Clinton is fortunate to have some of the finest recreational facilities on the shoreline, including two town beaches, two vast recreational complexes on the north side of town, and the availability of a wide variety of activities for young and old throughout the year. The Park & Recreation Department offices are located at the Indian River Recreation Complex at 201 Killingworth Turnpike. The administration building provides office space for the Park & Recreation Department and has a 1,342-square-foot all-purpose room, fully-equipped kitchen, and public restrooms.

The Park & Recreation Commission was established in 1968 and five years later opened its office in the historic Academy Building at 61 East Main Street. Built in 1801, the Academy Building was originally a schoolhouse, unique in that it had two stories rather than the traditional single floor common to that era. As other schools were built, the Academy stood vacant until local farmers rented it at $1 a year as a meeting place and it became The Grange Hall. The second floor is still used for the Brett Renfrew Teen Center and meeting space.

Some of the activities available through Park & Rec include Zumba, adult and youth basketball, adult coed volleyball, soccer, tennis, Summer Fun Camp, girls' basketball clinics, boys' basketball clinics, girls' softball, martial arts classes, soccer camps, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection safe boating courses, wrestling, drawing classes, yoga, lacrosse and field hockey clinics, a girls' volleyball clinic, swimming lessons, a variety of Skyhawk camps, several U.S. Sports Camps, an environmental ecology camp, and a summer musical. For info on these and many other challenging programs, call the Recreation office Monday to Friday, www.clintonparkrec.com.

9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., at 860-669-6901 or visit

Clinton Town Beach

Located at the foot of Waterside Lane, this beach offers restrooms, a playground, a concession stand, an outside shower, volleyball net, pavilions, grills, bocce court, and parking. Beach passes are required and available at the Town Beach gate.

Pat's Rack and Skau Rack

These boat racks at the town beach were constructed in honor of Pat Pennock and Carsten Skau, former commissioners of the Recreation Department, whose many years of service and dedication to the community are well-remembered. Boat racks can be rented for the season through the Park & Rec office.

Heser's Pond

This recreational facility is located at the corner of Airline Road and Old Nod Road. The following rules, established by the Recreation Department, apply: skating is at your own risk; children must be accompanied by an adult; no swimming, boating, loitering, bonfires, or alcoholic beverages.

Ethel Peters Recreational Complex

Clinton is rightfully proud of this lovely recreational complex, situated behind the Joel School on Glenwood Road.

Users of this facility are reminded that the Park & Recreation Commission has set rules and regulations to maintain orderly use; a copy is posted at the entrance to the complex and on the Park & Rec website. The following facilities are available: football field, three lighted tennis courts, two softball fields (one lighted), community playground behind the Joel School, concession stand, three Little League fields, track (¼ mile), basketball courts (lighted), pavilion, restrooms, combination Little League/softball field, combination football/lacrosse practice field, and a skate park. No dogs allowed.

Indian River Recreational Complex

Located at 201 Killingworth Turnpike (Route 81), this facility, completed in 1997, offers two soccer fields, one multi-purpose turf field (soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey) with lights, a lighted baseball field, a pavilion, a lighted basketball court, a 1.3-mile walking nature trail, pond, river fishing, playground, and parking for more than 200 cars. The complex greatly enhances recreational opportunities in Clinton. No dogs allowed.

Esposito Beach

This small beach is adjacent to the Town Dock on Riverside Drive. It is under the jurisdiction of the Harbor Commission.

Clinton Land Conservation Trust

The Clinton Land Conservation Trust (CLCT) is a non-profit corporation, run entirely by volunteers, working since 1967 to preserve the many extraordinary natural resources in Clinton.

The land currently held in public trust in Clinton consists of more than 750 acres. The terrain covers salt marshes and bogs, forests, ledges, and meadows and most trust property is open to the public to explore and enjoy. Hiking is encouraged and dogs on leashes are welcome. No motorized vehicles are permitted anywhere on CLCT property. Camping and fires are also prohibited.

A debt is owed to past CLCT members and others in the Clinton community who support the goals of the Land Trust and who have made great improvements to the land by means of trails, bridges, etc. These groups include many Eagle Scouts and Girl Scouts, Clinton schools, town commissions and civic groups, the Connecticut Horse Council, and generous area businesses. The CLCT works with schools and sports teams and awards the annual Crosby Environmental Scholarship to a local high school senior.

How Can You Help the CLCT?

You can become a member and volunteer your time for trail building, educational outreach, or fundraising. The trust also welcomes donations of land or other property; all donations are tax-deductible.

We encourage the public to explore the trails located on Land Trust property:

• Peters Memorial Woods, Valley Road, Brickyard Road

• Deane Haag Nature Trail, Kenilworth Drive

• Jessie Buell Forest, Cream Pot Road or Taylor Ridge

• Chittenden Hill Loop, Chittenden Hill Road

• The Hammocks, Beach Park Road

• Kenilworth Forest, Kenilworth Drive

Maps, guides, and photographs are available online at www.clintonlandtrust.org.