By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
Nestled within the heart of our bustling community lies a haven of opportunity for families: Caryl Park. Upon arrival you will encounter a symphony of recreational activities. Tennis courts resound with the satisfying thwack of balls, while basketball courts echo with the cheers of friendly competition. Swings and slides bring laughter to the young, their giggles a testament to the timeless joy of play. Joggers and cyclists weave through the park's trails, their steps and wheels in sync with the pulse of nature.
As someone who thoroughly enjoys getting lost in nature, the walking trail seemed to be the perfect place to spend my time while visiting Caryl Park. The walking trail located at Caryl Park, which is the Caryl Loop Trail, is a part of the Noanet Woodlands. There are other trails within the Noanet Woodlands, including the Noanet Peak Trail, the Peabody Loop Trail, and the Larabee Trail.
The Noanet Woodlands are a special place, preserved and cared for by the Trustees. What makes this place so special is that this 600-acre landscape has seen a variety of uses, including: a preserved space, a working farm, an early industrial site, and Native American hunting grounds, according to The Trustees.
However, in 1923 Amelia Peabody purchased a nearby farm and acquired these hundreds of acres of land throughout the next six decades. According to the Trustees, “Miss Peabody regularly encouraged the public to enjoy her property, and became a beloved figure in the community.” Peabody’s legacy is honored and revered by all of the people who wander through her former property.
As I journeyed through the Caryl Loop Trail, I reflected on the history of the park, marveling at what it had been used for and meditating upon all of the different people that had ventured through these same woods. It occurred to me that despite the vast changes within our society, one thing remains the same: we all enjoy existing within the warm embrace of the outdoors. I am certain that long after I am gone, people will still explore these woodlands to marvel at their beauty.
Caryl Park is a jewel within our town and exists as a testament to the enduring power of nature to nourish our spirits and bring us together in harmony. Amelia Peabody is smiling down on all of us, happy to see we are all still enjoying the wonder and delight that this property brings to all of our community.
