“3-WALK WEEKEND”  May 18 and 19, 2019

Please join us, once again, for our three-walk series of leisurely guided walks of about an hour each to learn more about and enjoy the wonderful springtime features of Valley Falls Park. We meet at the gazebo in the Park at 350 Valley Falls Road in Vernon. For more information, call Ginny at 860.875.9865.

“Birds of Valley Falls” Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 7:30 AM, led by Denise Anamani.  We will observe and identify the bluebirds and other native–and some migrating–species found in their various habitats at the park, bring your bird apps and binoculars!

“Wildflower Walk” Saturday, May 18, 2018, at 1:00 PM, led by Ginny Gingras and Carol Hatch.  We will walk Ginny’s favorite wildflower paths to identify and enjoy old favorites and some members of the orchid family that are hard to find anywhere else.

“Rocks, Railroads, and History Walk” May19, at 1:00 PM, Don Sierakowski will tell us about the Geology and History of Valley Falls Park, including the fascinating story of the Railroad running nearby.

Please join us for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, September 30, 2018, in the basement of the RED BARN, 350 Valley Falls Road, at 1 pm.  Following our meeting, and light refreshments our guest speaker, Amy Blaymore Patterson now Director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC), will talk about the importance of preserved land in Connecticut and a very important new initiative of CLCC.  See you there!

there is limited parking in the barnyard, much better parking at Valley Falls Park

Summer Fun for just yourself, or your whole family!  Join us on Saturday, July 14 or Sunday, July 29, from 10am-2pm for a guided tour of our original historic farm buildings and hear about their history as a “gentleman’s farm.”   Visit Vernon Garden Club’s Herb Garden and take a leisurely walk through the scenic grounds, imagining a time gone by.  Park at the RED BARN 350 Valley Falls Road.

OR, join us for the very same tour in August on Saturday the 11th, or Sunday the 26th, 10am-2pm.

Open House, June 17, 2018

Join us for OPEN HOUSE DAY on Sunday, June 10, from 10 am to 2 pm…..This one-day event begins with a FAMILY NATURE WALK at 10 am, led by our own Jane Seymour, Wildlife Technician, CT Dept of Energy and Environmental Protection (meet at the pavilion in the Park) and hourly tours of Valley Falls Farm and the Red Barn (meet at the Red Barn).  This event is held yearly as part of the CT OPEN HOUSE which showcases Connecticut’s diverse history/art/culture offerings in all 169 towns.  Parking is available at Valley Falls Park Parking lot, or limited parking at the Red Barn, 350 Valley Falls Road, Vernon.

Please join us, once again, for our three-walk series of leisurely guided walks of about an hour each to learn more about and enjoy the wonderful springtime features of Valley Falls Park.  We meet at the gazebo in the Park at 350 Valley Falls Road in Vernon.  For more information, call Ginny at 860.875.9865.

“Wildflower Walk” Sunday, May 6, 2018, at 12 noon, led by Ginny Gingras and Carol Hatch.  We will walk Ginny’s favorite wildflower paths to identify and enjoy old favorites and some members of the orchid family that are hard to find anywhere else!

“Rocks, Rails and Industry Walk” Sunday, May 6, 2018, at 1 PM, led by Jon Roe.  Jon will take us on a jaunt through the historic part of Valley Falls Park and let us in on some secrets about its past………

“Birds of Valley Falls” Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 7:30 AM, led by Denise Anamani.  We will observe and identify the bluebirds and other native species found in their various habitats at the park, bring your bird apps and binoculars!

Join us for the Annual meeting of the Friends of Valley Falls on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at the Red Barn on Valley Falls Road, at 1 pm.  After a brief FVF business meeting, Master Wildlife Conservationist Paul Colburn will present a program on the history of “Coyotes in Connecticut.”  Mr Colburn will give an overview of the animal’s habitat, diet, behavior and reproduction.  He will offer practical recommendations for coexistence with the coyote population of Vernon, and answer questions.  He will also share coyote artifacts with the audience during the free program.  Colburn is a graduate of the Master Wildlife Conservationist Program at the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

For more information,  https://paulcmwcpinct.wixsite.com/mwcinfo 

Some parking is available in the barnyard, please park at the Valley Falls Park lot and follow the trail to the barn.

August 20, 2017

This year’s Artists Day at Valley Falls Farm will be held on Sunday, August 20th. The public is invited to stroll through the fields between 1:00 and 3:30 pm, and enjoy the art of the plein air artists painting on the grounds. Other paintings by the artists will be on display in the red barn and will be available for sale. Tours of the historic buildings will be given on the hour, sparked with tales of the intriguing history of the “gentleman farmers” that once owned Valley Falls Farm. Live musicians will play on the porch of the farmhouse during the afternoon, funded by the Vernon Arts Commission. The herb and flower gardens in the old cold frames, planted and tended by the Vernon Garden Club, add to the experience.

Mark your calendar – August 20th – for a quintessential summer afternoon experience at Valley Falls Farm!

Please park at Valley Falls Parking Lot….you can follow our signs up the trail to the Barn, or a shuttle will provide a ride.

CT Open House Day, Saturday, June 10, 2017

Join us for CT Open House Day at Valley Falls Farm. Free tours of Valley Falls Farm and a free nature program for families in Valley Falls Park will be offered as part of the local celebration of Connecticut Open House Day. The Friends will host free historical tours of the Farm between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

A Family Bird Walk will be given in Valley Falls Park by wildlife biologist, Jane Seymour of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The program will begin at 9:00 am and will end at 10:00 am. Meet in the gazebo. Come learn about birds and go for a walk!

This 13th annual Connecticut Open House Day is sponsored by the CT Department of Culture and Tourism. The one-day statewide event is designed to showcase Connecticut’s diverse world of history, art, and tourism.

Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, 2017

The birds are singing anew, wildflowers are popping and the wide world of Valley Falls Park waits to share some springtime secrets with you…….The Friends of Valley Falls will be sponsoring their annual “Weekend Walks” series of guided walks in the Park.

Each walk will be a leisurely ramble lasting about an hour.  Meet at the gazebo in the Park at 350 Valley Falls Road, Vernon.  Call Ginny, 860.875.9865, for more information.  Come, enjoy the Park and its springtime bounty!

“Birds in the Park,” a birdwalk led by naturalist, Denise Anamani, on Saturday, May 20, at 7:30 am.

“Wildflowers in the Park,” a wildflower walk led by Ginny Gingras also on Saturday, May 20, at 1 pm.

“Rocks, Railroads, and Industry,” a geology and history walk led by Don Sierakowski on Sunday, May 21, at 1 pm.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING!

Sunday, September 25 at 1:00 p.m.

At the Red Barn, Valley Falls Park, 345 Valley Falls Rd, Vernon.

The “Bear” Facts at Valley Falls
A presentation on “Black Bears in Connecticut”

by Paul Colburn, Master Wildlife Conservationist

Would you like to get the “bear” facts about the black bears that were roaming the Valley Falls hillsides this spring? Join us for our annual meeting and presentation by Paul Colburn, Master Wildlife Conservationist (MWC), on “Black Bears in Connecticut.” Mr. Coburn will talk about the natural history of black bears in the state, and their habitat, diet, behavior, and reproduction. He will also talk about current research efforts and how to coexist with our black bear population. A display table with various bear artifacts will be available. The talk is intended for ages 12 and up.

Paul Colburn is a certified Master Wildlife Conservationist and a graduate of an interesting program at the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection called the Master Wildlife Conservationist Program. The program trains participants in the fields of wildlife management, natural history and interpretation.