1856-1859
Sometime
between 1856 and 1860, the town of Hamden leased Enos Brooks’ farm
on Brooksvale Avenue to be used as a “poor farm”.
In 1860 Enos Brooks died and willed the farm to the town with a
life lease for his wife Roxana, for the sum of $100.00
annually. For a period of
time between 1860 and 1880 Roxana did not live in the farmhouse.
She returned in 1880 and died on the farm shortly thereafter
and is buried at Central Burying Ground.
1901
In October of
1901 major renovations were made to the farmhouse.
1947
The park
officially becomes known as Brooksvale Park.
This name obviously comes from the name of the family that
donated the land - Brooks- and a term for a small valley that
encompasses the park - a vale.
At this time
private landscapers are also hired to help with the maintenance of the
grounds.
1958
In this year,
the town turned over the park to the Department of Parks &
Recreation.
1960
The town
re-dedicates Brooksvale Park to nature recreation, reflecting the
growing popularity of outdoor activities for individuals and families.
1963-1998
Ranger Jim
Grandy is hired and moves in as caretaker. (More on this history
to come...)
1999
Vinny
Lavorgna is hired as the new park ranger upon Jim Grandy’s
retirement and move to Vermont Renovation work of the farmhouse begins to bring it up to date
and up to fire and building codes so Ranger Vinny (as he's soon to be
known) and family can live there.
2000
Brings the 1st
Annual Brooksvale Festival, a joint effort by the Town of Hamden and
the Department of Parks & Recreation to highlight the beautiful
park and the opportunities for both recreation and education in this
fabulous outdoor environment. Music
featuring local bands and others, nature crafts, CT Department of Environmental Protection Displays,
Pony Rides, Hayrides, and great food are just some of the highlights of the
festival.
2004
On May 23 of
2004 the Charter Meeting of the Friends of Brooksvale Park was held in
the loft of the big red barn. The
non-profit (501)(C)(3) organization provides environmental education,
preserves and enhances the integrity of the park’s natural and
cultural resources, and serves as an advocate for the park for the
benefit of the citizens in the greater Hamden area.
Volunteer members assist the park staff at the Annual
Brooksvale Festival each autumn as well as contributing time and
energy on National Trails Day in June to help maintain existing trails
at the park and improve its overall appearance.
Through open communication and dialogue, FOB works to encourage
town officials to responsibly support the park both physically and
financially, as it is one of the most valuable assets the town has to
offer its residents.
2005
The Friends
of Brooksvale holds it's first Bake Sale booth at the annual
Brooksvale Festival to rave reviews.
2006
The Friends
of Brooksvale debuts a child size "I'm a Friend of
Brooksvale" T-shirt at the annual festival to the delight of
parents and kids alike. FOB also kicks-off a Photo Contest with
cash prizes. FOB helps out with the Annual Maple
Sugaring Day open to the public, CT Trails Day in June and the
Brooksvale festival in October.
A
wreath-making workshop to raise funds for the park is initiated the
first Sunday in December and 65 people participated. We
had to turn people away!
2007
Sadly in the
spring we received news that former ranger Jim Grandy passed
away. At a memorial service organized by the family, many
extended their sympathies to his daughter April and extended family.
In May Photography
Contest winners are announced and the winning photos are posted on the
website.
September
- FOB holds the first ever Brooksvale Barn Dance with approximately 70
in attendance. The Fiddleheads accompanied by caller Jim Gregory
provide the music, FOB provides refreshments.
An Owl Prowl
led by naturalist and FOB member Tom Parlapiano was held in early November
and over 100 adults and children attended. Though the owls
remained shy as everyone trekked through the park, Tom's teaching
about the owls who call Brooksvale home and the night out in the crisp
fresh air was enjoyed by all.
2008
March
winds were not present for kite flying but the rains did come. For the first
time in 8 years Maple Sugaring Day Open to the Public was rained
out! Bummer. In the transition year though to a new sugar
maker, all went well and over 500 children came through the
educational program.
April
brings with it the influx of wild animals into many of Hamden's
neighborhoods. To help everyone learn more about 2 of special
concern, Paul Rego of CT DEP talked about Bears & Coyotes
on the 24th. FOB also participated in Hamden's 2nd Annual Earth
Day Celebration at HMS on April 26, 2008 The FOB booth and it's new
Touch & Feel Box proved popular with young and old alike.
In May
everyone enjoyed cake and coffee for FOB's 5th Birthday at
the May 8 Annual Meeting. Guest speaker and member Mike Lockett
presented a fascinating program on his hike of the entire length of
the Appalachian Trail.
September
brought the 2nd Annual Brooksvale Barn Dance on the 12th with 58 brave
souls coming out in the torrential rains. FOB "broke
even" this year by keeping the event simple and fun. Caller
Bill Fischer and the Fiddleheads were received by all with a rousing
good time and dancers asked FOB, "When will you do it
again?"
Geology
A geologic
feature called a drumlin is located near the northern end of
the blue trail. A drumlin is a mound created by the piling up of
glacial till around a knob of bedrock.
There are
also glacial erratics in the park. These are large rocks
deposited on the landscape by melting glaciers. Erratics are
located behind the duck pond at the trailhead of the Violet trail, and
the on the trail west of the Picnic Pavilion.
The "hidden
pond" is above the Veteran's Memorial Building on the White
Trail and formed by a man-made dam on the Hickory Brook.
There are stonewalls along the trails in the park, reminders of
the days when Brooksvale Park was active farmland.
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