River Highlands State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Highlands State Park |
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View from the western ridge of the Connecticut River in River Highlands State Park.
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 River Highlands State Park
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Cromwell, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 177 acres (72 ha) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1995 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | River Highlands State Park |
River Highlands State Park is a fun place to visit outdoors. It's a public park found on the west side of the Connecticut River. This park is in the town of Cromwell, Connecticut. It covers about 177 acres of land. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection takes care of the park.
Discover River Highlands State Park
River Highlands State Park is a great spot for nature lovers. It offers amazing views of the Connecticut River. The park is a perfect place to explore the outdoors. You can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature here.
A Look Back: The Park's Story
The land where the park is now has an interesting past. Long ago, this bend in the river was called "the blow hole." Sailors said that whistling winds here would make their ships go faster. This special wind sound stopped sometime in the middle of the 1900s. The river bend slowly filled up with sand and dirt.
The land used to belong to the Ulia Allegretti family. In 1995, the family sold the land to the state of Connecticut. The state used money from a special fund to buy open spaces. They paid about $1,195,000 for the land. River Highlands State Park officially opened to the public in 2001.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
River Highlands State Park has many activities for visitors. You can go for a hike on the park's trails. These trails also offer beautiful views of the river. If you like adventure, you can even go mountain biking on some trails.
The park is also one of a few state parks where boaters can camp. This is called "primitive camping." It means you can set up a basic camp without many facilities. It's a great way to experience nature up close.
