Flanders
Nature Center in
Woodbury, CT. offers a wide
variety of trails that visually
stimulate and educate. All
of the trails have a theme such as
"Botany", "Geology", etc. If
you've ever wondered the names of
certain trees, flowers, or bushes,
you'll find some answers here.
As you stroll through woods,
open fields, around ponds, and
over streams, you can stop and
read about the ecosystem.
The trail system is well
maintained and easy to
follow.
Individual trails are color coded
and you can combine numerous
trails to venture off on long
hikes, or just hop out of the car
for some fresh air and a short
walk. The terrain is mostly
flat and there or no overlooks or
observation towers at
Flander's. Located in the
middle of all the trails is an
information center. It's a
great resource for all kinds of
information including upcoming
events sponsored by Flander's such
as an Amateur Astronomy Night or
children's activities. The
Center's programs are posted on
the information center or back
near the entrance to Flander's.
You can also visit their web
site for updates and to see what's
going on the day you plan to
visit. http://www.flandersnaturecenter.org
Flander's Nature Center is a
wonderful place to bring children
and introduce them nature or you
can just venture off on a nice
peaceful hike if you're going solo.
If you visit during foliage
season it's a perfect place to get
up close to the rainbow of colors
the leaves present each year
(bring your camera or easel as
there are some great photo ops
here!). Flander's Nature
Center is a perfect destination
for those who like to go for a
ride and take in some fresh air.
The road leading to Flander's will
take you passed some great rural
towns and farmland.
Also, about 2 miles up the road
from Flanders is the Abbey at
Regina. The abbey is open to
the public and very different from
"everyday" life. No cell
phones or HBO here! The actress
Dolores Hart left her stardom in
Hollywood to join the order here.
The Benedictine women have made a
commitment to serve God through
prayer and work. But don't
let sight of nuns in their habits
in a quiet, humble setting fool
you. The nuns are nearly 100% self
sufficient and they are not afraid
to turn on the chainsaws, hop on a
tractor, and bang a few nails!
There's an agricultural
aspect to the Abbey and at certain
times of the year you can buy
homemade foods, jams, jellies,
baked goods, and arts and crafts.
Two roads up from the main
entrance is a long winding road
which will take you to a sparkling
wooden church that serves as a
chapel for the abbey and residents
of Woodbury. It's open to
the public if you just want to
visit and sit in one of the most
peaceful settings anywhere.
The church's simple but
thoughtful design, crisp clean
woodwork and marble tiling,
combines with the perfect use of
sunlight to create what
sure was the
intention...a heavenly setting.
This is the exact opposite
of the massive cathedrals you see
in other places but no less
spectacular. This is master
carpentry at its finest and worth
a visit, if you're religious or
not. Visit their web site
for more information. Abbey
of Regina Laudis
Directions: From
Interstate 84, take exit 16
(Southbury exit) and head north on
Route 6. Go through
Southbury and the town of
Woodbury. This is about 7 or 8
miles total. As you leave
the center of Woodbury, there will
be a volunteer fire department
building set back a bit from Rt.
6. One tenth of a mile later
is Flander's Road. It's a
left-handed turn; the main road
bears sharply to the right. Go up
Flander's Road 4 miles and take a
right where the sign indicates
Flander's Nature Center.
There is a small dirt
parking lot on the right and an
Art Guild building on the left. Go
pass these, as they are not the
main center for hiking/outdoor
activities. Two-tenths of a
mile later on the left is the
Center and on the right is
parking. Use the Center to
locate a hike of interest.
Their phone number is
203-263-3711.
Printable
version of the Flanders
Nature Center page
If you have any trail updates to
share or have feedback/questions
please click
here to send email or call
203.788.7665
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