Explore Pine Brook Falls Preserve

The East Hampton Parks
and Recreation will sponsor a hike at the Pine Brook Falls
Preserve on Saturday, July 6, at 10 am. The Preserve is located on
Sexton Hill Road in East Hampton. The hike is organized by the
Chatham Historical Society and sponsored by the East Hampton
Parks & Recreation Dept. The hike is part of the “Explore
East Hampton” monthly series program.

Pine Brook begins at the southeastern edge of
the Meshomasic State Forest and ends its journey in the Salmon
River and eventually the Connecticut River.

The 40-acre Pine Brook
Falls Preserve is part of the exceptionally healthy Salmon River
system.  Though found in a rapidly developing region, it is part
of an area that includes tidal marshes, forested riverbanks and
streams teeming with trout. The Nature Conservancy purchased the
property in 2003. They sold the land to the Middlesex Land
Trust while retaining a conservation easement, until both
organizations sold their interest in the property to the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Pine Brook Falls is now
part of the Silvio O. Conte Fish & Wildlife
Refuge’s Salmon River Division.    

The hike
offers a wonderful and unique opportunity for residents to learn
about the history of Pine Brook and for life-long residents to
share their recollections and stories. Adults and children are
welcome to join in what promises to be an afternoon of making
local history come alive. The walk will follow an old mill road
that is a nice easy walk. Hikers should wear proper shoes for the
hike that might include wet areas.

Since the Preserve has limited parking,
hikers will meet at The Chatham Historical Society's museum complex located at 6 Bevin
Boulevard at 10 am. They will then car pool to the
Preserve located on Sexton Hill Road on Rt. 151(located 1 mile
north of the intersection of Rts. 151 & 196). 

For further information about
upcoming walks or the Chatham Historical Society, contact Marty
Podskoch, coordinator of the “Explore East Hampton” walks at
860-267-2442, podskoch@comcast.net, or visit http://www.easthamptonrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=27025  or http://www.chathamhistoricalsocietyct.org/