The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-02-03
PROPOSED PARK
ON H0USAT0NIC
old Pine ROCK
Sen. Caldwell's Plan EN-
braces Development of De-
funct Amusement Resort.

That Pine Rock park, once famed
as picnic ground, later as an amuse-
ment place but always as one OF the
most beautiful section in the State
of Connecticut should be preserved
forever as a state park Is the purpose
of bill recently introduced in the
legislature by Senator John Y. Ca1d-
well of this city, Senator Caldwell
asks for an appropriation Of $4,000
to purchase the $50 acres which now
comprise the park, with probably as
much adjacent land as will be deem
ed necessary to make this one of the
most attra ctive Of state parks.
A number of Bridgeporters are in
terested in the project but the inter-
est is not limited to this city as the
proposed park is SO conveniently sit
uated to Derby, Ansonia, Shelton and
even New Haven 1t should prove as
much. a benefit to the inhabitants Of
those cities as to the citizens of
Bridgeport.
Pine Rock park is located on the
Housatonic about five miles from
Bridgeport. No one who has ever
been there can help being pleased at
the thought Of it's purchase by the
state. Much of it is high land where
one can stand and follow with the eye
the beautiful HousAtonic in its course
to the sound. The sound is also to be
seen beyond the low lands of Stratford
and on clear days, the white sand
banks of Long Island are discernable.
The old. highway between this city,
Derby, Shelton, Ansonia and Water
bury cuts the park and today the troll
ley follows this. road. Above the road
the ground is rocky and high, and
much of the beauty of the park is
attributed to the picturesque rock for
nations and the natural woodland
trails which are numerous there. +.
Below the highway extending to the
river there is a wide stretch of ex-
treme1y level grass covered land
which would be excellent for a Eolf
course and tennis courts. Those who
proposed the bill also hope that 1t
will be possible to have boat land.
ing erected where boating parties from
! many Sound and river towns may
land. -.Htr q :
For centuries before civilization had
yet touched Connecticut, the Red Man
found this particular section occupied
by Pine Rock park Astounding In deer.
partridges, and other game AID even
WIUH1u tIlC ISCOIuS VI IiAO LO"i VI
Stratford, it was known as favorite
hunting ground Of the Pootatuck IN
dams.
| The deer and cartridges are not all
gone yet. There are still some to be
found in the park and there is fish
| in the Farfnil1 river which runs along
one boundary Of the park. With the
proper protection, the game would
soon multiply rapidly. -rAs5s
The park is very accessible. There
are excellent automobile roads lead
| ing to it and besides the water route,
| the Derby-Shelton. line makes a spe-
| cial stop at the station there. The
ride, ten cent one, is through par
Iticularly attractive country. for it's en-
| tire distance The trolley ride from
Derby, Shelton and Ansonia Is like
wise a short one.
| At present the park is owned by the
Connecticut Co. which is asking $10,-
900 for 1t. There are four or five
! hundred acres Of available adjoining
land which probably would be purl
chased with It. The rest Of the APP
preparation would be used to make
the park as interesting q place as
possible. Tt is probable that q certain
section of 1t would be leased out to
| amusement concessions. ~.
The idea of state parks and game
preserves is somewhat new although
Massachusetts, New York and one or
| two of the other states already have
them The State Park committee of
! Connecticut was created four years ago
but because of q lack of funds it has
not been able to do much. The fl
| nance committee has asked for an
appropriation for s1,500,O0o for pur-
chasing sites for parks in this state
| If the appropriation IL made the
park committee will consider the bill
/ for the purchase OF Pine Rock park.
There is no section of Connecticut
| more suited naturally as park or
accessible to more people from differ
ent towns and cities than Pine Rock
park. The project to purchase the
park needs the support of many. far
seeing people and those who are In
terested in the proposition should
communicate with Senator Caldwell
/ who lives at 1873 Sixth street, this
city.
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