Merritt Family Forest Mountain Biking Trails

This 75-acre property extends from the top of Fort Hill along Route 1 to Fishtown Road. It is a critical link in an important greenbelt tying together many town-owned and state-owned lands, connecting inland parcels with the shores of Long Island Sound. The Merritt Family Forest is contiguous to the Groton Town-owned land including the Mortimer Wright Nature Preserve which connects to Haley Farm State Park and Bluff Point State Park and Coastal Reserve. Combined, over 1,160 acres of habitat area are available for wildlife and watershed protection.

Part of the original Fanning/ Eccleston Farm, founded in 1705, it ranged from the top of Fort Hill to the common lands of Noank, a few miles away, and included up to 200 acres. The original 1732 farmhouse and fields still exist on 6 acres of land adjacent to the Merritt property. The Francis E. Merritt family acquired the property in 1868. Fort Hill was the site of the fortified village of Chief Sassacus, later occupied by Robin Cassasinamon and his tribe in 1669. There is one known colonial archeological site on the property and four Native American campsites in close proximity as documented by Nicholas Bellantoni, State Archeologist.

In 2002, the property was considered for residential development and GOSA recommended a plan to lessen the impact of stormwater runoff to Eccleston Brook. This large tract of land is a key property connection in Groton’s east-west greenbelt. Development threatened habitat fragmentation and loss. Subsequently, both the developer and the Merritt family offered GOSA the opportunity to purchase the property. Nelson Merritt, grandson of Francis E. Merritt acted as trustee for the family.

Acquired in May of 2008, this project was funded by member donations, community clubs, local organizations, businesses, local and national foundations, and grants from the CT DEEP Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program.

The State of CT holds a conservation easement on the 75-acre property.