Dennis Hill State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dennis Hill State Park |
|
|---|---|
Picnic pavilion overlooking
the park's southeast perimeter |
|
 Dennis Hill State Park
Location in Connecticut
|
|
| Location | Norfolk, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 240 acres (97 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,621 ft (494 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1935 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Dennis Hill State Park |
|
Tamarack Lodge Bungalow
|
|
.JPG)
Tamarack Bungalow on Dennis Hill
|
|
| Location | Dennis Hill State Park, Norfolk, Connecticut |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Alfredo S.G. Taylor |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001499 |
| Added to NRHP | September 16, 1977 |
Dennis Hill State Park is a fun place to visit in Norfolk, Connecticut. It used to be the private home of a doctor named Frederic Shepard Dennis. Today, it's a public park where you can go hiking, have a picnic, and enjoy amazing views. The park is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Contents
What Can You Do at Dennis Hill?
The park is located in southern Norfolk. You can find its main entrance off Connecticut Route 272. A road leads you to a picnic area, perfect for a family lunch.
Hiking and Summit Views
Further up the hill, you'll find a parking area. From here, you can start your adventure on the hiking trails. Dennis Hill stands tall at about 1,627 feet (496 meters) above sea level.
The top of the hill is cleared, giving you wide-open views of the surrounding hills. It's a great spot to take photos! At the summit, there are small shelters and a large building called a bungalow.
The Historic Tamarack Bungalow
The bungalow is a stone building with a special metal roof. It was first built in 1909 as a summer lodge. This means it was a fancy vacation home.
Today, the inside of the bungalow is mostly empty. But it's still an important example of old summer homes in the area. This building, also known as the Tamarack Lodge Bungalow, is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
History of Dennis Hill Park
The land that makes up Dennis Hill State Park is about 240 acres (97 hectares). This land once belonged to a successful doctor named Frederic S. Dennis (1850-1934). Dr. Dennis lived in New York City but spent his summers in Norfolk for many years.
Dr. Dennis's Summer Estate
He called his summer home "Tamarac." In 1908, he hired a famous architect named Alfredo S.G. Taylor to design the bungalow you see at the top of Dennis Hill. Dr. Dennis often invited important people to his estate.
Some of his famous guests included Andrew Carnegie, who was a very rich steel businessman. Even President William Howard Taft visited, along with a famous music conductor named Walter Damrosch.
How it Became a State Park
In 1935, Dr. Dennis generously gave his entire estate to the state of Connecticut. This gift allowed everyone to enjoy the beautiful views and nature that he loved so much. That's how Dennis Hill became a state park for all to visit!
Images for kids
-
Picnic pavilion overlooking the park's southeast perimeter
-
Tamarack Bungalow on Dennis Hill
