New Dog Policy at Aspetuck Land Trust's Nature Preserves

Good news for dog lovers. Aspetuck Land Trust’s Board of Directors announced that the public may now resume walking leashed dogs at Aspetuck Land Trust's nature preserves. 

COVID-19 has presented many challenges for us all but we're happy to bring dogs back to our preserves.

 

The public may now resume walking leashed dogs at Aspetuck Land Trust nature preserves except those specifically reserved as wildlife refuges (find trail maps here).

That said, The Board of Director’s considers allowing members and the public to enjoy our preserves accompanied by their dogs a benefit that we can make available so long as the conditions are safe, and our habitats are properly protected.  The procedures enumerated below  will help us to achieve that.

  • Dogs must be leashed (except for the off-leash blue/white trail soon to be re-blazed pink trail, see below)

  • Leashes must be 6 feet or less

  • Dogs must be reined in when approaching other people & dogs to prevent contact

  • Pet owners must remove their pet’s waste

This leash rule applies to the Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area (except for the blue/white, soon to be pink, off-leash trail) and all other Aspetuck Land Trust Preserves. This policy goes into effect immediately but in the event Covid-19 surges again, we will put restrictions back in place as needed.

To help us keep our open spaces available and open to the public while still supporting national and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, we need your help.

When visiting our open spaces please observe the latest recommendations regarding social distancing and the wearing of masks when in close proximity to other people. If you choose to gather with friends or meet up as a group, please adhere to social distance guidelines.

  • Avoid visiting Trout Brook Valley on weekends as we don’t want to overburden our neighbors and local streets. It is illegal to park on Bradley and Freeborn Roads. If a preserve parking lot is full please proceed to another area to park and hike.

  • Please follow the latest recommendations regarding social distancing. Aspetuck Land Trust is following the guidance provided by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding the use of trails and preserves. CLICK HERE for CT DEEP guidelines.

  • Trout Brook Valley is being heavily visited right now. With so many other preserves, we suggest you visit another. Go to Aspetuck Land Trust Preserves to explore a land trust property and print your own detailed hiking map, found in each preserve description area, before you set out. We only have one map on display at the trail-heads.

NOTE to OFF-LEASH DOG WALKERS: The Land Trust is allowing off-leash dogs on the blue/white, soon to be re-blazed pink trail, only in Trout Brook Valley accessible from the Wells Hill and Freeborn Road parking areas.  We have a volunteer group of “Ambassadors” - members of the dog walking community who will maintain a clean trail and encourage the safe usage of it. This policy goes into effect immediately but in the event Covid-19 surges again, we may need to put restrictions back in place as needed.

  • Please follow one-way directional signs

  • Follow latest recommendations regarding social distancing. Aspetuck Land Trust is  following the guidance provided by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding the use of trails and preserves.  CLICK HERE for CT DEEP guidelines

Maximum 2 dogs per handler

  • Dogs must be under handler’s voice control at all times and remain near handler

  • Keep dogs on the trail

  • Pet waste & trash must be removed

  • Aspetuck Land Trust wants to thank the Ambassadors for their participation and help. Their efforts are critical to helping us make the off-leash trail work.

    Finally, please remember, the land trust is first and foremost a land preservation and conservation organization. We ask for your cooperation as we work to protect the land, wildlife, and people. It is all we can do. It is what we must all do. We will have to remain flexible if the virus returns in force. In the meantime, please enjoy our open spaces and stay safe.

    Get all the details about the new dog policy HERE.

    Our mission: The preservation and conservation of open space, including farm and forest land, and the natural resources located thereon, primarily in the towns of Easton, Weston, Fairfield and Westport, for the benefit and education of the public.

    Yes, I want to support Aspetuck Land Trust's land conservation mission.

    N
    Submitted by New Fairfield, CT

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