Bennett's Pond State Park
Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.
ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.
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AARP Events for Ridgefield
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"Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the" name="description"/> <meta content="Bennett, s, Pond, State, Park, Ridgefield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RIDGEFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the" name="description"/> <meta content="Bennett, s, Pond, State, Park, Ridgefield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/ridgefield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Ridgefield, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/ridgefield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="container"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu container" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RIDGEFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the" name="description"/> <meta content="Bennett, s, Pond, State, Park, Ridgefield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RIDGEFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the" name="description"/> <meta content="Bennett, s, Pond, State, Park, Ridgefield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the" name="description"/> <meta content="Bennett, s, Pond, State, Park, Ridgefield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Connecticut Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Connecticut</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:CTAARP@aarp.org " target="_blank" rel="noopener">CTAARP@aarp.org </a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Connecticut</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-connecticut/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-RIDGEFIELD-CT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AARPCT" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarp_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park - Ridgefield, CT"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the" name="description"/> <meta content="Bennett, s, Pond, State, Park, Ridgefield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Bennett's Pond State Park</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>572 Bennett's Farm Road</div> <div> <span>Ridgefield</span>, <span>CT</span> <span>06877</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bennetts-Pond-State-Park" target="_blank">Bennett's Pond State Park</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 860-424-3000</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Bennett%27s+Pond+State+Park%2C+572+Bennett%27s+Farm+Road%2C+Ridgefield%2C+CT+06877" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the estate of Louis D. Conley. Conley, a New York City native, retired from his lead position in the family tin foil manufacturing business in 1914 at the age of forty. He and his wife moved to Ridgefield where he, as did many well-to-do residents of New York City, assembled his estate. At an elevation of over 700 feet above sea level he captured breezes and enjoyed wonderful views from his 34 room mansion and grounds which he called Outpost Farm. It truly was his outpost from the hot and crowded New York City summers.Conley’s farm, which began as a hobby, grew to attain outstanding commercial success as a nursery. By 1922 he was providing trees and shrubbery to corporations, municipalities, colleges, including Yale and Harvard, other estates, most notably Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park, and scenic roadways such as the Berlin Turnpike, turning his Outpost Nursery into one of the largest on the east coast. His great financial success enabled his philanthropy. Of principle interest was the creation of a summer camp on his estate for underprivileged boys from the City. Like many of Connecticut’s exclusive estates of the time, Outpost Farm was mostly self-contained. Food crops and livestock supplied the mansion with necessities and the 90,000 gallon water system guaranteed water throughout the seasons. This infrastructure enabled Conley to house scores of nursery workers on the property.But by September of 1930 Conley had contracted meningitis. On the seventh of the month he died. By today’s standards his age of 56 years would be considered young.Outpost Nurseries continued operations for 15 years before it was sold by the family. By the 1960’s the mansion building was part of a private, though failing, boys school. In 1968 the structure and remaining grounds were sold at auction. Formal plans and proposals bore no fruit and by 1974 the mansion was razed.Today Conley’s legacy of beauty and open space continues. In 2002 the mansion site and hundreds of acres of former fields became Bennett’s Pond State Park. It is a refuge from the seemingly inevitable growth that continues to advance upon it borders. Within the park peace and quiet dominate. Primary trails lead north from the parking area through the hills and past the shallow 56 acre Bennett Pond where wildlife viewing is nearly guaranteed for those with a light step.Almost nothing recognizable remains of the estate. The mansion, houses, and barns are gone. Here and there vestiges of stonework can be found, but little else. The hundreds of farmed acres are now predominantly re-grown as a mix of deciduous trees with occasional stands of conifers, though many tree species from Conley’s nursery days can be found as well. And thus, perhaps fittingly, the greatest tribute to the man whose nursery dominated the east coast for two decades is the thousands of trees that remain on the grounds and throughout the community he called home for sixteen years.</p> <p>ActivitiesBicyclingHunting (Fall archery for deer only) HikingFishingAbout Hunting: Bennett’s Pond is open to fall archery hunting for deer only. Deer hunting with firearms is not permitted.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/ridgefield-ct/report/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Ridgefield</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/virtual-aarp-tx-fitness-a-gentle-workout-with-nia-dallas-tx-12172024-dynrr5ty7tp.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-CLASS-A-GENTLE-NIA-WORKOUT-FOR-ALL">Virtual Fitness Class: A Gentle Nia Workout for All</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom and Facebook</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-al-mindful-movement-yoga-121724-mknkbkhh9zw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-VIRTUAL-FITNESS-GET-A-MINDFUL-MOVEMENT-YOGA-WORKOUT">Virtual Fitness: Get a Mindful Movement Yoga Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/we-need-to-talk-virtual-seminar-121724-nxnnsslv22x.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AGING-AND-DRIVING-WE-NEED-TO-TALK-VIRTUAL-SEMINAR">Aging and Driving: ‘We Need to Talk’ Virtual Seminar</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-RIDGEFIELD-CT">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the" name="description"/> <meta content="Bennett, s, Pond, State, Park, Ridgefield, CT" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/bennetts-pond-state-park-ridgefield-ct.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Bennett's Pond State Park"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Bennett’s Pond State Park has been a favored location for beauty and viewscapes for decades. 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This 460 acre park is less than half of what once was the"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.328602"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-73.480797"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/ridgefield-ct/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Ridgefield, CT</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/ridgefield-ct/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="container"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu container" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/ridgefield-ct/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/ridgefield-ct/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118