A Mid-Winter Night's Dream of Sledding

The town of Vernon could not have picked a better winter to extend the sledding day at Henry Park. 

Yes, when Mayor Jason McCoy made the announcement that lights had been installed on the popular sledding hill, it was Jan. 26 and more than 70 inches of snow had already fallen in north central Connecticut. But since then, two more significant storms have hit the area with about another 2 feet. 

Now there is a solid natural base that could last the winter and rival some skiing and snowboarding hills.

''The lights will allow for a safe environment and extended sledding hours in a well-lit area,'' says McCoy. 

The hill, situated just below Fox Hill Tower, has always been one of the more popular spots in town for sledding and the view of Vernon. It will now stay open until 8 p.m. daily with the help of the lights, McCoy says. 

Parking is available to the Horowitz Pool lot at the base of the hill and near the tower at its summit.

For more information, call the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department at 860-870-3520. 

Here are some other great sledding hills in north central Connecticut: 

• Vernon Center Middle School, 777 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon.

• Ellington Middle School, 46  Middle Butcher Road, Ellington. 

• Horse Barn Hill, 3636 Horse Barn Road., Storrs, near the UConn Animal Sciences Building. 

• Mabelle B. Avery Middle School, 1 Vision Boulevard, Somers.

• Enfield High School, 1264 Enfield St., Enfield. 

• Windsor Locks Town Hall, 50 Church St., Windsor Locks. 

• Tolland Middle School, 1 Falcon Way, Tolland.

• Oliver Ellsworth Elementary School, 730 Kennedy Road, Windsor. 

• Center Springs Memorial Park, corner of Main and Center streets, Manchester.