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HartfordSkyline02Wickham, 1329 W. Middle Tpke. Manchester, CT 06040.  Open April thru October. Parking: Mon.-Fri. $4, Sat., Sun. & holidays $5. Privately owned foundation spanning Manchester and East Hartford, CT.

I  visited Wickham Park for the first time in late April for the purposes of capturing a photo of the Hartford Skyline.  This was my first, (and only visit so far), to the park. What an absolute gem of a park!

It’s 250 acres are well maintained and offer a variety of venues which include:  wildlife center, bird sanctuary, open fields, clear view of Hartford, tennis, volleyball, horseshoes, approx. (8) manicured gardens, bike trails, hiking trails, and (20) station fitness trail.  Most of all it offers tranquility.  Something I gravitate towards like steel to a magnet. In fact I visited on a chilly day late in April and there was almost no one in the park (except the gentleman tending the entrance gate).  I had my run of the place.  I really didn’t have time to do anything more than take my photograph of the City and visit a nearby garden.  However, it was so peaceful that I’m going to make a stop back this summer with Cheryl and we can make a day out of it.  We’ll take our bicycles out for a ride, tour the gardens, then sit in the open field overlooking the City of Hartford and eat a picnic lunch. I’ll photograph the gardens and post them on this site down the road.

“Learn about the history and development of Wickham Park’s twenty five acres of ornamental gardens. This 250 acre private park includes the former estate of one of Connecticut’s greatest industrial inventors. Themed gardens include; the Oriental Garden, the Italian Shrine, the Lotus Garden, the Cabin Garden, the English Garden, the Wetlands Garden, the Rhododendron Garden, the award winning Sensory Garden and debuting in 2011, the Scottish Garden. You will encounter a wide variety of plant materials and design styles, unique structures and statuary and a panoramic view. Bring the family and visit the Aviary, Nature Center, playgrounds and picnic areas. A concession stand is also available on weekends. The gardens are all accessible, unless they are reserved for a wedding function.” The preceding paragraph was copied directly from: CTVISIT

Whether you’re a family, a young person or a senior citizen there is something for you here.  Stop by sometime on a clear, warm summers day and let me know what you think.  Have fun!

Photographed with Nikon D7100 and Nikon 100-400mm lens.

 

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