Mashamoquet Brook State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mashamoquet Brook State Park |
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Location | Pomfret, Connecticut, United States |
Area | 917 acres (371 ha) |
Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
Designation | Connecticut state park |
Established | 1918 |
Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
Website | Mashamoquet Brook State Park |
Mashamoquet Brook State Park is a fun outdoor place in Pomfret, Connecticut. It's a great spot for families and friends to enjoy nature. This park has cool historical sites and unique rock formations. You can also do many activities like camping and swimming here. The park is looked after by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
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Discover Mashamoquet Brook State Park
Mashamoquet Brook State Park is a large natural area. It covers over 900 acres of land. The park is known for its beautiful brook and tall hemlock trees. It's a perfect place to explore and learn about nature.
A Look at the Park's Past
The park started small in 1918. A woman named Sarah Fay gave 11.5 acres of land to the state. This land included a pretty gorge with a stream.
Later, in 1925, more land was added. This new part included the famous Wolf Den. This site is known for a legend about Israel Putnam. He was a hero who supposedly fought a wolf here long ago. The Daughters of the American Revolution group bought the Wolf Den in 1899.
Over the years, more land was donated and bought. This helped the park grow to its current large size. The Hotchkins Wolf Den Farm was a big addition in 1957. All these efforts made the park what it is today.
What Can You Do at the Park?
Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers many exciting activities. It's a great place to spend a day or even a weekend.
- Camping: You can set up a tent and sleep under the stars.
- Swimming: Cool off in the park's swimming areas during warm weather.
- Fishing: Try to catch some fish in the brook.
- Picnicking: Enjoy a meal outdoors with your family and friends.
Explore Famous Park Features
The park has some very special places to visit. These spots are both historical and natural wonders.
The Wolf Den
The Wolf Den is a national historic site. It's famous for the story of Israel Putnam. He was a brave general during the American Revolution. The legend says he crawled into this den to kill a wolf that was bothering local farmers. It's a cool place to imagine history!
Brayton Grist Mill
The Brayton Grist Mill is another interesting feature. A grist mill is a place where grain was ground into flour. This mill shows how people used to live and work many years ago.
Unique Rock Formations
The park also has amazing natural rock formations. These include:
- Table Rock: A large, flat rock that looks like a giant table.
- Indian Chair: A rock shaped like a chair. These formations were created by nature over thousands of years.