Collis P. Huntington State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Collis P. Huntington State Park
Collis P. Huntington State Park Location in Connecticut
Location	Redding, Newtown & Bethel, Connecticut, United States
Area	883 acres (357 ha)
Elevation	791 ft (241 m)
Designation	Connecticut state park
Established	1973
Administrator	Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Website	Huntington State Park

Collis P. Huntington State Park is a fun outdoor area in Connecticut. It covers over 1000 acres in the towns of Redding, Newtown, and Bethel. When you visit, you'll see cool sculptures of bears and wolves right at the entrance. These were made by a famous artist named Anna Hyatt Huntington.

The park is named after Collis Potter Huntington, a very important railroad builder. His family later gave this land to the state. Today, the park has many trails for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection takes care of the park.

Park History: From Private Estate to Public Park

Early Days and Improvements

In the late 1800s, this land was a private estate. It belonged to a wealthy New York banker and sailor named Commodore Walther Luttgen. He added many special features to the land. He built roads and trails, and even created artificial ponds. You can still see a small stone lighthouse he built near one of the ponds!

New Owners and a Famous Artist

After Commodore Luttgen passed away in 1922, a man named Joseph E. Sterrett bought the estate. His large house, Villa Linta, later burned down. Then, in 1939, Archer M. Huntington bought the land. He was the stepson of Collis Potter Huntington.

Archer and his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, moved to the estate. They renamed it "Stanerigg." Anna was a very talented artist known for her realistic animal sculptures. Archer was a poet and loved Spanish culture. They lived there and worked on their creative projects.

Opening to the Public

The park officially opened to everyone in 1973. This happened after Anna Huntington passed away. Now, people can enjoy the beautiful land that was once a private estate.

Things to Do and See at the Park

Outdoor Activities for Everyone

Collis P. Huntington State Park offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. You can go hiking on its many trails. If you like to ride, you can go mountain biking or horseback riding. In winter, some trails are perfect for cross-country skiing. Part of the Aspetuck Valley Trail also runs through the park.

The park has ponds where you can go canoeing or fishing. If you are interested in hunting, there is a special season for deer hunting with a bow and arrow. You can bring your pets, but they must always be on a leash.

Cool Rocks and Minerals

The park is also a great place to learn about geology. In the northern part of the park, you can find a type of rock called pegmatite. People used to mine this rock for minerals like mica and feldspar. You might even spot cool crystals like Tourmaline here!

Park Access and Facilities

There is no fee to enter Collis P. Huntington State Park, so it's free to visit! The park has basic restrooms near the Old Dodgingtown Road entrance.

Images for kids

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  Tourmaline (the black crystal) in a Pegmatite rock.