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| == History == | == History == | ||
| In his book on Connecticut's state park's, author Joseph Leary |
In his book on Connecticut's state park's, author Joseph Leary traces the name to when the land was used by the Stone family, who claimed it was the highest working farm by elevation in all of Connecticut.<ref name=leary /> During the 19th-century, the site was considered for the "Above-All Mountain House", a holiday resort, but it was never built.<ref name=green /> Leary writes that despite its name, the park is not "Above All" in terms of scale, views or elevation and cites the scale of ], the views of ] and the elevation of ].<ref name=leary /> There are two competing claims in publications about how the park obtained its name. According to ''Connecticut; a Guide to Its Roads, Lore, and People'', the park is noted for its "woodland trails, excellent views, and a 'top of the world' isolation that explains its name."<ref name="book1">{{cite book | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uvvqa9ctEmMC&pg=PA455&dq=%22Above-All%22+connecticut+park&hl=en&sa=X&ei=20B4U5KnLqrLsQTQ0YDIDQ&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=%22Above-All%22%20connecticut%20park&f=false | title=Connecticut; a Guide to Its Roads, Lore, and People, | author=Federal Writers' Project | year=1938 | pages=455}}</ref> | ||
| The park was founded in 1927 when the heirs of Seymour Strong gifted three acres of land to the state.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19280112&id=N6AtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e3EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3808,823106 | title=Park Commission To Buy 125 Acres For State Forest | publisher=The Day | date=January 12, 1928 | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref> It became the 36th state park and by 1934 had reached its present size of 31 acres.<ref>{{cite book | title=Connecticut Register and Manual | publisher=State of Connecticut | year=1934 | pages=235}}</ref> From June 1957 to June 1968, the state park became a military installation known as the New Preston Gap-Filler RADAR Annex |
The park was founded in 1927 when the heirs of Seymour Strong gifted three acres of land to the state.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19280112&id=N6AtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e3EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3808,823106 | title=Park Commission To Buy 125 Acres For State Forest | publisher=The Day | date=January 12, 1928 | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref> It became the 36th state park and by 1934 had reached its present size of 31 acres.<ref>{{cite book | title=Connecticut Register and Manual | publisher=State of Connecticut | year=1934 | pages=235}}</ref> From June 1957 to June 1968, the state park became a military installation known as the New Preston Gap-Filler RADAR Annex P-50A /Z-50A. In 1968, a dirt road and a cinder block building, a bunker, was added to the top of the hill as part of an upgrade to the site.<ref name=leary /><ref name=green /> Located behind the bunker was the launchpad for the Nike missiles, each carrying a 2-to-40 kiloton nuclear warhead.<ref name=green /> The site also functioned as the command and control center, but Bedell states that it was the command center for the twelve Nike sites across Connecticut.<ref name=leary /><ref name=green /> However, the site is also described as an unmanned gap-filler that provided low altitude coverage.<ref name=cold /> The site "consisted of the radar and tower along with the building which contained the radar equipment and a diesel generator".<ref name=cold>{{cite web | url=http://coldwar-ct.com/Nike_Warren.html | title=SAGE New Preston | publisher=Cold War CT | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref> Bedell states that the park reappeared on the maps after its decommissioning, but has since reverted to secrecy.<ref name=green /> This claim of secrecy is countered by it being listed on the ] website.<ref name=DEEP /> | ||
| In 1981, the park was the subject of a study by ] as a possible ] site. An ] and wind vane were placed atop a {{convert|65|ft|m}} tower and recorded wind data for at least a year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19810117&id=kBUiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CXUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1080,2523696 | title=Northeast Utilities studying wind power | publisher=The Day | date=17 January 1981 | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref> | In 1981, the park was the subject of a study by ] as a possible ] site. An ] and wind vane were placed atop a {{convert|65|ft|m}} tower and recorded wind data for at least a year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19810117&id=kBUiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CXUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1080,2523696 | title=Northeast Utilities studying wind power | publisher=The Day | date=17 January 1981 | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref> | ||
| == Status == | == Status == | ||
| The Above All State Park is managed by the ], but it is unmarked and undeveloped.<ref name="leary">{{cite book | title=A Shared Landscape: A Guide & History of Connecticut's State Parks & Forests | publisher=Friends of the Connecticut State Parks, Inc. | author=Leary, Joseph | year=2004 | pages=228 | isbn=0974662909}}</ref> The location of the military site is the subject of debate because the website Radomes states that the site is "not within a state park as earlier reported", but proceeds to give the same directions and description as Leary and Bedell.<ref name=radome>{{cite web | url=http://www.radomes.org/museum/parsehtml.php?key=NewPrestonCT.html&type=recent_html | title=Recent photos of New Preston, CT GFA | publisher=Radomes | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=leary /><ref name=green /> Photos included on the Radome website show the condition of the site in 2001 and 2006, both show the buildings are extant in "excellent condition", but the |
