Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

Manchester CT

21 January, 2022

3:55 PM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — Talk about a Hidden Gem ... State Rep. Jason Doucette and Connecticut House Majority Leader Jason Rojas actually called Center Springs Park in Manchester that very thing at a public event last week. And it certainly is. Located at 38 Lodge Drive in Manchester, Center Springs Park might be hidden, but it also connects the Downtown area with the Cheney trail system. On a regional scale, one could even connect to Bolton Notch and eventually to Willimantic or Vernon via the park on foot or cycling. Outdoors hub aside, Center Springs Park offers one of the best sledding hills in north-central Connecticut, a easy walking loop, a pond for fishing and a soon-to-be renovated amphitheater. It also features a gazebo, observation patio, picnic areas, Little League sized baseball field and a basketball court and one of Manchester Mayor Jay Moran's favorites — a disc golf course. State officials thought so much of it that $3 million is being invested in Center Springs Park for renovations via the State Bond Commission. In all, the park measures 55.78 acres. The land was donated in 1915 by the Cheney and Hilliard families and the park was established six years later. The bridge to the Cheney trail system and the historic district is across the street from the main entrance. The sledding hill at Center Springs Park (top) and the Lodge Street entrance. (Chris Dehnel/Patch) ____ The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to [email protected] columns in this series:2022 MLK MonumentsThe Connecticut Historical Society 2021 and earlier: The Bridge At Bolton NotchCivil War DrumCivil War Powder KegMile 4, Manchester Road RaceThe West Hartford ArmoryThe Capitol's Nooks and CranniesWickham Park Aviary55 West Main, New BritainBottle and Can Redemption CentersThe Dodd Center for Human Rights at UConnManchester Ropes Challenge Course4-H Education Center at AuerfarmFuego Picante Food TruckThe AmistadThe 9/11 memorialsClub Champion Golf FittersGolden Irene RestaurantAvery's SodaPetersen Flower FarmR Dee WineryGolden Gavel Auction HouseThe Cogswell Temperance FountainThe Old State HouseBouNom BakeryUnion Pond Park/Jay Howroyd Fitness TrailCedar Knob Restaurant & BanquetsUConn Dairy BarTopstone Golf CourseBackwoods Smokin' BBQThe Ranch HouseFoster Hill FarmEmma Hart Willard BirthplaceConnecticut Parachutists Skydiving ClubJust Be SalonTail Winds Ice Cream ShopThe MLK MuralThe Hilltop Restaurant and BarFrancesco's RistoranteThe Modern MilkmanCotton Hollow KitchenFearless Cards, Toys and CollectiblesFork & FireLena's Italian KitchenSouthwood Antiques & MarketplaceSwank PearceVernon Depot Historic ParkFarr's Sporting GoodsRobs Drivin DinerPowder Mill BarnAt the DamLena's RestaurantThe Genius of ConnecticutThe NotchLuAnn's BakeryEcker Hill Disc Golf CourseThe Kona Ice TruckOlympia DinerMountain DairyAnthony Jacks Wood-Fired GrillPabs African RestaurantHenry's PizzeriaSouth Windsor Wildlife SanctuaryThe Country ButcherAby's BakeryLiberty Street Market & DeliWilderness Lake Campground and ResortTime Machine toy and hobby storePaul Gregory's Bistro CafeThe ScoopCheney Brothers National Historic Landmark DistrictFaddy's Donuts and Ice CreamRiverfront Miniature Golf & Ice CreamThe Historic Babcock TavernHigh Grade FinishingCraig's KitchenSikorsky S-16 Bi-Plane FighterNavy ZNP-K Airship Control CarRosedale Farms & VineyardsNathan Hale HomesteadBurke Ridge FarmsNecker's ToylandCivil War Monument at Mt. Hope CemeteryGene Pitney Memorial BenchesJoe McCluskey/Manchester Road Race StatueSamuel Field Knight Historic MarkerCarol's LunchboxCountry CasualsDakota RestaurantCountry CobblerBeau's Burger ShackDaniel Glazier TavernMount Southington Ski SchoolAwards & MoreMarquis de Lafayette MonumentThe Little Red StoreRiver Bend BookshopGerry's DonutsTraveler RestaurantFirst Decorated Christmas TreeThe Stanley-Whitman HouseVernon's Santa HouseVintage Radio and Communications Museum of ConnecticutOld Country Banquet HallBrazilian Gula GrillThomas' Smokey Pit StopCongregational Church of Burlington labyrinthNoah Webster HouseThe Bushnell's Green Room WallBelding Wildlife Management AreaThe Aborn CastleHeublein TowerBirthplace of Jonathan EdwardsGrave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman BakerJessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream ShackShade Swamp SanctuaryKen's Corner Breakfast & LunchTolland Red and WhiteThe Packing HouseCold Harbor SeafoodNye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove ParkHosmer Mountain Soda ShackConnecticut Trolley MuseumMatterhorn Mini GolfWood Memorial Library & MuseumHastings FarmLiquid NirvanaIwo Jima Survivors Memorial ParkAcademy HallSouthington Drive-InLittle Theatre of Manchester at Cheney HallSomersvillage Gifts & Gourmet BasketsNew England Civil War MuseumThe Pinchot SycamoreStafford Palace TheaterMansfield Hollow State ParkOld Tolland County Jail and MuseumHill-Stead MuseumMark's Restaurant