Lowthorpe Meadow in Norwich, Connecticut, is a gem of a park set aside to be “forever wild” by its benefactors, the Gilman sisters. It is managed by a group of local individuals, calling themselves the Lowthorpe Meadow Association. It is situated in the middle of the Norwichtown neighborhood bordering on the roads of East Town Street, Town Street, and Washington Street mainly.
The most accessible place to park is either in the Samuel Huntington mansion parking lot, which is now United Community and Family Services on East Town Street or at the Meadows Shopping Center on Town Street parking lot. This route will be described as if entering behind UCFS. Much of the adjacent areas of Norwichtown are described in detail in this article.
“Behind United Workers”
Is what growing up we used to call heading down the hill where the parking lot ends. It is steep enough to make a great sledding hill in winter, but not so vertical that it is tough to climb. Heading down the hill, a choice of paths greets you. On the right is the Old Burial Ground which has its own merits.
Continuing on the path straight will lead right to the back of the Meadows Shopping Center, although the bridge over the ironically named “Minnehaha Falls” is a nice jaunt. After exploring the brook, since it is not actually a waterfall, head back to the bottom of the hill. This time head right if looking at the hill you originally descended down.
Lost in Lowthorpe Meadow
This is where the paths of the meadows begin to unfurl around you. The Lowthorpe Meadow only has a few paths, so it’s actually pretty tough to get lost in here, but there are parts for the maiden voyager that can look a bit befuddling. This path follows one side of another brook until an embankment passes over where the brook tunnels into another waterway. (All of these brooks join the Yantic River on the other side of Town Street.)
Now on the other side of the brook, you may traverse it on the other side although this leads to a dead end (and the path will say so). It’s pretty and pretty short though could be worth a side trip. Back on the main path, the crowning jewel here is the pond. Look for turtles, ducks, or the occasional heron.
Choices?
From the pond, more paths diverge in the woods. To the right takes you back out to the shopping center, straight ahead climbs a steep embankment to a view of commercial Norwichtown but will be a tough tread for many readers. (If you do choose this route, have fun descending down the steeper hill that slopes back into the meadow. This is an excellent sledding hill.)
For those of us that went left (good idea), this is the main trail. It’s wide and is the most populated. From here a fork presents itself, but both paths lead to two entrances on Washington Street Extension. The first side path takes you under an impressive awning that gives a bit of history about Lowthorpe Meadow. The plaque includes a description of the meadows historically as a desolate, swampy place, teeming with snakes and wolves. The main trail continues over a wooden bridge, spanning yet another of the meadow’s brooks.
Any time of the year
Unlike many outdoor journeys, there is something beautiful to be seen at any time of the year. In winter, it is stark, but sunkissed snowy ground makes for a gorgeous trudge. Notice the blooms in the springtime and of course, the summer is arguably the best time to go. The meadow is alive with chirping, croaking, and a paintbrush of colors. On a warm night, this meadow is illuminated by fireflies. In the autumn, expect the reds and golds. One of my favorite time to visit is an unusual one, this is November. A gray sky, with the browns of autumn as the only colors left. It paints a stark scene, but it embodies the month perfectly and there is something beautiful about that.
During your next visit to Connecticut, make sure to check out the Lowthorpe Meadow in Norwichtown. It’s definitely not a place written about in guidebooks so enjoy the serenity and the exploration.
