Views Of Winter
 Tarrywile Park, Danbury
January 23, 2006
By JACK CORAGGIO, Special to ctnow.com
Past the old, brown mansion at Tarrywile Park - one of its main attractions - there is a thin strip of woods that ends abruptly at a rocky cliff.
I knew hiking across the cliff's boulders in the wet snow called for caution. One false move, and I'm lying on a pile of jagged rocks about six stories below. But for any nature lover, the reward far outweighs the risk.
Standing atop these palisades, I could look out and see acre upon acre of open pasture. And past that, acre upon acre of woodland, cut with hiking trails, ponds and wildlife.
It's not the Rockies, but it's a majestic view nonetheless. I decided to walk out across the field, something I have done in warmer weather, but never in the snow. Since I didn't have any of my rappelling gear, and since I've never rappelled before, anyway, I deemed it best to get into my car and drive down.
I hiked across the field, amazed at how much open space there is in such close proximity to downtown Danbury. Development surrounds the park. Public and parochial schools, repair garages and apartment buildings loom nearby.
But walking through that pasture, the only thing I heard was the crunchy-cereal sound of me making footprints in the snow.
There's a pond at the end of the field. Had it been a little colder, I might have been brave enough to walk out on to the ice, but the unseasonably warm temperatures kept me on shore.
I noticed on one side, at the top of a hill, a few houses overlooked the pond. I cursed them, not for their encroachment but because they have such a scenic view. Looking out the back of my apartment, all I can see is a fence and my neighbor's laundry line.
As mentioned, one of the park's biggest attractions is the Tarrywile Mansion, visible from the road, where wedding receptions and other such gala occasions are held. I get the feeling most area residents aren't even aware how much more there is to the park, other than that big house and its garden.
The park, purchased by the city in 1985, encompasses 654 acres. Deep into the woods are a few trails where people can hike, ride horses or watch birds.
I understand another feature the park is known for is its mixture of beautiful wildflowers. It being January, I didn't get to see any. But winter in the park isn't lifeless. People can, and do, snowshoe and cross-country ski across the area.
In fact, beginning at 7 a.m. on January 21, 2006, Eastern Mountain Sports is sponsoring a Winter Wonderland Walk Event at the park, with snowshoeing, to raise money for breast cancer research.
Tarrywile Park is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Its entrance is located on Southern Boulevard.
Website: www.danbury.org/tarry
About the writer: Jack Coraggio is a journalism graduate from the
University of Connecticut. Although he is not licensed in to do so, he
happily gives medical, legal and/or financial advise to anyone he feels
needs it. Typically, he never refers to himself in the third person, but
made an exception this one time.
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Read about the proposed Whitewater Park project, the revitalization of downtown, and more jobs for the region in the Discover Willimantic section.
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