Project Description
Sega Meadows Park is a public park located between the Housatonic River and River Road in New Milford, CT. The Town purchased the original 23-acre property in 1992 but had not developed the park due to limited pedestrian access, lack of parking and the public's fear of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination from the General Electric (GE) Pittsfield Plant up the river in Massachusetts. In 2005, Northeast Utilities entered into a lease agreement with the Town to allow public access on an adjacent 65.12 acre parcel, expanding the size of the park to over 88 acres.
In 2007, the Town received $75,217 from the Connecticut SubCouncil of the Housatonic River Natural Resource Trustees to develop the park by constructing trails, a multiuse path, a fishing dock in a small pond and access points along the river for anglers. The entrance to the park was upgraded by adding an access road and parking area for up to 12 vehicles. Park amenities were purchased and installed including picnic tables, bike racks, an information kiosk and interpretive signage. Five wood duck nest boxes and 10 bluebird houses were installed in the park and invasive species management was implemented, including herbicide treatment for Phragmites (common reeds) around the pond for three years and the physical removal of Russian olive from the meadow for two years. After that was completed, two years of post-restoration monitoring was conducted to ensure that the invasive species were under control. Sega Meadows Park has increased in popularity and is now one of the most popular parks in New Milford.
Restoration Land Ownership
County or Municipal; Private
DOI Project Representatives
Fish and Wildlife Service