Whitehall Park and Forest
38 acres in Ledyard, CT
Parking: Small lot near 990 Shewville Rd, Ledyard, CT
Trail Map Trails: 0.75 miles Rating: ★★☆☆☆
The trails here are short at only 3/4 of a mile and most were edging on overgrown. I started out crossing the bridge into the narrow trails amid a thicket. Picking my way carefully through the vines and bushes encroaching on the trail finally looped me up to the main path.
The main path is from the parking area up to the high ledge overlook. It is the easiest to pass but the overlook is an entirely forested view past a rough fence. While it is a high the ledge is just a very steep hill down into deeper forest. While not technically wrong, don’t get too excited about it.
The real draw here is the natural stone throne. You would think the main path would be to this, but if it weren’t for the utility corridor it would be a narrow nearly overgrown path as well. The rock is impressive and is fun to climb atop and sit for a stretch. The “throne” is about three feet high with a tall back and for me it was less of a throne and more of a lounge chair. It seems like it should, but it doesn’t provide any views and is encircled by a close border of poison ivy.
The one decent view in the park is just up the hill from the stone throne along the utility corridor looking down towards farm fields.
History:
The property was donated to the town by Sidney and Marian Hall, the “White” comes from Marian Hall’s maiden name. The Ledyard town site calls it White-Hall Park which may have been its more official name, but everywhere else calls it Whitehall, even the kiosk at the park.
The entrance to the park was once park of the Norwich & Westerly Railway which opened in 1906.
The Whitehall Preserve was designated a National Wildlife Fund Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Links:
Peter Marteka – A Forest Where All Can Sit On A Throne (2018)
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Last updated August 9th, 2019
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