Chase Reservoir
365 acres in Killingly, CT
Parking: Room for two cars near 233 Pratt Road Dayville, CT or seasonally near 68 Pratt Road Dayville, CT
Trail Map Trails: 2.5 miles Rating: ★★☆☆☆
From the small pull-off on Pratt Road, the trail for Chase Reservoir is overgrown and grassy. Trudging through thigh-high grass and ducking under leafy branches I was preparing to write this off as another forgotten town park.
That is until I came out on a wide dirt track. At first I thought it was great until I quickly realized that despite the ‘Hiking Access Only’ signs at the trailheads, ATVs have made this trail their own. Heading south reaches the edge of Chase Reservoir and on a sunny day you’ll hear turtles plop back into the water as you pass. Upon reaching a pine grove you’ll find a seldom used fire ring and access to the clear waters of the reservoir. I believe the southbound trail used to end here, but has been cut inland by the ATVs and connects to Chestnut Hill Rd, although I turned around early.
Heading north is a similar wide path with huge rutted and muddy sections carved by ATVs. The trail eventually reaches a gate at the top of Chestnut Hill Rd which ATVs have also sidestepped around.
The 71.1 acre lake (not to be confused with the nearby Alvia Chase Reservoir) is beautiful and quiet and a larger trail network would really showcase this property including the property above Chestnut Hill Rd.
History:
Established as a town park in 2004 the land was donated by the Crystal Water Company of Danielson. A thorough history can be read here.
Links:
- DEEP Aquatic Plant Survey of Chase Reservoir
- Kayaking with Lou – Chase Reservoir (archive link 2018)
- Doug McGrady – List of Plants Found in a 2012 Survey
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Last updated July 9th, 2018
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