West Hartford resident Jeff Shaw’s latest adventure was a tour of the town’s parks.

West Hartford Parks Route map. Courtesy of Jeff Shaw

By Jeff Shaw

I love to learn about – and then find – self-described things “hidden in plain sight.” That’s the essence of the West Hartford Parks Route.

Elizabeth Park, the iconic public gardens, is the beginning of the West Hartford Parks Route: a 24-mile hiking route that passes through public parks and woodlands, ending at the only remaining farm in town, Westmoor Park.

The trail behind Bugbee School. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

The idea was conceived while “discovering West Hartford”: walking, running, biking, and snow-shoeing new-to-me neighborhoods, parks, and woodlands. The route concept took on a life of its own when trying out playgrounds with my toddler, most located at town parks. The idea was turbo-charged into a full-blown project after reading an article by Miles Howard about the Walking City Trail in Mountain Gazette #199.

There are countless interesting places in West Hartford; public parks, woodlands, water views, service road trails, a labyrinth, colorful artwork, just to name a few. Many lesser-known public rights of way connect neighborhoods and brought me to noteworthy scenery like yard art, historical sites, and holiday decorations.

Trout Brook Trail. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

Unlike traditional hikes, this route presents opportunities to enjoy amenities. It purposefully goes through every downtown area to showcase coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, heck even museums, shops, and art galleries. These conveniences may fuel your time on the route as well as support local businesses along the way. The old adage, “the journey is more important than the destination,” comes to mind.

Vibrant public spaces enhance our quality of life. Shared locations, like parks and woodlands, bring people together, provide opportunities to recreate and serve as green and blue spaces in an increasingly paved world.

Followers of the West Hartford Parks Route will pass through Wojan’s Woods. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

As Miles Howard noted, these routes seek to contrast the man-made, built environment with the natural elements of a town. There really are some wild places left to discover in this bustling town of 64,000 people.

A few notes about the West Hartford Parks Route:

• The West Hartford Parks Route is not marked or blazed.
• Always follow local property owner signage/rules. These public places are owned by the Town of West Hartford, MDC, West Hartford Land Trust, Holy Family Retreat Center, and a private developer (who has stated the property will include public trails).
• Most streets have sidewalks or follow portions of the three designated bike routes as well as pedestrian paths and public “cut throughs.”
• You do not have to complete the entire trail at once. However, if you’d like to, consider timing yourself and submitting the attempt to Fastest Known Time, where the West Hartford Park Route lives, including turn-by-turn directions. I created a similar route in town, though exclusively on trails, the West Hartford Reservoir Route.

Find something new-to-you in West Hartford!

The finish line of the West Hartford Parks Route is the wrought iron sign in Westmoor Park. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

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