Our own Central Park (with nature, ruins and wildlife!)

Right in our midst, directly contiguous to Mystic residential and commercial areas…..is a massive sprawling complex of green space, woods, groomed hiking trails and historic preservation.  You can hike, bike and frolic to your hearts content literally minutes from town.

In a previous post, we noted Schooner Wharf as Mystics’s own cool “DUMBO” neighborhood.  To extend the NYC metaphor, how about Coogan Farm being our own Central Park? (Only less crowded, more natural and with a working farm).

….The property, with sweeping views of the Mystic River, contains 370 years of American history, 10 miles of hiking and biking trails,  and habitats supporting multiple native species….

Two of the original colonial homesteads, dating to the 1640s, were the properties of John Gallup and George Denison.  Both were land grants to their owners for their roles in the 17th century Pequot wars.  These are the founding properties in Mystic, where our earliest settlers set up farmsteads.

In 2014, 45 acres of the Gallup property, now known as Coogan Farm, was preserved after a concerted fundraising and conservation effort by the nearby Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and the Trust for Public Land.  It is the last parcel of undeveloped farmland between downtown Mystic, Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium, and it forms a natural and fitting scenic back drop to the Seaport.

In addition to public green space, Coogan Farm is a working farm.  A variety of food crops are actively farmed by staff and volunteers, and 100%  of the output is donated to local families in need via United Way.  For complete information visit the DPNC Website!

For a unique walking tour, food tour, historic tour or guided tour of Mystic, Stonington or Noank, please contact [email protected] the founder of Mystic Revealed.