Farm River State Park - East Haven.
Farm River State Park may not rank high on the list of parks by
size but it is well placed when ranked by location. Taking its
headwaters to the northeast, the Farm River flows 16.5 miles on its
way past the Park where visitors enjoy the sun, sights and salt air
of Long Island Sound.
The Farm River drains parts of Durham, Wallingford and North
Branford on its 16.5 mile journey past Farm River State Park to
Long Island Sound. The 61 acres that make up the park are situated
on the western shoreline perfectly positioned to enjoy the full
beauty of the river just before it empties into the Sound.
As recently as the early 1970s, this area of the lower Farm River
was dominated by unkempt summer homes. Land was inexpensive and
available. Today, the neighborhood consists of luxury condominiums,
and the state, in retrospect, was fortunate to obtain this park
when it did. Despite its size, the park’s diversity is
remarkable. Snowy egrets feed in the marshland and share the tidal
wetlands and rocky shore with a wide variety of ducks, gulls, and
the occasional blue heron. Evidence of deer in the area. I saw
rabbits and a box turtle along the trail.
This quiet park has fascinating and picturesque geology. The
uplands and bedrock outcrops, especially in the northern section,
provide the landscape diversity and the topography that allow tidal
marsh flooding to separate the park into its upper and lower
portions. The river shoreline and its access points in the southern
section provide a quiet and scenic respite not often accessible
this close to the coast.
When the main trail comes to a wider trail/road, turn right and
look for the trail to continue off the left about 50 feet away.
This part of trail is not as well marked but well trodden. This is
located near the end of the trail that offers views of the Farm
River, some small marinas and salt marshes.