This fourth of July weekend, Colin and I ventured south into Connecticut for a new hiking getaway- enter Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park in the lovely Meriden, Connecticut. Although there was plenty of parking space within the park, it appeared as though many other people had the same holiday idea as us, and nearly the entire lot was full. Luckily, the park entrance also has space for parking (if you don’t mind a bit of a pre-hiking hike).
Once you reach the trails, you are greeted by a beautiful view of Bradley Hubbard reservoir, as well as a sign with trail maps and a tiny library declaring, “Give What You Can, Take What You Need”. For the two of us, this hike was certainly much needed. The trail begins as a beautiful rusty red path, flanked on either side by various species of tall green trees. As you hike on, the roots of the trees begin to cover more and more of the path until you are walking on a pavement entirely made of buttress roots. You then enter the forest a little deeper, and the roots give way to soil and emerald moss-covered rocks. After turning the corner around the lake, the path unexpectedly becomes a rocky mountainside, allowing a perfect view of the water below.
Overall, Giuffrida Park was a mix of terrain and pleasant surprises and we will certainly be visiting again.
