The public is invited to enjoy an afternoon outdoors with Newtown Forest Association at one of Newtown's most scenic locations.

On Saturday, May 7, at 1 pm, the public is invited to the Nettleton Preserve Memorial Orchard dedication to celebrate a seasons-long project of clearing and restoring the property and its orchard at 13 Castle Hill Road.

According to NewtownForestAssociation.org, "This flowering woodland with rolling meadows … has been designed and created as a place of quiet reflection."

Afternoon activities will include a dedication tree planting, wildflower seed spreading, along with guided and self-guided walks through the property's wooded paths. Parking is along Old Castle Drive or in the lower parking lot of Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street.

Sandy Hook Memorial Tree Project provided funding.

NFA acquired the 26-acre property through Arthur T. Nettleton's estate in 1973, and in recent years began reclaiming fields and a flowering fruit tree orchard choked by 35 years of growth. The effort to reclaim the orchard began in late 2014 with tree and brush clearing.

The NFA is a private non-profit organization and is entirely funded by private donors and supporters. The NFA is all volunteer-run and uses part-time interns and a part-time caretaker to maintain its preserves. 　The NFA appreciates  your membership, contributions to the land acquisition fund, or the general fund which is used to maintain all properties. Learn more at NewtownForestAssociation.org.