Old Northville Road in New Milford, CT

INTRODUCTION
In 1981 the Connecticut General Assembly enacted Section 7-149a of the General Statutes, the State’s "Scenic Roads Act". This enabling legislation has authorized cities and towns to designate lightly traveled local roadways characterized by identified scenic qualities as protected Scenic Roads.

For designation as a Scenic Road the road must, by law, be free of intensive commercial development and must meet at least one of the following criteria: It is unpaved; It offers scenic views; It is bordered by mature trees or stone walls; The traveled portion is no more than twenty feet wide in width; It blends naturally into the surrounding terrain; Or it parallels or crosses over brooks, streams, lakes or ponds.

In addition, for designation to occur the owners of a majority of the land fronting the roadway (or portion to be designated) must agree to the designation by filing a written statement of approval with the town. Usually this takes the form of a petition signed by abutting owners, which will then be verified by the municipal assessor to assure that more than fifty per cent of the road frontage concurs with the designation.

By adopting a scenic road ordinance and designating a certain road as a scenic road, a municipality may regulate improvements or changes to the roadway which would alter its character. Such alterations include widening, paving, straightening, changes in grade, and removal of mature trees or stone walls, whether proposed by municipal departments, utilities or abutting property owners.

A scenic road ordinance does not interfere with normal maintenance activities, nor prevent essential safety improvements or the construction of new roads or private driveways which intersect with the designated scenic road.

As reflected in the State enabling act and seven scenic road ordinances which have been adopted in the Housatonic Valley Region, the clear intent of this regulatory process is to protect and preserve those areas of exceptional scenic beauty which occur along the more rural roads of the Region.

Scenic road designations protect an irreplaceable part of community heritage and visual character, and thereby contribute significantly to the quality of life in each section of the Region in which they lie.

As noted in the Preamble to Newtown’s Scenic Road Ordinance: "The natural landscape and visual quality of a community provide it with a sense of pride and individuality, setting it apart from other places. The protection and preservation of these resources is of immeasurable benefit to the people ...."

Seven of the ten municipalities in the Region have, to date, adopted scenic road ordinances. In order of adoption these towns are Redding (1986), New Milford (1987), Brookfield (1989), Bridgewater (1991), Ridgefield (1994), and Newtown (1997) and Danbury (date unknown). An unsuccessful effort for adoption was made in New Fairfield (1995) and there is evidence of support in other towns.

Nearly half of the Region’s 45 locally-designated scenic roads are in rural areas of New Milford, where 22 have been officially designated so far and four more are currently in the planning or review stage.

Redding has the next largest number, with 14 roads so designated and a number of others recommended for designation on its 1998 Town Plan. In its six years of ordinance history, Ridgefield has designated 6 scenic roads.

Two scenic roads have been designated in Newtown, one in Bridgewater, one in Danbury, and despite the adoption of an ordinance, none are yet designated in Brookfield, although the plan of development update is to make recommendation in that regard. Most of the towns with ordinances also have files which show a number of unsuccessful efforts by local residents to achieve scenic road designation which failed to achieve majority frontage endorsement.

The growing number of scenic road designations, inventoried in the next section, is evidence of citizen concern for conservation of the many scenic qualities of the Region.

Summarized in this section, by municipality, are the locations and general characteristics of each of the Region’s 47 locally-designated Scenic Roads and its one State-designated Scenic Road, as of June 2000. (The inventory below and text above were prepared by John Hayes, Planning Consultant, Redding, CT). Significant features of terrain or character which contribute to a road’s scenic quality are noted in parenthesis.

BETHEL, CT SCENIC ROADS
A scenic road ordinance does not yet exist in Bethel (Source: conversation with Planning and Zoning Official and other Town officials). The 2007 Town Plan update recommended that a scenic road ordinance be enacted.

BRIDGEWATER, CT SCENIC ROADS
Bridgewater’s Scenic Road Ordinance, adopted at a special Town meeting October 22, 1991, particularly references just one road, the Town’s only designated scenic road: Second Hill Road, from Route 67 north to New Milford Town Line (upland area with distant views, stone walls, mature trees).

Second Hill Road in Bridgewater, CT

BROOKFIELD, CT SCENIC ROADS
Brookfield’s Scenic Road Ordinance became effective November 9, 1989. At least three roads have been proposed for designation in the intervening years (Longmeadow Hill, Obtuse South, Dingle Brook), but none have been adopted according to Town officials. Consequently Brookfield does not yet have any designated scenic roads.

