Why Open Space in South Windsor Matters
The United Community Party is committed to protecting and expanding open space in South Windsor. The Open Space Task Force has worked for years to carry out the South Windsor Open Space Master Plan, updated in 2023. Their mission is simple: preserve land, protect natural resources, and provide places for recreation.
You can explore the full plan here: South Windsor Open Space Master Plan (2023)
What the Town of South Windsor Owns Today
As of 2023, South Windsor owns over 1,750 acres of land. More than 1,400 acres are parks, open spaces, or land with no buildings. These properties are spread throughout town, serving many different purposes including wildlife habitat, trails, and community recreation. You can see more details on pages 14–15 of the Master Plan.
- Rye Street Park – more than 170 acres
- Nevers Park – over 138 acres
- Frank Niederwerfer Wildlife Sanctuary – 117 acres, plus 42 acres owned with the state, for a total of 159 acres
- Priest Farm – 75 acres, plus connections to Pierce Road and nearby preserved land
- Wapping Park – 170 acres between Ellington Road and Clark Street, with support from state grants
- Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve – 72 acres, later expanded by 40, for a total of 130+ acres, with striking fall views
- Foster Farm – 40 acres, with rights to purchase another 50+ acres in the future
- Jones Farm – 19 acres of farmland kept active
- Collins Sledding Hill (Porters Hill) – 18 acres, preserving farmland and a beloved community sledding spot
- King Street Pond – 11.6 acres with a deep pond for fishing
- 220 Scantic Road – 17.6 acres along the Scantic River
In addition, the Planning and Zoning Commission has secured over 600 acres of open space through approvals of subdivisions and other development projects.
Future Open Space Goals for South Windsor
South Windsor’s Open Space Task Force keeps a running list of properties the Town may want to purchase for open space preservation, but not every property is available right away. Owners may not be selling. Prices may be more than the Town can afford. Funding may not be available. Sometimes there are limits on access or restrictions on how land can be used.
Even with those challenges, the Task Force keeps updating its list and watching for opportunities. Their ongoing work ensures that when the right property comes up, South Windsor is ready to act.
South Windsor’s United Community Party is committed to continued progress in preserving new open spaces to help balance out land lost to development.
For details on target properties, see page 23 of the Master Plan: South Windsor Open Space Master Plan (2023)