Shelton Lakes Greenway
450+ acres, 3 reservoirs, 10 miles of trails, Eklund Garden
***See trail and mileage maps on right--->

Notice: 2008 maps are obsolete.  Download a 2009 map at right, or pick up a greenway brochure at City Hall, the Community Center, Plumb Library, or one of the trailheads.

"Shelton Lakes Greenway" is the name given to a linear park in the heart of Shelton that includes three reservoirs and ten miles of hiking trails.  The three reservoirs were recently renamed to Hope Lake (aka "Nell's Rock Reservoir"), Pine Lake and Silent Waters.  The terrain is moderate and the trails are generally rated easy.  The park is centrally located for easy access to all Shelton residents, and has become a regional destination for hikers and mountain bikers. 

Shelton Lakes Recreation Path: 4.3 easy miles. From the reservoir on Shelton Ave (108) to Huntington Center, but northern and southern sections do not yet connect except by a detour onto Dominick Trail (the Bridge-to-Bridge route).  The first 1.25 mile is crushed stone or asphalt and is handicapped accessible. Passes High School, Middle School, Pine Lake, Silent Waters and Hope Lake. 

Feature: "Bridge to Bridge" (B2B) hike: 4.8 miles (less if you stop at Lane Street). The route we used for Trails Day from 2005 to 2009, a combination of the Rec Path and Dominick Trail.  Start at reservoir on Shelton Ave (Pine Lake) and end in Huntington Center, passing three reservoirs and the Eklund Native Species Garden.  Blazed yellow, then orange, then yellow. See the slideshow "Shelton Lakes Greenway from Bridge to Bridge."

Oak Valley Trail: 2.2 miles, easy loop. Trailhead on Nell's Rock Road at Hope Lake (formerly Nell's Rock Reservoir). Access points on Shelton Avenue.  Blazed white. One spot very prone to mud, and the powerline crossing tend to become overgrown in June before volunteers can cut back the growth.

Feature: Self-Guided Nature Hike on Oak Valley Trail: Includes a map with numbered stops.  NOTICE: This is an old map and the numbers do NOT correspond to waymarkers or any other numbers in the field, only to numbers in the text.

Dominick Trail:  A major north/south artery that connects the Shelton Lakes trails.  Dominick Trail crosses Nell's Rock Trail, Oak Valley Trail and the Rec Path. About 1.7 miles long (one way), easy hiking.  Trailheads are on John Dominick Drive, off of Buddington Road, and on Shelton Avenue at the power line crossing.   This trail may be converted to the Paugussett Trail soon, after which it will be blazed light blue.  The path leads to Eklund Native Species Garden near Oak Valley Road.

Nell's Rock Trail:  Shelton Lakes Region. A very easy 1.6 mile loop (or optional 0.6 mile half loop) trail ideal for children, peaceful strolls or as an exercise loop.   Located off of Nell's Rock Road across from L'Hermitage Condominiums and Chordas Pond.  Kids love the caves but use caution.  This is the most remote trail at Shelton lakes and has become a favorite trail for people with dogs, but use caution since dogs that stray too far from owners can be attacked by the coyotes.

Turkey Trot Trail (Cross-Country Trail):   An easy to moderate 2.2 mile outer loop and one mile inner loop used by the High School Cross-Country Team.  Joins up with the Rec Path route along the "hidden reservoir" and old dam.

Background information about Shelton Lakes:

"Shelton Lakes" describes the area around Shelton Avenue & Nell's Rock Road. Much of this land was purchased by the City in 1998 as surplus water company property after a 1997 referendum. Part of this property was used to build the new middle school, while the remainder is restricted by State law to "passive recreation" (no ballfields or ATV tracks allowed).  For more information:

SHELTON LAKES GREENWAY - Comprehensive Plan for Utilization, by Thomas Harbinson, Conservation Commission, 1999