Town of Madison – RECREATION
The exceptional beauty of Madison’s coastline and historic charm can be attributed to enduring community values, supported through local government, civic organizations and businesses. Agricultural and historic preservation continue to be driving factors in the town’s Plan of Development.
Established in 1826, the 36 square miles of Madison was originally part of the town of Guilford. The expansion of the railroad in the mid 1900’s brought new growth and development to this cozy seashore town, which boasted summer residents and tourism. Now listed on the national register of historic places, Madison thrives as a year round community rich in nature, cultural events, education and recreation.
So, grab your hiking shoes and daypack, kayak or canoe, bicycle or beach chair and enjoy the miles and miles of outdoor activities in this coastal treasure.
BAUER PARK
Photo Courtesy of Amy Etra, Photographer
261 Copse Road
Trails, Boardwalks, Fishing (catch & release), Nature Center, Programs, Facilities
In 1990 Erwin Bauer gave his farm and its land to the town of Madison. Erwin and his brother Anthony lived and worked their 64-acre farm for over 90 years. As produce farmers, the brothers managed their land through irrigation, growing: apples, pears, plums, cherries and a vast assortment of vegetables. Today, the Park boasts four ponds, a farmhouse circa 1840, museum and nature center, community gardens, an outdoor amphitheater, boardwalks, a covered bridge, butterfly and bird habitat gardens, orchards and several walking trails through lovely grass meadows. Rich in community and nature, Bauer Park is host to school groups, environmental studies, children’s programs and Harvest Festivals.
Year Round/Open sunrise to sunset.
203-318-8651
www.madisonct.org/bauerpark.html
COCKAPONSET STATE FOREST
Hiking
The Cockaponset State Forest, named after an Indian Chief buried in the Ponset section of the forest, is the state’s second largest state forest spanning over 16,000 acres through 11 towns. Walkers and hikers can find easy access and parking to several trailheads within the town of Madison. Casual walkers can follow the Double Loop Trail, a 1.4-mile easy walk between Opening Hill Road and Warpas Road. View stonewalls, a vernal pool, wetlands, streams and knolls. The Madison Land Conservation Trust, a private non-profit corporation, currently protects over 1,500 acres of woodlands and wetlands within the town boundaries. A large selection of trail maps and directions to Cockaponset trailheads are easily accessible on their website.
Year Round/Open sunrise to sunset.
madisonlandtrust.org
stateparks.com/cockaponset.html
GRISWOLD PARK (Coming in 2011)
1362 Boston Post Road
Wildlife Viewing Trails, Arts Center, Gardens, Recreation Fields, Field House, Canoe/Kayak Launch
Griswold airport opened in a grassland area adjacent to Hammonasset State Park in 1931. As a small one-runway venue, local residents have become accustomed to the ultralight and light sport aircraft buzzing over the beach skies and Long Island Sound.
In 2007, Griswold airport closed its doors and the 42 acres was posted for sale. Over the next 3 years, the future of the land remained uncertain. In 2010, with assistance from The Trust for Public Land and Audubon Connecticut, the Town of Madison officially purchased the property in its’ entirety, with a vision of conservation and active and passive public use.
Several Griswold Park site plans are being considered. The plans include bringing the land back to its’ natural state by the removal of all existing structures and applied surfaces. Options for the plans include: athletic fields, a field house, kayak/canoe launch, bird viewing and wild life platform, star gazing platform, butterfly garden, wild flower and salt meadows, oyster hatchery, walking trails, sand barren, dining pavilion and a Hanger Arts Center.
For continuing development information:
madisonct.org/Selectman/griswold/faq.htm
sgod.org
HAMMONASSET STATE PARK
1288 Boston Post Road
Walking, Biking (seasonal rentals), Swimming, Camping (seasonal), Camp Store (seasonal), Fishing, Concessions (seasonal), Facilities, Nature Center, Bird Sanctuary
Open year round from sunrise to sunset, Madison is home to Connecticut’s largest (930 acres) shoreline park. With over 2 miles of sandy beach along the Long Island Sound, guests will find over 550 grassy campsites, a 4-mile round trip walking trail and boardwalk, bike rentals, picnicking pavilions, seasonal concession stands and shower facilities, recreational fields, a car-top boat launch area, stone jetties for fishing, an expansive bird sanctuary and Nature Center. Bird photographers and observers can enjoy an abundance of land and water based birds, including: Loons, Grebes, Cormorants, Herons, Ibis, Egrets, Osprey and Terns to name a few. Because of it’s ideal location, Hammonasset is also a popular stop for many migrating birds. A comprehensive list of bird varieties can be found at: THIS LINK.
In addition, bird enthusiasts would enjoy a visit to The Audubon Shop, 907 Boston Post Road, just minutes from the park entrance. A large selection of literature and maps are available for purchase.
