If you are planning a trip to Connecticut, chances are you won't think of visiting a town called Danbury, nestled in the western extreme of Fairfield County. But if you do, you may be in for a surprise. Close to Danbury's Main Street, is a 722-acre historic building and land preserve called the Tarrywile Park and Mansion. Unspoiled by tour buses and entry fees, it is a favorite with the locals. The only buses you may see are school buses packed with kids. Scavenger hunts and day hikes are the reason why it's so popular with local schools.
We reached the Park on a lazy summer afternoon and were immediately struck by the contrast with its location. The busy streets of Danbury were soon forgotten as we found ourselves surrounded by woods and greens. There were a few hiking trails for us to explore, the detailed map can either be picked up from the info center or printed from here
So off we went, armed with the trail map and bottled water. Moments into entering the trail, we came upon the park silo, standing tall and red amidst stretches of green. We felt miles away from civilization. All we could hear were the twigs snapping under our feet and the rustle of brown leaves as we carefully stepped over them. We met a few people and a number of friendly dogs with fur as smooth as velvet. Then there was this group of kids who were being taught the basics of surviving in the outdoors by their trainer. After two hours of hiking on the blue trail, we reached a lake. It was beautiful...cool, dark and deep. Right before the trail ended, we came across the most graceful creature ever. A timid deer with big round eyes. Reminded me of Bambi with her calm features.
The trail ended at the parking lot. To the other side of the car park, the Tarrywile Mansion loomed over the horizon, adding a touch of Victorian elegance to its surroundings. Its vast grounds included a garden, a lovely gazebo and a meditation center. We discovered that the mansion not only serves as a community center for Danbury, but is also a favourite spot for weddings. The park office is located inside the mansion and the office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Further details can be found at http://www.danbury.org/tarry/
As we drove away from the park, we were glad that we took the time out to visit such a unique attraction, not known to many.
Article and photos by Esha Samajpati
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