Grab your sleds: Where you can bring family for snowy, winter fun in Eastern Connecticut
Fresh snowfall and a brand-new sled. Name a more iconic duo.
Eastern Connecticut is in the thick of winter. We've already had a few snowstorms with more on the horizon, including this weekend's upcoming doozy. For families with kids or folks looking to enjoy the weather, where can you go to start sledding?
While we can't account for every backyard hill or hidden slope, there are more than a few public spots you can bring the family to in Eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. Here are the places we managed to find, along with some other fun facts or activities they might offer.
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Norwich Golf Course
The Norwich Golf Course has been a popular sledding destination in the Rose of New England for generations, opening in 1926. The city of Norwich is happy to share the land with locals and their families. Mind the lawn!
Ledyard Middle School
You'll find one of Ledyard's prime sledding spots at the town's middle school, located at 1860 CT-12 in Gales Ferry. Your kids are likely to find their classmates having fun alongside them. Check out the Thames River just across the way, while you're at it!
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Horsebarn Hill at UConn
If you live by the University of Connecticut, then you already know about Horsebarn Hill. Climbing to the top will give you a beautiful view of campus before sledding all the way down. You might find more than a few college students joining in on the fun. Be careful for the fences.
Wilcox Park in Westerly, RI
Just across the border, Wilcox Park has plenty of space to bust our your sled and have some fun. The park was donated in 1898 by Harriet Wilcox, and sits with the town's library. Make sure to swing by during the summer months, too, for some beautiful flora and fauna.
Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London
Along with being a fantastic museum, the Lyman Allyn destination also has a wonderful spot for sledding. There's plenty of space for the whole family, as well as opportunities for other activities like small group workshops, Saturday programs, and rotating exhibits.
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Veterans Memorial Park in Jewett City
A popular destination for Griswold's town events, the Veterans Memorial Park is a great choice for sledding once the snow has fallen. Located on Ashland Street, your kids will have a wide choice of hills to choose from along with a playground to enjoy (unless it's snowed in).
Roseland Park's Golf Course in Woodstock
As our friends over at The Last Green Valley have said, "Roseland Park’s Golf Course Hills, in scenic Woodstock, offers great hills for sledding." You'll find plenty of room to bring the family and carve out your own slope. All they ask is to be respectful to the land and to "take care of the hills as if they were your own!"
King's Hill in Putnam
A cozy spot off King Street, King's Hill makes for a great sledding destination. You'll have to park on the street, so be wary of fresh snowfall.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Take advantage of the snow and go sledding. Where in CT, RI to go
