Above All State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Above All State Park |
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 Above All State Park
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Warren, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 31 acres (13 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,470 ft (450 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1927 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Above All State Park |
Above All State Park is a public park in Warren, Connecticut. It's a great place to explore nature. The park doesn't have many official facilities. However, you can find informal trails to walk on. You might also see old parts of a military radar station from the Cold War. This park is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
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Park History and Changes
Above All State Park has an interesting past. It was once known for its amazing views. People have wanted to build observation towers here for a long time.
Early Plans and Park Creation
Before the American Civil War (which ended in 1865), there was a wooden tower on the peak. People used it to enjoy the views. Later, in the 1880s, someone planned a summer resort. It would have had a huge 125-foot observation tower. This tower would let visitors see very far away. But this resort was never built.
The park officially started in 1927. The family of Seymour Strong gave three acres of land to the state. Later that year, the state bought 28 more acres. By 1934, Above All was named Connecticut's 36th state park.
The Cold War Radar Site
From 1957 to 1968, the park became a military radar site. It was part of the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Air Defense Network. This system helped protect the country during the Cold War. The site was called New Preston Gap-Filler RADAR Annex P-50A /Z-50A.
It was an unmanned site. This means no people worked there all the time. It had a radar and a tower. There was also a building for the radar equipment and a generator. In 1968, a dirt road and a cinder block building were added. These were part of an upgrade to the site.
Wind Power Study
In 1981, a company called Northeast Utilities studied the park. They wanted to see if it was a good place for wind power. They put up a 65-foot tower. This tower had an anemometer (to measure wind speed) and a wind vane (to show wind direction). They used these tools to record wind data.
How the Park Got Its Name
The name "Above All" is quite fitting for this park. Writers from the 1930s said the name came from its "top of the world" feeling. It felt very isolated and high up.
Another idea comes from the Stone family. They used the land for farming. They said it was the highest working farm in all of Connecticut. So, the name "Above All" might mean it was "above all other farms" in elevation.
What to Expect at the Park Today
To get into the park, you need to go past a gate off Connecticut Route 341. The trails near the top of the park are not officially maintained. They are also not marked, so be careful when exploring. There are no restrooms or other facilities at the park.
You can still see parts of the old radar site. These include the building where the radar equipment was kept. You might also see the foundations for the radar tower. There are also supports for the generator's fuel tank. The equipment building was in good condition in 2001 and 2006. However, the radar tower and chain-link fence are now gone.
