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Burr Pond State Park

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Burr Pond State Park is a state-operated, public recreation site covering 438 acres (177 ha)[1] adjacent to Paugnut State Forest in the town of Torrington, Litchfield County, Connecticut. The state park surrounds Burr Pond, an 85-acre (34 ha),[2] man-made body of water with facilities for swimming, boating, and fishing.[3]

History

Burr Pond was created in 1851 when Milo Burr dammed several streams to create a source for power generation. The waterpower was used to operate a tannery and three sawmills.[3] One of Burr's industrial buildings was used from 1857 to 1861 by Gail Borden as his first commercially successful condensed milk factory. The building burned down in 1877; the remains of its stone foundations can be seen off Burr Mountain Road.[4][5] Signage identifies the spot.[6]

Burr Pond and the area around it were once part of Paugnut State Forest.[7] The acreage was transferred to the State Parks Division and became a state park in 1949.[3]

Activities and amenities

Burr Pond has several small inlets and islands, a rocky shore, and deep drop-offs in several places. Its maximum depth is only 13 feet (4.0 m). Fish species present include largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and brown bullhead.

A 2.25-mile-long (3.62 km) loop trail goes around the pond.[7] The 2-mile-long (3.2 km) John Muir Trail across Paugnut State Forest connects the park with Sunnybrook State Park.[8]

A swimming beach, picnic areas, concession stand, and boat rentals are offered seasonally.[9] A trailered boat launch is located at the pond's north end.[10]

References

  1. ^ Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee (January 23, 2014). "State Parks and Forests: Funding" (PDF). Staff Findings and Recommendations. Connecticut General Assembly. p. A-1. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "Burr Pond" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. September 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Burr Pond State Park". State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  4. ^ "Borden's Condensed Milk Factory Site". Historical Perspectives, Inc. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  5. ^ "Borden's Condensed Milk Factory Site Plan". Historical Perspectives, Inc. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  6. ^ "World's First Condensed Milk Factory". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Clues for Paugnut State Forest". Connecticut State Forests Seedling Letterbox Series. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. January 8, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  8. ^ "Paugnut State Forest: John Muir Trail" (PDF). Connecticut Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, State Parks Division. 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Canoe & Kayak Rental at Burr Pond, Lake Waramaug, and Squantz Pond State Parks". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  10. ^ "Burr Pond Boat Launch". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
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