Indian Meadow is 34 acres in size. It was donated to the Trust in 1987 as part of the development of new homes on White Oak Drive. It is an elongated parcel that lies between White Oak Drive and Woodchuck Lane. The property adds to a long wildlife corridor from New Hartford to Bristol. It also protects the East Branch of Rock Brook, which supports native brook trout, a species of special concern.
The property has boundaries that touch RT 4 (Burlington Road) and White Oak Drive. Public access for hiking is available on White Oak Dr. with roadside parking. Parking is permitted next to the wooded area on the left between the 5th and 6th houses as you drive into the road. It is best if you go past the access, turn at the cul-de-sac and return to park (see Indian Meadow parking location). Look for the steps going down into the woods at the trail head. A parking area on RT 4 is also being considered, depending upon feasibility and the area’s level of public use (current levels of public use are low). RT 4 parking next to the land trust sign is currently being used for property maintenance, with some use by the public for hiking.
A trail system (close to 2-miles back and forth) has been cleared and marked by colored blazers Indian Meadow Printable Map. The trail begins from White Oak Dr. down recently completed (Eagle Scout project) steps and over a bridge.
A short red-blazed trail leads in from the roadside steps and bridge to the juncture of the longer white and yellow trails. The white trail goes to a pollinator meadow (managed for butterflies and honey bees) next to RT 4. The yellow trail has a return loop. Walking is on fairly level ground.
Eleven footbridges and boardwalks have been constructed along the trail system, providing dry hiking through an open mature forest with plenty of nice views. Benches have been placed on the white trail and at the pollinator meadow.
The Harwinton Land Trust offers special thanks to the following:
The Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation in 2016 for a grant to obtain a professional survey of the property’s borders.
The NW CT Community Foundation in 2018 (Elson-Slemmer Fund) for providing a grant for bridge-building materials.
The Wilderness School in 2018 for hauling bridge-building materials to stream crossing sites.
Eagle Scout candidate, Michael Collen in 2019 for completing a long footbridge and the steps leading down from White Oak Drive.