Hammonasset officially opened in 1920 as a state park welcoming over 75,000 visitors in their first season. Purchased from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, who utilized the land for rifle testing, the park was loaned to the U.S. Army during World War II. Historic Meigs Point, the southern most section of the park, functioned as an aircraft range. Today, over 1 million people visit the park annually.
Year Round/Open sunrise to sunset.
Camping, Concessions (seasonal)
203-245-2785
877-668-2267 (Reservations)
203-245-8743 (Nature Center programs)
ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325210
ROCKLAND PRESERVE
Hiking
The Rockland Preserve, just west of Route 79 in the north Madison woodlands, was purchased by the town in 1997. Located in the watershed area of the Hammonasset River, the 649 acres is filled with rocky hills, ledges, glacial boulders and wooded trails. Visitors can walk the old abandoned horse and wagon roads and observe the remains of early settler’s stone fireplaces, crude huts and charcoal pits.
Choose from several 1-2 mile trails to enjoy Coan Pond, the seasonal foliage and wildflowers. Trail Guides may be downloaded on the Rockland Preserve website.
No hunting or fishing.
Year Round/Open sunrise to sunset.
203-245-5623
http://www.madisonct.org/rocklandpreserve/
DOWNTOWN HISTORIC MADISON
The Madison Historic District runs along Route 1, from just east of Jannas Lane, into the center of town. Within a modest walk, visitors can view the Allis-Bushnell House (1780’s), part of the old Boston Street area between Wall Street and Scotland Avenue, the Lee Academy (1821) a private college preparatory school influenced by Captain Frederick Lee, and the Deacon John Grave House (1685), home to the stories of one family through seven generations, from early colonial times into the twentieth century .
The Madison Historical Society, established in 1917, is a nonprofit organization of citizens whose mission is “to preserve, collect, interpret and promote the history and heritage of Madison for present and future generations.” – MHS. Currently, MHS manages three historical sites, including the Smallpox Cemetery in east Guilford, final resting place of Captain Ichabod Scranton. Many additional Madison structures, that predate 1930, can be noted in town through the MHS Historic Building Plaque program.
Visiting hours vary and are seasonal. Private tours are available year round by special arrangement.
Deacon John Grave House
581 Boston Post Road
203-245-4798
deaconjohngrave.org
Madison Historical Society
853 Boston Post Road
203-245-4567
madisoncthistorical.org/
THE SCULPTURE MILE
The center of Madison is the focal point of the community. Rich in charm and character, visitors can now stroll along an exciting outdoor art exhibit, connected through the Tuxis Pond boardwalk. The one-mile walking exhibit, sponsored by The Hollycroft Foundation, is home to 30 sculptures created by distinguished American artists from Maine to North Carolina. Sculptures range from the traditional to the abstract, from majestic to delicate.
Self-guided tours are optional year round with seasonal guided tours on Saturdays from May through October. Group tours are available. A full catalogue can be downloaded from their website.
The Hollycroft Foundation
203-421-1961
hollycroft.org
PEDALS AND PADDLES
Biking and Water Trails
The beauty of the Connecticut coastline calls quietly to the experienced biker and the weekend pleasure seeker alike. Madison’s largely flat and picturesque shoreline is ideal for biking enthusiasts of all levels. Try a superb 6.5-mile one-way journey through marshland, waterfront homes and town and state beaches.
Beginning on Route 1 and West Wharf Road, at the Madison Country Club, a private 18-hole golf course, take a short pedal south to Surf Club Road. Loop through this 45-acre town beach park graced with marshland, a large sandy beach and pine-wooded picnic areas. Seasonal concessions and facilities are available. You may even catch a town football game in the stadium seated Strong Center recreation field, fully lighted for nighttime play.
Once outside the Surf Club, take a quick right to West Wharf Beach. This quaint town beach access area has a small stone pier and sits beside the newly renovated Madison Beach Hotel. On a clear day from the pier, gazing about 16 miles across the Sound, you can see Long Island, New York stretched out across the horizon.
Continue traveling east along Middle Beach Road. This absolutely stunning 1.5-mile stretch of waterfront community is rich with waves, seashore floral and gorgeous residential homes.
Take a right to continue on Middle Beach Road. Pedal along side the seawall to East Wharf Beach. This modest town beach has a gazebo and a fishing pier. Once used as a ship building location, visitors can now enjoy shell fishing and swimming with seasonal facilities available.
Traveling east, Middle Beach Road becomes Seaview Avenue at the salt marsh bridge. The rocky shore widens to a stretch of private beach, complete with cabanas and wooded walkways, secluded by lavish sea grasses and coastal plant life.
Head north up Waterbury Avenue, turning right onto Liberty Street and bearing right onto Route 1. The entrance to Hammonasset Beach State Park is within ½ mile. From the entrance of park, it is a 2-mile ride along the dunes to the southern tip of the park at Meigs Point. There you can tie your bike, stretch your legs and take a short climb to a viewing platform. Walk along a popular stone fishing jetty, hike east through the bird sanctuary, or seasonally, visit the Nature Center.
*Observe parking laws, private beach areas and state biking laws.
*Town beaches are accessed by seasonal passes, available through the
Madison Beach & Recreation Department (see *Beaches)
Kayaking/Canoeing
From open salt water paddling along Gull Rocks and beach shores, to the inlets of the East River, Neck River and Hammonasset River, Madison is home to numerous luscious water trails. As the entire shore of Madison resides within the Long Island Sound, paddlers will find conditions pristine for light to moderate paddling over miles of waterways.
On Route 1 in the west of town, at the Guilford/Madison town line, paddlers can access the East River. This 6- mile tidal salt-water river runs from north of the Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary, protected by the Connecticut Audubon Society, into Long Island Sound at Grass Island. Paddlers will find many small tributary streams to explore through an area with limited land development. Seasonal rentals are available from a small marina and three restaurants are within a short walking distance.
The Neck River intersects with the East River at the East River State Boat Launch. Access to both rivers, limited parking,
boat launch ramp,car-top boat access and seasonal facilities are available. The Neck River winds east through a largely residential area.
In the east, The Hammonasset River, extends from Long Island Sound at the Madison/Clinton town line, about 20 miles inland. There are several access locations to the river. The 2-mile northern portion of the river between Summer Hill Road and Green Hill Road is classified as a Class I-II. Access to this section of the river can be found on Summer Hill Road.
To the south, this tidal river begins to widen at the I-95 underpass access point. This end of the river is a peaceful paddle through marshes, a small pretty residential community, under the Route 1 bridge, (also an access area with seasonal rentals), passed a marina and ending on the eastern side of Hammonasset State Park adjacent to Cedar Island. The modest paddler can find sufficient exercise and beauty along its’ shores. Watch the tide table as areas of the river become extremely shallow at low tide.
Hammonasset River-Access from Summer Hill Road: Route 80 to Summer Hill Road south.
Hammonasset River-Access from I-95 overpass: I-95, exit 62, south on Duck Hole Road to overpass.
Hammonasset River-Access from Route 1: I-95, Exit 62, south on Hammonasset Connector. Left onto Route 1 to river bridge.
East River-Access from Route 1: I-95, Exit 59, south to Route 1. Left on Route 1, 1.5-miles to the river bridge.
East River-Access from State Boat Launch: I-95, Exit 59, south to Route 1. Left on Route 1, 2.2-miles, right onto Neck Road. Follow boat launch signs.
Be mindful of hunting seasons, tide tables, weather and other water safety guidelines and requirements.
Connecticut Water Trails Association
connecticutwatertrails.com
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
(Outdoor Recreation, Fish & Game, Boating)
ct.gov/dep
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
(Coastal Access Guide)
lisrc.uconn.edu
BEACHES
Surf Club (Town Beach)
87 Surf Club Road
-Sandy Beach, Rocky Shore, Swimming, Fishing, Shell Fishing, Car-top Boat Access, Pine Forest Picnic Area, Look out picnic area, Trails, Sports Arena, Seasonal Concessions/Facilities
*Passes required (No Passes needed for at town beaches if you are biking)
*Open year round sunrise to sunset
*Evening town/school events
*Ample parking
West Wharf Beach (Town Beach)
88 West Wharf Road
-Pier, modest Sandy Beach, Swimming, Car-top Boat Access, Fishing, Shell Fishing
*Passes required (No Passes needed for at town beaches if you are biking)
*Open year round sunrise to sunset
*Minimal parking
East Wharf Beach (Town Beach)
122 East Wharf Road
-Pier, modest Sandy Beach area, Gazebo, Swimming, Car-top Boat Access, Fishing, Shell Fishing
*Passes required (No Passes needed for at town beaches if you are biking)
*Open year round sunrise to sunset
*Limited parking
Town Beach Passes may be purchased in advance:
Madison Beach & Recreation Department
8 Campus Drive
203-245-5623
Mon-Fri 8:30A-4:00P
TRAIL MAPS & GUIDES
E.C. Scranton Memorial Library
801 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443
203-245-7365
scrantonlibrary.org/madison/index.htm
Madison Land Conservation Trust
For purchase:
The Audubon Shop
907 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443
203.245.9056
theaudubonshop.com
R. J. Julias Booksellers
768 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443
203-245-3959
rjjulia.com
