‘Friends’ of Peoples State Forest to rededicate Bronson Trail

Two ‘very exciting’ events set for Saturday

BARKHAMSTED » Friends of American Legion & Peoples State Forests and the Bronson family invite the public to “two very exciting events” on Saturday at the forest.

The events will be held behind Squire’s Tavern at 100 East River Road, Barkhamsted. Activities kick off at 10 a.m. with a raffle drawing for a restored 1938 Old Town Canoe owned by James L. Goodwin. The raffle benefits FALPS and Friends of Goodwin Forest. Tickets, at $20 each, will be sold until the drawing.

Goodwin was a conservationist and philanthropist in the first half of the 20th century. He accumulated land in Eastern Connecticut, which became known as Pine Acres. This 1,800-acre tree farm was donated to the state in the 1960s and is now the James L. Goodwin State Forest and Conservation Center. At the same time, Goodwin donated land in Simsbury; that property is now the Great Pond State Forest.

At 10:30 a.m., the group will re-dedicate of the Elliott Bronson Trail in Peoples State Forest with members of the Bronson family.

E.P. Bronson wrote the Forestry Pageant for the dedication of Peoples Forest in 1924. He was also a forest fire warden, a member of the Board of Fisheries and Game and the Superintendent of State Parks until 1964.

FALPS President Ralph Scarpino, Dick Miska, Recreation Manager of Peoples State Forest, and state forester Chris Martin will speak, followed by a talk by Eric Hamerling, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. The final speaker is Jody Bronson, a fourth generation member of the family.

A new kiosk will then be unveiled on Greenwoods Road near the intersection of East River Road.

Following the ceremony, FALPS members will lead a hike on the Elliott Bronson Trail. All are invited. The trail is steep and difficult in spots, but manageable by most. It is a two-mile trek to Park Road; waiting cars will return hikers to Squire’s Tavern.