Windsor Locks Canal State Park

Windsor Locks Canal State Park

Connecticut State Park

4.5 miles in Suffield and Windsor Locks, CT

Parking:

• North End: Medium lot near near 1212-1100 Canal Rd  Suffield, CT
• South End: Small lot near Main St and Opp Oak St, Windsor Locks, CT

Trail Map          Trails: 4.5 miles        Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Windsor Locks Canal State Park is one of the state’s linear parks which runs about 4.5 miles from Rt. 190 south to Rt. 140.  The paved path is a popular destination for casual strolls and bike rides.  It is usually closed from November to March 31st and occasionally closes in the summer for nesting bald eagles.

From the main north end parking area the trail heads off to the left over to a ramp that curves up onto Veteran’s Bridge (which extends the trail about 0.7 miles) and off to the right to enter the actual canal trail.  From the rusting initial lock you walk over a short bridge to a viewing platform of the Connecticut River and enter the narrow spit of land that holds the trail.

The path is flat with trees lining the edge and occasional views of the river or the canal.  About halfway between the two parking areas is a good view of King’s Island where Millerite Dewitt Terry held gathering anticipating the end of days.  I found it hard to justify walking the length of the trail so quickly turned around.  I aim to return with a bike and do the full length.

History:

The Windsor Locks Canal was constructed from 1827 to 1829 and operated until 1839 when a railroad was built on the opposite side of the Connecticut River.

The first push to turn the former tow footpath into a park was in the 1970s when, then State Senate majority leader, Cornelius O’Leary campaigned for one of his favorite childhood spots.  It took negotiating with Dexter Corp. who owned the actual canal, the DEEP to assume liability for the trail, and conservationists worried about the eagle nesting grounds on the banks of the Connecticut River.

In 1989 the state approved $2.75 million in fund to purchase land for the park

• 1989 The state already owned 3.5 acres near the Enfield Dam
• 1994 First major purchase of unknown acres
• 1996 – 28 acres in Suffield

The pathway was paved in 1998 by the DOT contracted to Costello Industries out of Newington for $659,000.

Links:

• Windsor Locks Canal Trail Friends
• CTMQ – TSTL’16.8: Windsor Locks Canal Trail State Park (2016)
• Peter Marteka – A River Flows Past On Windsor Locks Canal Trail (2016)
• Peter Marteka – A Towpath Along A Canal (2008)
• Peter Marteka – Windsor Locks Canal Trail Is A Friendly Universe (2004)

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Last updated September 28th, 2020