Squantz Pond State Park
|
Squantz Pond State Park
|
||
 Autumn morning at Squantz Pond |
||
| location | Cornwall USA | |
| surface | 0.7 km 2 | |
| Geographical location | 41 ° 31 ′ N , 73 ° 29 ′ W | |
|
||
| Setup date | 1926 | |
| administration | Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection, State of Connecticut | |
Squantz Pond State Park is a state park about 10 miles north of Danbury in the New Fairfield area in the US state of Connecticut . The park is at the southwest end of Squantz Pond . Recreational opportunities include swimmers, fishing, hiking, and boating. The Pootatuck State Forest connects to the west .
history
Fairfield, Connecticut settlers received permission from the General Assembly to start a new location. They negotiated with the Chief Squantz of the Schaghticoke , a tribe of the Algonquin family . Other lore reports that they failed to negotiate with Chief Squantz because he withdrew to the area north of the lake and refused to sell the land. According to this, the settlers repeatedly sent lawyers and eventually received approval from other Indians who might not have the right to conclude the contracts. The settlers "bought" a 130 km 2 large piece of land that the city of New Fairfield and Sherman today for about $ 300 on April 24, 1729. The registration took place on May 9, 1729. It is included in the archives of the State Capitol in Hartford, Connecticut .
Before the area around Squnatz Pond became a state park, it was home to farmland and apple orchards. Despite many changes in the landscape, traces of the indigenous population can be discovered again and again. Stone axes, hammers and other tools come to light. The remains of a canoe 6.7 m long and 1.5 m wide found at the bottom of the lake sparked speculation as to whether the lake was bigger before the settlers came and he passed the damming of Candlewood Lake was enlarged. The northern tip of the lake is separated from Candlewood Lake by a Route 39 bridge .
free time activities
There are swimming, fishing and diving opportunities in the park and there is a ramp for motor boats. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available. The trails connect to the adjacent Pootatuck State Forest . There are also picnic facilities and a nature center .
At the western end, the main hiking trail begins at the northern end of the picnic area. It follows the western shore line of the lake for a distance of 2 miles to a peninsula that protrudes into the lake and offers a beautiful view over the whole lake.
A green marked path turns north towards Worden Brook and then turns southwest, it crosses the north end of the yellow path and turns east back to the origin. The yellow path works as a shortcut and turns faster to the south. An unmarked path runs along the western shoreline of Squantz Pond. This area is largely with hemlock passed. Some streams crash into the lake and there are interesting rock formations. Halfway there is a lookout point and a red marked path branches off and leads in a steep climb to Pootatuck Mountain . The path ends near Worden Brook , where a dirt path leads south again onto the main path.
safety
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has kept statistics of drowning accidents in state parks since 1996. During that time, 15 people drowned in Squantz Pond State Park.
In 2007, DEP officials declared "the Rocks" a restricted area. Due to public pressure, the government announced that it would reduce the number of parking spaces and put up signs on Interstate 84, notifying people when the capacity is exhausted.
In June 2008, the DEP published various safety precautions. The other victims drowned in the area known as "the Rocks" or in the unsecured area of Squantz Cove outside the marked bathing area.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Squantz Pond State Park. In: State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, accessed February 5, 2013 .
- ↑ State restricts Squantz Pond access. In: The News-Times, Danbury, Conn. July 12, 2007, accessed March 31, 2015 .
- ↑ crews prepare for Squantz Pond swimming season. In: The News-Times, Danbury, Conn. May 15, 2008, accessed March 31, 2015 .
- ↑ Nanci Hutson: Squantz Pond drownings reduced with extra vigilance: more information. In: The News-Times, Danbury, Conn. May 29, 2012, accessed March 31, 2015 . - List of victims
- ↑ Record number drown at park. In: The News-Times, Danbury, Conn. December 29, 2007, accessed March 31, 2015 .
- ↑ Third drowning at Squantz Pond 'a tragic end to the summer'. In: The News-Times, Danbury, Conn. September 3, 2007, accessed March 31, 2015 .
Web links
- Squantz Pond State Park Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- Squantz Pond State Park Map Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection