Auerfarm State Park Scenic Reserve

A woodland trail loop, just under a mile long, climbs to the hillside overlook and picnic area, where you'll find a historic apple orchard and views of Heublein Tower and Avon Mountain. Continue north down the hill into Auerfarm 4-H Apple Orchard and enjoy views back toward the parking area.

Hikers may encounter a variety of wildlife, including deer, fox, bobcats, and rabbits, in this natural sanctuary. Birdwatchers enjoy occasional sightings of the turkey vulture, bald eagle, owls, a variety of song birds, and the pileated woodpecker.

The hike covers 0.75 miles through woodlands and apple orchards.   Hikers will be exploring both the State Park and Auerfarm 4-H Property.  Level of difficulty: Easy with a 100ft evaluation gain.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

If you see a bear, enjoy it from a distance and announce your presence by shouting and waving your arms or walking slowly away, and report it to the Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3011. Never attempt to feed or attract bears.

Starting in 1925 with Mr. George Auerbach's original purchase of farmland in Bloomfield and continuing the agrarian legacy through to 2015 when 40 acres were donated to the State of Connecticut as a state park in the memory of Dorothy and Bernard Schiro, Auerfarm has made history, seen heartbreak and set records for 90 years of Connecticut's history.

Led for most of its history by Beatrice Fox Auerbach, who inherited the farm in 1927 after her husband's passing, Mrs. Auerbach committed to make the land one of Bloomfield’s most notable farms.

Under her stewardship the location proved to be the showplace of cutting-edge poultry farming technology in 1935; and subsequently, over 20 years later, won top prizes for its peach and plum entries at competitive fruit judging contests.

1955 brought heartbreak as the main dairy barn was lost to fire due to spontaneous combustion in the hay storage area. (All the animals escaped safely). Strict and careful planning brought a new barn of tile and brick and used an underground conveyor system to safely move hay into the facility.

All the while Beatrice Fox Auerbach was the beloved president of the G. Fox and Company department store in downtown Hartford. In 1956 Forbes Magazine listed Mrs. Auerbach as one of America’s leading businesswomen. She has been remembered as an animal lover and an advocate of working people, an advocate of wildlife and, gladly, an advocate for both open space and outdoor education.

Mrs. Auerbach passed away in 1968, her successful Guernsey dairy herd having been donated the year before to the University of Connecticut Animal Science Department. In 1977, much of the farm's land was passed to the Connecticut 4-H Development Fund. The remaining 40 acres of the farm property has been preserved in perpetuity in conjunction with the CT Forest and Park Association which will manage a conservation easement on the property. In 2015 it became Connecticut’s 110th state park and will be managed as a State Park Scenic Reserve.

Early morning birdwatching is a popular activity. Springtime visitors may be able to spot bobolinks.  

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing enthusiasts are often seeing taking advantage of the open space during the winter months.