contains a variety of interesting features including a meandering trout brook, steep escarpments and the remains of an old mill. The Land Trust enlisted the help of an Eagle Scout to create a .5-mile hiking trail loop that winds throughout the property. After rains, water cascades down through rocky outcroppings en route to the stream, creating a relaxing, tranquil spot to soak in natural beauty.

The Killingworth Land Conservation Trust purchased a 14-acre parcel adjacent to the Hammonasset River and across the street from the Trust’s Cranberry Hollow parcel. About 15 miles of the river flows through Killingworth, with about 90 percent of it being protected.