Mono Pond State Park Reserve

Connecticut’s Mono Pond State Park Reserve is a true gem. Just 25 miles east of Hartford, the state’s capital, this reserve once offered 218 acres of forested serenity—from lowland blueberry swamps to rocky foothills.

In 2020, an opportunity came about to grow the reserve into something even more special. Adjacent to the reserve were 403 acres at risk of future development, and, rather than rolling the dice and hoping for the best, Trust for Public Land worked with the local community to permanently secure that land for the public. Collaborating with the State of Connecticut and the communities of Columbia, Lebanon, and Hebron, we came together to triple the size of this park.

This opened up new experiences for visitors to discover and travel a variety of trails, linking the park to one of Connecticut’s few long-distance trails, the Air Line State Park Trail. The trail spans more than 50 miles, connecting walkers, hikers, equestrians, and bikers with nature and each other. It also helps conserve biodiversity by allowing wildlife to migrate freely and providing habitat for herons, woodpeckers, deer, and many other animals.

The expansion came together in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic—when much of the nation was in lockdown. Today, the reserve offers locals and visitors alike even more space to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and appreciate the natural beauty that Connecticut has to offer.

Looking ahead, there’s an opportunity to add yet another 600 acres to this reserve—bringing its footprint to about 1,200 acres. And with the right effort and team in place, we’re confident that this will become a reality.