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    Captain George Comer Memorial State Park

    • Trails
      3 miles
    • Rating
      ★★☆☆☆
    • Address
      Captain G. Comer Memorial State Park, 00126350, East Haddam, CT 06423, USA
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    At A Glance

    Captain George Comer Memorial State Park / Harris Reserve

    Connecticut State Park / East Haddam Land Trust

    1.8 acres in East Haddam, CT

    Parking: Small lot near 00126350, East Haddam, CT

    Trail Map           Trails: 3 miles            Rating: ★★☆☆☆

    Hiking

    Comer State Park

    This state park is one of Connecticut’s smallest and features a massive boulder right next to the road affixed with a plaque dedicated to the titular captain.  The plaque reads:

    TO THE MEMORY OF
    CAPTAIN GEORGE COMER
    ABLE SEAMAN   ARCTIC MARINER
    NAVIGATOR OF THE SEVEN SEAS
    1858        1937

    There are a couple picnic tables and barbecue pits set off among the trees and thats really it.

    Harris Reserve

    If you walk through the gap in the stone wall of the state park parking you can access the Harris Reserve with its three miles of trails.

    I started off on the blue trail at the side of the community garden.  It follows the stonewall edge of an agricultural field through thick invasives.  The trail was easy enough to pass in December, but I bet most of the trails here get pretty narrow in summer growth.

    I hopped on the white trail to the orange trail to do what seems to be the main loop, but missed the vista highlight over on the red trail.  The orange trail was very easy walking with just enough terrain change to stay interesting.  Not much to note in the forested walk stone stream crossing marked on the map has been upgraded to an overbuilt bridge.  After recent heavy rains the stream had a beautiful clear shallow pool and tiny cascade.

    The trail then meanders back to Old Mt. Parnassus Road and the parking areas.

    History

    The memorial was unveiled on Saturday June 4, 1938 to a crowd of 200 as a special tribute to the explorer who had passed away in 1937.  Speakers included Mrs. Edward Stafford daughter of Admiral Peary, Dr. Cushman Murphy of the Museum of Natural History, and Governor Cross.

    Links

    Peter Marteka – A visit to an East Haddam preserve and a memorial to a whaling captain (2019)

    “Late Arctic Explorer Is Paid Tribute.” Hartford Courant, 5 June 1938, p. 2.

    Tags
    • ★★☆☆☆
    • 2020
    • Explored
    • East Haddam
    • East Haddam Land Trust
    • Middlesex County
    • Peter Marteka
    • State Park
    Last Updated

    The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents. Last updated: December 27th, 2020

    Trail Map
    Location
    • Captain G. Comer Memorial State Park, 00126350, East Haddam, CT 06423, USA

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