The Above All State Park is managed by the ], but it is unmarked and undeveloped.<ref name="leary">{{cite book | title=A Shared Landscape: A Guide & History of Connecticut's State Parks & Forests | publisher=Friends of the Connecticut State Parks, Inc. | author=Leary, Joseph | year=2004 | pages=228 | isbn=0974662909}}</ref> The location of the military site is the subject of debate because the website Radomes states that the site is "not within a state park as earlier reported", but proceeds to give the same directions and description as Leary and Bedell.<ref name=radome>{{cite web | url=http://www.radomes.org/museum/parsehtml.php?key=NewPrestonCT.html&type=recent_html | title=Recent photos of New Preston, CT GFA | publisher=Radomes | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=leary /><ref name=green /> Photos included on the Radome website show the condition of the site in 2001 and 2006, both show the buildings are extant in "excellent condition", but the site says the radar tower and chain-link fencing are missing. The site has been vandalized by graffiti.<ref name=radome /> | ||
| The park is accessed off ] and requires passing a barred gate before visitors.<ref name=leary /> There are no facilities, toilets, or other markers at the Above All State Park, and the park has some informal trails near the top of the park, but these are not maintained or marked by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.<ref name=leary /> | The park is accessed off ] and requires passing a barred gate before visitors.<ref name=leary /> There are no facilities, toilets, or other markers at the Above All State Park, and the park has some informal trails near the top of the park, but these are not maintained or marked by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.<ref name=leary /> | ||
Revision as of 23:37, 26 December 2014
Above All State Park is an undeveloped Connecticut state park located in the town of Warren. The park was founded in 1927 and it became a military installation known as the New Preston Gap-Filler RADAR Annex P-50A /Z-50A from June 1957 to June 1968. It later returned to being a state park, but the remnants of the Cold War defense installation is still extant. There are no markers, toilets, or other facilities at the Above All State Park. The park has some informal trails near the top of the park that are not maintained or marked by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
History
In his book on Connecticut's state park's, author Joseph Leary traces the name to when the land was used by the Stone family, who claimed it was the highest working farm by elevation in all of Connecticut. During the 19th-century, the site was considered for the "Above-All Mountain House", a holiday resort, but it was never built. Leary writes that despite its name, the park is not "Above All" in terms of scale, views or elevation and cites the scale of Lake Waramaug State Park, the views of Mount Tom State Park and the elevation of Dennis Hill State Park. There are two competing claims in publications about how the park obtained its name. According to Connecticut; a Guide to Its Roads, Lore, and People, the park is noted for its "woodland trails, excellent views, and a 'top of the world' isolation that explains its name."
The park was founded in 1927 when the heirs of Seymour Strong gifted three acres of land to the state. It became the 36th state park and by 1934 had reached its present size of 31 acres. From June 1957 to June 1968, the state park became a military installation known as the New Preston Gap-Filler RADAR Annex P-50A /Z-50A. In 1968, a dirt road and a cinder block building, a bunker, was added to the top of the hill as part of an upgrade to the site. Located behind the bunker was the launchpad for the Nike missiles, each carrying a 2-to-40 kiloton nuclear warhead. The site also functioned as the command and control center, but Bedell states that it was the command center for the twelve Nike sites across Connecticut. However, the site is also described as an unmanned gap-filler that provided low altitude coverage. The site "consisted of the radar and tower along with the building which contained the radar equipment and a diesel generator". Bedell states that the park reappeared on the maps after its decommissioning, but has since reverted to secrecy. This claim of secrecy is countered by it being listed on the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection website.
In 1981, the park was the subject of a study by Northeast Utilities as a possible wind power site. An anemometer and wind vane were placed atop a 65 feet (20 m) tower and recorded wind data for at least a year.
Status
The Above All State Park is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, but it is unmarked and undeveloped. The location of the military site is the subject of debate because the website Radomes states that the site is "not within a state park as earlier reported", but proceeds to give the same directions and description as Leary and Bedell. Photos included on the Radome website show the condition of the site in 2001 and 2006, both show the buildings are extant in "excellent condition", but the site says the radar tower and chain-link fencing are missing. The site has been vandalized by graffiti.
The park is accessed off Connecticut Route 341 and requires passing a barred gate before visitors. There are no facilities, toilets, or other markers at the Above All State Park, and the park has some informal trails near the top of the park, but these are not maintained or marked by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
References
- ^ "Above All State Park". State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
- ^ Leary, Joseph (2004). A Shared Landscape: A Guide & History of Connecticut's State Parks & Forests. Friends of the Connecticut State Parks, Inc. p. 228. ISBN 0974662909.
- ^ Bedell, David. "Connecticut's Nuclear Weapons". Green Party of Connecticut. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
- Federal Writers' Project (1938). Connecticut; a Guide to Its Roads, Lore, and People,. p. 455.
- "Park Commission To Buy 125 Acres For State Forest". The Day. January 12, 1928. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- Connecticut Register and Manual. State of Connecticut. 1934. p. 235.
- ^ "SAGE New Preston". Cold War CT. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- "Northeast Utilities studying wind power". The Day. 17 January 1981. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
- ^ "Recent photos of New Preston, CT GFA". Radomes. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
External links
- Above All State Park Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection