Come Enjoy One of Tolland's Recreational Treasures

In 2009, CNN’s Money Magazine ranked Tolland 27 out of 100 of America’s best small towns to live in, and one asset that adds charm, residents agree, is .

“The park is a well-maintained and beautiful place that’s great for hiking, sports and Geocaching. I really like Crandall Park. It’s a cool place,” resident James Cefaratti said recently.

About:

The public park consists of more than 400 scenic acres, including four miles of varied terrain hiking trails. There are paved, handicap-accessible trails; one circles the recreational area and leads through the woods. Other amenities include a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, lighted basketball and tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, a gazebo and an open-sided pavilion overlooking Crandall Pond.

The three-acre Crandall Pond is the only public beach and swimming area in Tolland. Nearby Powell Pond can be used for non-motorized boating and fishing for those with a state fishing license. A boat launch area is located by the parking lot near the baseball fields.

History:

Powell Pond was formerly the site of a gristmill, which was used to grind local corn and other grains. An apple orchard was once home to where the Lions Club baseball field is now located. In the fall, the apples were ground into cider, which is how Cider Mill Road (the location of the park) received its name.

When the mill was no longer functional, the Crandall family, the owners of the land, ran swimming lessons (for a small fee) in the pond during the summer for Tolland children, and of course there was ice-skating in the winter.

Lily Crandall leased the pond to the town when she reached an age when she no wanted the responsibility of upkeep and management, and in 1966, the town purchased what is now known as Crandall Park from the Crandall family with money from federal and state open space acquisition grants. The original sale was of the 3-acre pond and 36 acres of land. The Crandall house, which was torn down in 1986, once stood in where the gazebo is currently located.

The town continued to make changes to the property, primarily with community funding, In 1968, a well was dug, a septic system installed and a bathroom building was built. The Tolland Cub Scouts donated a monkey bar set and a swing set for the park, and the Junior Women donated and planted trees and shrubs.

Between 1970 and 1990, hiking and nature trails, horseshoe pits and a concession stand were added to the grounds. More playground equipment was added, the pavilion, lighted basketball and tennis courts were built and a swimming raft was put in the pond. A new park sign was also installed and the parking lot was expanded. The original softball field has been moved to allow for expansion, and new lights were installed. More parking lots have since been paved and more hiking trails added. The swimming raft and picnic tables have been replaced, new grills have been installed, and a brick patio has been added around the pavilion.

Updates:

Some things you can expect this season at Crandall Park include the pavilion being rebuilt after its  in February, due to the record-breaking amounts of snow.

Also, according to Tom Ainsworth, Tolland director of recreation, it costs more than $16,000 to keep the beach at Crandall Pond open for swimming in the summer. Because there was only a swimming fee for the weekends in the past, the necessary funds came from other programs, which put “a burden on other programs,” Ainsworth said. To offset the cost of keeping the beach open seven days a week from late June to mid August, a $2 per resident fee to swim will now be collected during the week as well as on the weekend. Non-residents must pay $5. “We know we won’t bring in enough money from beach fees to cover all the expenses associated with keeping the beach open, but we feel it is necessary to try and recoup at least some of the cost,” Ainsworth said.

Fishing season began on April 16. Licenses are available in the Town Clerk’s Office during business hours. Resident Inland Fishing licenses cost $28, Resident Marine Fishing is $10 and Resident All Waters Fishing license is $32. 

Rental:

You can rent the Lodge at Crandall Park year-round for your events. The building is available for weekdays, weeknights and weekends for your parties of no more than 100 people. Rental includes a covered deck on two sides with a large fieldstone fireplace, cathedral ceiling and cedar siding. The amenities include a kitchen with a warming oven, microwave, and double door refrigerator, tables and chairs, clean bathrooms, 6’ gas grills and horseshoe pits.  Rental fees range from $20 per hour to $50 per hour with at $200 refundable security deposit to reserve the date. For more information or for reservations, call 860.871.3610.

Because of the recent collapse, the Pavilion at Crandall Park is currently unavailable for rent. Check the Web site for updates on construction and availability for rent.

Editors note: Information about the two ponds at the park was updated on April 19th.