203 acres in Lebanon, CT
Parking: A small unofficial pull off near 93 Beaumont Hwy Lebanon provides access
Trail Map Trails: None Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Pomeroy State Park is completely undeveloped and one of Connecticut’s ‘scenic reserve‘ state parks. I had driven past this park for years always seeing the rough pull-off just behind the Lebanon town sign, but never dared to pull in. I knew that there were no established hiking trails, but as is often the case with these scenic reserves I assumed there would be a few woods roads to stomp down.
I finally decided to explore Pomeroy in spring 2020 by starting at the utility corridor gate as the DEEP site formerly suggested. I walked down the powerlines hoping for an obvious start, but quickly resigned to bushwhacking. I made my way down hill past vernal pools and marshy areas towards the pull off I knew was there. Sure enough there is a perfectly suitable “driveway” with even enough room for a small car to turn around. And a woods road does continue for a few hundred feet in either direction parallel to Rt. 289.
I thought about climbing up to the summit of Bush Hill at the western edge of the park, but instead wandered up a small ridge and among some large erratics before making my way back to the powerlines.
There is a lot of potential in this park, should it ever be developed, though with almost 70 years of existence already I don’t think we should hold our breath for hiking.
Hunting
Hunting, however, is where Pomeroy State Park shines. It is a ‘Designated Fall Deer/Turkey Bowhunting Only Area’ property that is completely wild and mostly clear to maneuver.
Established as a park in 1953, it is named for Charles Pomeroy. Joseph Leary in his book A Shared Landscape claims that this was the 90 acre estate of Pomeroy. I was able to find a Charles Backus Pomeroy but this biography says that he lived on South Street in Willimantic, was “a dealer in real estate and a prominent farmer in the town of Willimantic” and “owns large tracts of real estate in and around Willimantic” which makes him a likely candidate, but he was a Sheriff and First Selectman with no mention of textiles. Perhaps I’ll contact Mr. Leary to get his source, until then we’ll just say a Pomeroy owned this land.
Connecticut A to Z – Pomeroy State Park (2016)
Charles Backus Pomeroy Biography (?)
Leary, Joseph (2004). A Shared Landscape: A Guide & History of Connecticut’s State Parks & Forests. Hartford, Conn.: Friends of the Connecticut State Parks, Inc. p. 148.
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: May 11th, 2020
Add a review