DANBURY, CT SCENIC ROADS
The City of Danbury has adopted a scenic road ordinance with one road designated thus far. Section 17-110 through 17-116 of the City code became effective August 1992. Long Ridge Road, from Church Road northerly approximately 5,800 feet to a point approximately 1,300 feet south of the intersection with Brushy Hill Road. (upland valleys and ridge, nature trees, stone walls, sharp curves, narrow road).

NEW FAIRFIELD, CT SCENIC ROADS
An unsuccessful effort was made in 1995 to secure adoption of a scenic road ordinance (proposed for Pine Hill Road, according to town officials). Consequently New Fairfield does not yet have a scenic road ordinance or designated scenic road.

NEW MILFORD, CT SCENIC ROADS
Since adoption of New Milford’s Scenic Road Ordinance in September 1987, 22 roads and sections of roads have been officially designated scenic roads: Barker Road, from West Meetinghouse Road to Squires Hill Road (hilly terrain, woodland and meadow views, stone walls). Buck’s Hill Road, from paved portion to Merryall Road (wooded upland area along shoulder of stream valley, dirt road). Burnett Road, from Cherniske Road to Kent Town Line (upland valley, pastoral and mountain views).

Also, Cherniske Road, from Squires Hill Road to Sawyer Hill Road (hilly upland terrain, distant views). Crossman Road, from Buckingham Road to Upland Road (valley to hillside, forest and meadow, dirt road). Front of the Mountain Road, from Brown’s Forge Road to Long Mountain Road (steep hillside, woodland, distant views, narrow dirt road).

Also in New Milford Hine Road, from West Meetinghouse Road to Long Mountain Road (high ridgeland on Long Mountain, woodland, meadow, distant views, dirt road). Indian Trail Road, from West Meetinghouse Road westerly approximately 4,400 feet (valley and hillside, woodland, meandering dirt road). Judd’s Bridge Road, from Mine Hill Road easterly approximately 3,700 feet (varied terrain, woodland, dirt road). Legion Road, from Lillis Road southerly approximately 3,115 feet (ridgetop meadowland dirt road). Lillis Road, from Second Hill Rd. (loop, entire length) (gentle upland terrain meadowland, dirt road).

Judd's Bridge Road in New Milford, CT

Continuing, there is Long Mountain Road, from the CL&P powerline easement (between North Valley Road and Noble Lane) to South Kent Road; designated separately in two sections which are now contiguous (high ridgeland, woods and meadows, distant views). Mud Pond Road, from Long Mountain Road to Kent Town Line (valley between mountain ridges, woodland, dirt road). North Road, from Barker Road to Chapel Hill - Tamarack Hill Road Intersection (upland valley, meadowland views, meandering dirt road). Old Mill Road, from Upland Road to Wheaton Road (wooded glen along rushing stream, historic buildings, winding dirt road).

Continuing with New Milford, Old Mine Road, from Barker Road to North Road (upland valley, meadow and woodland, dirt road). Old Stilson Hill Road, from Sherman Road (Rt. 37) to Stilson Hill Road (steep hillside, distant views, mature trees, winding dirt road). Old Stone Road, from South Kent Road northerly 0.75 mile (upland valley, woodland, dirt road). Rooster Tail Hollow Road, from River Road to Long Mountain Road (small hillside glen, meadows, forested slopes, winding dirt road).

Also, Sand Pit Road, from Litchfield Road (Rt. 202) to Upland Road (lowland valley, stream and meadow views, winding dirt road). Stilson Hill Road, from Sherman Road (Rt. 37) to Gaylord Road (upland ridge, open meadows, mature trees, distant views, dirt road). West Meetinghouse Road, from Barker Road to Kent Town Line (lowland valley, wetlands, densely forested, road at base of hillside).

At the 6/2000 report time Newton Road from Gaylord Road to Webatuck Road had qualified for designation and three others (Old Northville Road, Tamarack Road, and Hartwell Road) were in the process of application for designation.

NEWTOWN, CT SCENIC ROADS
Newtown’s Scenic Road Ordinance became effective in July 1997. A planning study for the Town had previously identified a number of scenic vistas, not specifically related to roads, which were recommended for protection. 

To date two roads have been accorded scenic designation: Sanford Road, from Tamarack Road to Echo Valley Road (small dell along stream, woodland, winding dirt road). Zoar Road, from Berkshire Road (Rt.34) to Bennetts Bridge Road (upland woods and meadows, mature trees, winding dirt road).

