Dog Policy

Updated 3/9/2023

Dogs must be leashed on Aspetuck Land Trust nature preserves open to the public and found on our website. The only off leash trail we operate is the pink trail in the Crow Hill section of Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area in Easton (find trail maps here).

Our mission: The preservation and conservation of open space, including farm and forest land, and the natural resources located thereon, for the benefit and education of the public.

That said, The Board of Director’s considers allowing members and the public to enjoy our preserves accompanied by their dogs a benefit that we can make available so long as the conditions are safe, and our habitats are properly protected. The procedures enumerated below will help us to achieve that goal.

  • Dogs must be leashed (with exception of the off-leash pink trail in the Crow Hill section of the Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area).

  • Leashes must be 6 feet or less. In summer 2020 a dog in Trout Brook Valley was bitten by a Copperhead snake on the green trail in the field trail near marker #1. The dog was not on a short leash and the dog almost died. Please use a short leash.

  • Dogs must be reined in when approaching other people & dogs to prevent contact

  • Pet owners must remove their pet’s waste

This leash rule applies to all Aspetuck Land Trust Preserves including the Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area with the exception of the pink off-leash trail in Trout Brook Valley, our only off leash trail area. In the event Covid-19 surges again, we will put restrictions back in place on the pink trail as needed.

To help us keep our open spaces available and open to the public while still supporting national and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, we need your help.

When visiting our open spaces please observe the latest recommendations regarding social distancing and the wearing of masks when in close proximity to other people. If you choose to gather with friends or meet up as a group, please adhere to social distance guidelines.

  • Avoid visiting Trout Brook Valley on weekends as we don’t want to overburden our neighbors and local streets. It is illegal to park on Bradley and Freeborn Roads. If a preserve parking lot is full, please proceed to another area to park and hike.

  • Please follow the latest recommendations regarding social distancing. Aspetuck Land Trust is following the guidance provided by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding the use of trails and preserves. CLICK HERE for CT DEEP guidelines.

  • Trout Brook Valley is being heavily visited right now. With so many other preserves, we suggest you visit another. Go to Aspetuck Land Trust Preserves to explore a land trust property and print your own detailed hiking map, found in each preserve description area, before you set out. We only have one map on display at the trail-heads.

NOTE to OFF-LEASH DOG WALKERS: The Land Trust is allowing off-leash dogs on the pink trail only, in Trout Brook Valley accessible from the Wells Hill and Freeborn Road parking areas. We have a volunteer group of “Ambassadors” - members of the dog walking community who will maintain a clean trail and encourage the safe usage of it. This policy goes into effect immediately but in the event Covid-19 surges again, we may need to put restrictions back in place as needed.

  • Follow latest recommendations regarding social distancing. Aspetuck Land Trust is  following the guidance provided by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regarding the use of trails and preserves. CLICK HERE for CT DEEP guidelines

  • Maximum 2 dogs per handler

  • Dogs must be under handler’s voice control at all times and remain near handler

  • Keep dogs on the trail

  • Please remove dog poop and carry it out with you and put in your home garbage.

Aspetuck Land Trust wants to thank the Ambassadors for their participation and help. Their efforts are critical to helping us make the off-leash trail work.

Finally, please remember, Aspetuck Land Trust is first and foremost a land preservation and conservation organization. We ask for your cooperation as we work to protect the land, wildlife, and people.

Aspetuck Land Trust Board of Directors

Why you should leash your dog:

  • Off-leash dogs, intentionally or not, disrupt habitat, trample wildflowers and seedlings, and drive off, stress, and kill animals, birds, and their young

  • Ground nesting birds can be chased from their nests and caused undue stress leading to nest abandonment and interrupted reproduction cycles

  • Off leash dogs that swim in wetlands, streams, ponds, marshes and vernal pools disturb the delicate balance of these sensitive areas. Waterfowl and water birds are scared from their nests. The egg masses of various frogs and salamanders are destroyed reducing their numbers and the interconnected web of life suffers.

  • Off leash dogs jump on children and others. They can also bite visitors and other dogs and run into neighboring properties causing damage to their personal property and pets.

  • Dogs that are off leash will defecate on and off trail, often without their owners knowledge. Dog poop is a source of non-point pollution; the fecal coliform bacteria and medicine residues wash into our streams and wetlands.

  • Please cooperate and keep your dog on leash and clean up your pet’s poop.

Watch this educational video about walking with dogs in nature from Boulder, CO.