Governor Rell Announces Purchase of Bogus Farm Property in Bethel

Press Release

Governor Rell Announces Purchase of Bogus Farm Property in Bethel

134-Acre Parcel is Adjacent to Huntington State Park

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state of Connecticut is adding to its open space holdings with the purchase of 134 acres of the Bogus Farm property, located in Bethel adjacent to the popular Collis P. Huntington State Park.

"Bogus Farm is an impressive and important purchase for us," Governor Rell said during a ceremony at the entrance to the park. "This property was one of the largest undeveloped areas in northern Fairfield County held in private ownership. It contains outstanding natural resources and a developed trail system. The property also connects to Huntington State Park and will expand the recreational opportunities available to people who visit that park. We appreciate the Schrijver family's willingness to sell this land to the state and preserve it for all of us - and for future generations - to enjoy.

"Through Connecticut's nationally recognized ‘No Child Left Inside' initiative, we have been working hard to encourage families to get outside, visit our state parks and reconnect with the wonders of the natural world," the Governor said. "With the purchase of the Bogus Farm we are making Huntington State Park an even more exciting place to visit. We hope this will encourage families to come out to hike the trails and view the wonderful ponds, streams and rock formations in the park and on the farm property."

The state purchased the land from its owner, Bobbie Schrijver, for $4 million. Funds were available through the Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust, which is managed by the Department of Environmental Protection and funded through bonding periodically authorized by the state Bond Commission.

The purchase of the Bogus Farm property is the second major open space acquisition by the state in recent months. In January, the state announced the purchase of the 308-acre Francis M. Deluca property, located in the towns of Cornwall and Canaan. This purchase expanded the Housatonic State Forest and provided an additional 2,700 feet of frontage along the Upper Housatonic River Trout Management Area.

"These open space purchases demonstrate our continuing commitment to preserving the charm, beauty and character of Connecticut even as we seek to expand employment and housing opportunities for our citizens," Governor Rell said. "Through the principles of my ‘Responsible Growth' program, we can encourage the growth we need to sustain prosperity while protecting and preserving important natural resources like the Bogus Farm and Francis M. Deluca properties."

Background on Schrijver Property

Most of the 134-acre property is in Bethel, but a portion is located in Redding. The land features a portion of the headwaters that feed the lakes in the Huntington state park, numerous vernal pools, a trail system that interconnects with the trail system in the state park and many interesting and unique rock formations characteristic of Connecticut's southwestern hills.

Background on Collis P. Huntington State Park

Collis P. Huntington State Park was primarily in agricultural use until the Luttgen family acquired the land in the late 1800s and developed the present service roads, trails and artificial ponds. Reportedly, a small steam paddlewheeler was kept on the largest pond and is now sunk somewhere under the park waters. A short, stone lighthouse still remains on one of the islands. Later, the Starratt family owned the estate until the 1930s, when the land was acquired by Archer M. Huntington, who willed the land of the homestead he called Stanerigg for a state park.

It was there that his wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington, an internationally famous sculptress, worked with clay and scaffolding in her studio. The park is named after Archer Huntington's father, railroad tycoon Collis Potter Huntington (1821-1900). Collis Potter Huntington became one of the wealthiest men in the country through his promotion and completion of the first transcontinental railroad. He also established the largest shipyard and dry dock company in the United States in the late 1800s at Newport News, Virginia.

Anna Hyatt Huntington's sculptures of bears and wolves welcome visitors at the park entrance. Also well-known in the area is her heroic statue of General Israel Putnam at the Putnam Memorial State Park entrance in Redding, which was created when Mrs. Huntington was in her 90s.

Since Mr. and Mrs. Huntington were careful to preserve the natural quality of their land, the 883-acre park is now a wonderfully tranquil place. It spreads over fields and dense woodlands and includes five ponds. The park was opened to the public in 1973 after Mrs. Huntington's death. The park is popular for a variety of activities, including hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and fishing. One well-used trail is the Blue Trail, which circles the park in a 5.7 mile loop.

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