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Roseland Park

poets at large

Historic Roseland Park opened in 1876. It consists of 60.3 acres of wooded land and waterfront along Roseland Lake. Although the park is private property, it is open to the public. See History, Facilities and Activities, Directions, Hours, Volunteers, Board, Fishing, Park Rules and More Information below.

History

The park was donated by the Bowen Family to the people of Woodstock and the surrounding towns. The park is operated by the Trustees of the Bowen Family Trust under the will of Henry C. Bowen. Henry C. Bowen was a Woodstock native who became an influential New York merchant, publisher, abolitionist and philanthropist. He spent his summers in a retreat he built on Woodstock Hill. The house is called Roseland Cottage, or "The Pink House." It is now maintained by Historic New England. (See more information on the Historic New England website). 

 Beginning in May with a Plant Sale and ending with the now famous Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival in October, the Pink House has wonderful family events planned all summer long and into the fall.

The park originally accommodated hoards of attendees of the Fourth of July parties that Bowen hosted each year. Bowen used to charge a small entrance fee, and there was parking for 1,200 horses and buggies.  In Victorian days, it sported more than 1,000 rosebushes, gilded fountains, decorative statuary, wooded walking trails, statuary and a Gothic windmill, a boat house, dining room, and bunaglows with maid service.  A black cast iron St. Bernard can still be viewed at the Woodstock

Golf Course Clubhouse

The Roseland Park Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers are working together to restore and maintain the park. They encourage visitors to respect the park's heritage and property.

The park closes at sunset. A caretaker lives on the property, and also maintains the Woodstock Golf Course (a nine-hole, 110 acre golf course, also offering golf lessons with a PGA Pro) across the street. Park rules are posted at the entrance to the park, and provided below.

Facilities and Activities

  • Playground, boating, fishing, picnicking, walking and running. No swimming or camping is permitted. Pets must be leashed.
  • Lake and grounds, pavilion, basketball court, benches, boat launch.
  • Rental: The park can be reserved for for weddings or parties.
  • Park Phone Number: (860) 963-9557.
  • Park Superintendent:  Rick Harless.

Directions

The park is located in southeastern Woodstock, CT, on Roseland Park Road (near the intersection of 169 and 171). From I-395, Exit 97 (Route 44), head west on Route 44, turn right on Route 171 north, then turn right on Route 169 north and turn right on Roseland Park Road. Golf Course is on the left, Park is on the right.

Hours

  • December 1 - March 14 - 8 a.m. to sunset
  • March 15 - November 30: 7 a.m. to sunset

Volunteers

Board of Trustees

Water Quality and Fishing

  • Roseland Lake is a 96.4 acre natural lake fed by Muddy Brook, Mill Brook and two smaller unnamed streams. It drains into Shephard's Pond, which flows into the Little River and then to the Quinebaug River. Water quality has been an issue at Roseland Park, primarily due to high nitrates.
  • Fishing: The pond is stocked each spring with catchable size brown and rainbow trout. It is reportedly good for black crappie, fair for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch and sunfish. Ice fishing for panfish is popular.

Roseland Park Rules (01/07/2008)

  • Use the park at your own risk. Upon entering this park, you agree that you are doing so at your own risk. You use the park facilities at your own risk. Neither the Trustees, the Trust or any park employee shall be responsible for any loss or damage, of any kind, to your person or property arising out of your use of this park or any of its equipment or facilities.
  • Park recreation areas shall be open to the public daily between the hours of 7 a.m. and sunset from March 15 until November 30, and between the hours of 8 a.m. and sunset from December 1 until March 14. The Trustees or Park Manager reserves the right to close or alter normal operating hours for special events.
  • Boats shall be launched from posted areas only. Use of boats are to conform to U.S. Coast Guard Boating regulations.
  • Picnicking shall be limited to those places designate by the Trustees of Roseland Park or the Park Manager.
  • Fishing is permitting between the hours of operation. All fishing is subject to the provisions of Chapter 490 of the CT General Statutes and regulations adopted thereunder.
  • No camping is permitting.
  • No swimming is permitted.
  • No alcoholic beverages are permitted.
  • Fires may be kindled only in grills, stoves, fireplaces or other designated campfire facilities. All park patrons are to comply with posted fire regulations. No person may kindle or maintain a fire within (5) feet of any tree, building, or shrub. No fire shall be left unattended. All fires are to be thoroughly extinguished prior to departure from the picnic site.
  • No person shall dispose of any material except in provided receptacles.
  • Disposing of any material in Roseland Park which was not accumulated during the use of such facilities is prohibited.
  • No person shall use any building or structure for any purpose other than that for which it is designated.
  • No person shall attach any item to a faucet without prior approval of the Park Manager or his staff.
  • Bicycle riding on foot trails is prohibited. use of any trail, road or path posted as closed is prohibited.
  • No person shall erect or post any notice or sign upon park property unless authorized by the park manager.
  • Trustees assume no responsibility for loss or theft of patrons personal property during their visit or use of Roseland Park.
  • Pets which are on a leash and are under the control of their owner or keeper are permitted. Seeing-eye and hearing-ear dogs are permitted in all areas not closed to the public while accompanied by the person needing their assistance. Pet owners or keepers are responsible for the removal an proper disposal of pet feces from the property of Roseland Park.
  • Riding animals are prohibited. Permission to take riding animals on the paved roads must be obtained b the Trustees or the Park manager.
  • No person shall deface, destroy, alter or otherwise injure in any manner any structures, buildings, vegetation, earth or rock material, trees or fuel wood, nor shall any wildlife be molested or disturbed.
  • The Trustees or park Manage may grant, upon request, permission to collect specimens, take samples and conduct other investigations for scientific or educational purposes.

More Information