Allison M. Wilson Nature Preserve

The Allison M. Wilson Nature Preserve of approximately 83 acres is located directly west from the Guida Farm Conservation Area and is located within the Guida Farm Greenway 2020 Middletown Plan of Conservation and Development. Guida is a 99 ac open space preserve containing open fields, watercourses, wooded areas and an extensive passive recreational trail network. Together with area owned by the Middlesex Land Trust, this purchase created a preserve close to 200 acres in Middletown. The Property is also adjacent to two undeveloped and forested properties located in Durham which total another 90 acres of unprotected open space.

The property was acquired by the City of Middletown in 2021 with grant assistance from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Open Space and Watershed Acquisition Program.

The property provides opportunities for high-quality, passive recreational uses including but not limited to hiking, horseback riding, orienteering, birdwatching, letterboxing, and cross country skiing. The property has sufficient frontage on South Main Street (Route 17) to provide an off street parking lot for passive recreational users. The property has possible opportunities to connect to and extend the existing trail network at the Guida Farm Conservation area, which is an existing 99 ac open space preserve owned by the City of Middletown. Possible connections could be made using an existing access road to the City water tower. If connections cannot be made, the property itself has opportunities to provide its own trail network.

While the Eastern Border fault itself is east of Guida, there are outcrops of the rocks that formed from the pebbles and cobbles tumbling down as the central part of the state formed into a major rift valley. These conglomerate outcrops are visible at Guida, east of Coleman Road, and where Maple Shade Road takes a sudden bend. Loose rocks of this type are also frequently found. It is likely that outcrops are located on the property but with much of the property being overgrown, underlying rocks are not visible.

The land acquisition protects a core forested area that provides a habitat that includes mature forest, overgrown fields, second growth forests, wetlands, small waterbodies, and vernal pools. The land is flush with a diverse mix of native plant and animal species.

The vegetative growth in the understory includes but is not limited to ferns, moss, phragmities, great bulrush (Scirpus calidus), pryola, and wildflowers that include yarrow, butter and eggs, clover and wild germanium. There are low growing vines, saplings, and shrubs that include winterberry, elderberry, and blackberry bushes. The tree canopy consists of many older oak trees with at least at least 1.5-4’ in diameter. Other tree species identified were birch, white birch, hickory black cherry and maple.

The wildlife that has been heard or observed on the property include but is not limited to red tailed hawks, wood thrush, swallows, painted turtles, green frogs, coyote and deer. Evidence of painted turtle trails and deer trails was identified.

The property provides very clear and open view to the west where Powder Ridge is visible. The ridgeline is visible in the distance. It also provides views of Hartford to the north.

The most valuable resources that this property offers is for passive recreational use, wildlife habitat and core forest preservation.