City starts improvements at Abe Stone Park in Ansonia

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti posts trail markers at Abe Stone Park./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Things got under way at Abe Stone Park last weekend with a ceremonial first hiking trail marker placement by Mayor David S. Cassetti. 

The marker signifies the beginning of many upcoming recreational improvements at the park planned by the Mayor for this summer.

Volunteers continued hanging markers along the estimated mile-plus long hiking trail with expectations of finishing mapping of the remaining trail route this week. 

“My goal is to make Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond a recreational attraction once again for our residents,” Cassetti said. “It has been long neglected and needs refining. I can’t wait to see this completed.”

The trail will also outline the Colony Pond perimeter and proceed into the hillside woods an additional mile, looping back to the pond. An estimated 200 feet of boardwalk will be added over marsh areas and the pond-feeding brook with funding provided by Home Depot and construction by Emmett O’Brien Technical High School carpentry students. 

In the coming weeks, volunteers will clear the trails of any litter while pruning branches along the hiking route.

Also on tap for this summer is repairing of the basketball court and kids playground, adding volleyball, picnic tables, cooking grills, opening of the Colony Snack Shack, and adding a boat dock to allow canoes, kayaks, and rowboats on the pond.

In April, the DEEP will once again stock the pond with trout and catfish for public fishing. 
A long-term plan by Cassetti is to make a small area of the pond suitable for swimming once again.


This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall.