INTRODUCTION
In December 1997 the citizens of Madison voted to purchase from the Madison Hills Limited Partnership II a 649 acre tract of land in North Madison then known as Braemore. The land, located in the Rockland Section of Madison, had been the focus of several attempts to create housing developments. None was successful due in part to the character of the land. The property lies within the watershed of the Hammonasset River that supplies the Hammonasset Reservoir of the South Central Regional Water Authority. The purchase price of the property was $4.8 million.

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND PRESERVE
Located in North Madison, west of Route 79 and just south of the Madison/Durham border, Rockland Preserve is an area of rounded, rocky hills, steep gray cliffs, ledges, and lovely wooded areas. Long abandoned ancient roads offer easy access for the walker and hiker. Crooked Hill Road, Poole Road and Dead Hill Road tell stories of travel by foot and horse and wagon of the residents of long ago…

The centerpiece of the property is an area known as Coan Pond. A pond no more, it has become a fen; much like a bog with black, damp soil, thick grasses and shrubs. Coan Pond offers a scenic views to all who visit its shores.

There is abundant evidence that the early settlers in Rockland harvested the land for wood and charcoal. The evidence exists in the many circular "charcoal pits" with their black soil littered with bits of charcoal. Nearby these flat, circular areas are stone fireplaces, marking the crude huts where the colliers kept watch as the charcoal smoldered in its conical mound.

Roland Stevens, a life-long resident of Rockland, wrote of gathering bushels of huckleberries from the woods of Rockland. He also noted that the local farmers often joked they had to grind the sheep's noses before turning them loose to graze in the rocky pastures.

The quiet beauty of Rockland is now available to everyone. Crooked Hill Road and Dead Hill Road invite us to walk among the oaks, past huge glacial boulders and laurel thickets. The small pond at the edge of Coan Pond harbors water lilies, frogs and turtles. Lady slippers, asters, blackberries and cranberries await the interested hiker. Spring and summer wildflowers, the yellow, orange and red of fall foliage, and the snow covered landscape of winter beckon the visitor. Each season brings new enchantment; new life to Rockland Preserve.
Warner Lord
April 2002

QUESTIONS
Any questions can be addressed by contacting the Madison Beach and Recreation Department by telephone: (203) 245-5623 or by fax: (203) 245-5643.

PROGRAMS
Click here to go to current activities and offerings

DIRECTIONS
From Route 79 in the Rockland section of Madison turn west onto Dorset Lane. Follow Dorset Lane to Devonshire Lane. Turn right on Devonshire to Renee's Way. Turn right on Renee's Way. The parking Area is located at the end of Renee's Way.

Caution: The following are very large files that may take some time to download.

Click here for map details

Trail Guide

Wildflower Guide

Charcoal Hearth Model -
Steps in Building the Pile

Charcoal Information

History of Rockland Preserve

Under the Town of Madison Ordinances - Section 14-76 to 14-78-Charter 14, Parks and Recreation-Article III Rockland property, the following activities are strictly prohibited:

Section 14.77 Prohibited Acts
It shall be unlawful and in violation of this charter for any unauthorized person or persons to engage in the following prohibited activities within the boundaries of the Rockland property:

1. Entering or remaining on the property after dark (1/2 hour after sunset).
2. The operation of any motorized vehicle, including ATV's, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
3. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.
4. The setting of any fires.
5. Hunting, fishing, trapping or killing of any animal.
6. The discharge of any firearm.
7. Target shooting with firearm or bow and arrow.
8. Disposal of any waste material(s), refuses, garbage or dumping of any kind to include old vehicles, appliances and similar waste.
9. The disposal of any other forms of litter other than in appropriately marked receptacles provided by the Town.
10. The cutting, injuring, defacing, removing or disturbing of any tree, shrub, plant, building, fence, bench or other structure or property.

Section 14.78. Penalties for Violations
The Town of Madison shall strictly enforce violation of the forgoing rules and regulations. Any unauthorized person who violates any of the forgoing rules and regulations shall be guilty of an infraction punishable as provided in Section 1-11 of the Madison Code of Ordinances and by Connecticut State Statutes.

Rockland Preserve Advisory Committee
2010 Meeting Schedule

Meetings are held at 7:30 PM at the North Madison Firehouse