On 68 acres, Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District offers a glimpse into Rocky Hill's history of water-powered dams, mills, and factories.
From the main parking lot on Old Forge Road, there are three trailheads. The middle trail leads down some steps to the waterfall. The other two options are the White Trail in either direction. Starting to the right along the north side of the pond, the White Trail is flat and bike-friendly to Pleasant Valley Road where bikes continue straight and hikers turn left to pass the sight of the Bulter and Sugden Shear Factory and to cross the river. Taking a right along the White Trail passes the Butler Sugden Dam and then an access trail and bridge to Pleasant Valley Road and June's Trail, and continues to the Yellow Trail.
The Yellow Trail is a loop through a large stand of tall pines complete with pine smell. Mountain bike trails weave in the area and there is a short access trail to the southern parking area along Travelers Championship Drive.
The Yellow Trail loops back to the White Trail which follows the south side of the stream back to Dividend Pond Dam and waterfalls. There are steps down to the waterfall from the site of the C.E. Billings Manufacturing Company. The White Trail continues to the right around the smaller pond and past the site of Reverend Gershom Bulkeley's Corne/Grist Mill and the entrance to Edward Bulkeley Homestead.
June's Trail starts at the south end where Pleasant Valley Road makes a curve, and across from the junction of the White and Yellow Trails. The green blazes lead across a small bridge and to two historic sites - the site of the Butler Grist Mill and the site of the Butler Saw Mill.
Cyclists can access Dividend Pond from Main Street (Route 99) through neighborhood roads and enter at Pleasant Valley Road, and travel directly through the White Trail to reach the Old Forge Road trailhead. The terrain is uneven in places so skinny tires (road bikes) should use caution.
There are multiple single track mountain bike trails in the southwestern part of the park surrounding the Yellow Trail. They are maintained by the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) - see their website for details. There is also a bike repair station at the main entrance on Old Forge Road.
The Rocky Hill Parks and Recreation's brochure gives an overview, and there is descriptive signage at each archaeological site.
Take Exit 23 and turn east (follow signs for CT Department of Veterans Affairs). Follow Route 411/West Street for about 1.6 miles, then turn right and head south on Main Street. After 0.6 miles, turn left onto Old Forge Street. Continue for 0.5 miles, main park entrance is on the right.
Or continue on Main Street and take the next left for Sawmill Road. At the end of the street, turn left again onto Pleasant Valley Street and the parking lot is at the end of the cul-de-sac.
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