Date: Fri 30-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Holcombe-Hill-trails

Full Text:

New Trails Open To The Public on Holcombe Hill

(with cut)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Several new trails are now open to the public on the Holcombe Hill property

off Great Hill Road. A mounted map near the front entrance shows hikers,

bikers and horse riders the way.

The 86-acre site was willed to the Newtown Forest Association this past year

by the late Josephine H. Holcombe. The land rises 830 feet above sea level

making it the highest point in Newtown and one of the highest in the area.

The Holcombe property is full of trails, has a pond, and boasts some of the

best views in Fairfield County. It makes for a great place to star gaze.

The forest association has created parking spaces near the front entrance of

the property (55 Great Hill Road). Access to the top of the hill by motor

vehicle is limited, but residents are welcome to walk up. There are four

different types of trails.

Perimeter Trail: Designed by Boy Scout Scott Maxwell, this is a single path

trail through the woods. It features a small brook and stone walls to cross.

Meadow Trail: This trail is mowed and circles around the border of the

property's beautiful open fields. It is ideal for jogging or walking.

Vista Tail: This shorter trail circles the property's highest point and

features beautiful 360-degree views.

Access Road: This trail allows hikers to walk through the woods on a wider,

clearer path.

Forest association member Wesley Gillingham said many residents are beginning

to discover this hiker's heaven. In fact, several cars were parked in the

small lot this past weekend as hikers took advantage of the few remaining warm

days of the year.

Mr Gillingham said the trails are ideal for mountain bikers and should be good

for cross country skiing this winter.

Mrs Holcombe, who lived on the hill since 1938, also gave acreage to the

forest association in 1967 (14 acres) and 1987 (66 acres). The association was

also given $25,000 and the buildings on the property, which it is using for

its headquarters, maintenance equipment storage, as well as security.

Mrs Holcombe's husband, the late William Holcombe, was a first selectman

during the 1940s and served the community in many ways until his death in

1983.

Mrs Holcombe also gave 26 acres of land to the Danbury Hospital Trust Fund,

Inc, including 8.1 acres fronting Great Hill Road and another 18.2 around the

corner on Birch Hill Road (at a depth of 300 feet back). According to John

Hoffer, hospital trust fund president, there is a plan to move ownership of

the land to an anonymous buyer, who has no intention of developing the land.

From the top of Holcombe Hill, an observer can see New Milford and the

Litchfield Hills to the north, and to the east, Newtown's landscape with

Southbury and the Oxford Airport off in the distance. At one time, Holcombe

Hill featured a glimpse of Long Island Sound to the south, but an overgrowth

of trees over the past 50 years has obstructed the view.

The Holcombes once offered a large building on the property to the town, but

were turned down and the building was eventually torn down.

The Newtown Forest Association is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation

established to collect and hold donations of land as open space. It is the

oldest land trust in Connecticut. Several conservation-minded residents formed

the NFA in 1923, setting an example for several other towns to follow. There

are currently about 95 land trusts in Connecticut.

The gates at the foot of the hill are usually closed. Those who need to drive

to the top can contact Wes Gillingham, in advance by calling 426-5630.