Added August 2002; a three quarter mile segment of Pond Brook Road.

REDDING, CT SCENIC ROADS
Redding’s Scenic Road Ordinance was adopted and became effective in January 1986, the first in the Region. Since that time fourteen local roads have received Scenic Road designation, listed below, and an additional sixteen are recommended for such designation in the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development adopted in 1999. The Region’s only State designated Scenic Road is also in Redding as noted below.

Cross Highway, from Hill Road (Rt. 107) to approximately 700 feet easterly of Newtown Turnpike (hills and valley, meadows, mature trees, historic buildings, distant views). John Read Road, from Lonetown Road (Rt. 107) to Black Rock Turnpike(Rt.58) (upland terrain, meadows, stone walls, woodland, dirt road). Lee Lane, from Redding Road (Rt. 107) to end (gentle terrain, mature trees, narrow winding road). Limekiln Road, from Redding Road (Rt. 53) to Lonetown Road (valley to rugged upland, woodland, distant views, winding road).

Also, Marchant Road, from Simpaug Turnpike to Umpawaug Road (gentle terrain, meadows, stone walls, mature trees). Mark Twain Lane, from Diamond Hill Road to end (upland slope, stone walls, meadows, mature trees narrow road). Old Hattertown Road, from Poverty Hollow Road to Newtown Town Line (broad valley, meadows, woods, winding dirt road). Pine Tree Road, from Black Rock Turnpike (Rt. 58) to Easton Town Line (narrow stream valley, rushing brook, wooded hillsides, narrow road).

Poverty Hollow Road in Redding, CT

Continuing with Redding, Poverty Hollow Road, from 500 feet south of Stepney Road intersection to Newtown Town Line (valley terrain, rushing stream, ponds, waterfalls, meadow forest). Sherman Turnpike, from Newtown Turnpike to Sanfordtown Road (valley to hilltop, steep hillsides, woodland, narrow partly-dirt road). Side Cut Road, from Simpaug Turnpike and Long Ridge Road to Redding Road (Rt. 53) (broad valley, mature trees, stream). Topstone Road, from Chestnut Woods Road to Umpawaug Road (rolling terrain, woodland, meadows, mature trees, dirt road).

Redding's inventory continues with Wayside Lane, from Redding Road (Rt. 107) to fork and thence on both branches to Umpawaug Road (ledgy terrain, woodland, stone walls, narrow winding roads). Whortleberry Road, from Gallows Hill Road to Limekiln Road (ledgy upland terrain, woodland, narrow winding partly-dirt road).

Redding works to maintain the attractive appearance of its state roadways.
Shown here is Route 53 northbound by the Saugatuck Reservoir,
the only state designated scenic roadway in the Region.

State-designated Scenic Road: Route 53 (Newtown Turnpike and Glen Road), from Weston Town Line to Route 107 (Redding Road) intersection (hills, gorge, lake, marsh and stream views, forest, winding road).

RIDGEFIELD, CT SCENIC ROADS
The Scenic Road Ordinance of Ridgefield became effective in April 1994, and was amended in 1996 and 1999. Six local roads have been designated Scenic Roads to date: Florida Road, from 600 feet north of Brook Lane to Florida Hill Road (narrow valley, ledgy terrain, woodland, stream, winding road). Lounsbury Road, from Ivy Hill Road to Cains Hill Road (upland terrain, mature trees, stone walls, distant views, winding road). Ned’s Mountain Road, from Ned’s Lane to Old Mill Road (rough terrain, woodland, narrow winding road).

Continuing, there is Old Branchville Road, from Branchville Road (Rt. 102) to same (loop) (hilltop to valley, rough terrain, woodland, partly winding road). Pelham Lane, along Wilton Town Line, from Nod Hill Road to Beechwood Lane (fronts on National Historic Park) (upland, gentle terrain, stone walls, historic site, narrow road). Silver Spring Road, from West Lane (Rt. 35) to St. John’s Road (gentle terrain, woodland and golf course, winding road).

SHERMAN, CT SCENIC ROADS
Sherman adopted a scenic road ordinance in July of 2005. As of late 2006 five scenic road designations have been made, summarized by Andrea O'Connor in this excerpt from a recent Town of Sherman newsletter:

"As Spring blossoms, consider taking a stroll along one of the Town’s recently designated scenic roads. While some would argue that all Sherman roads are scenic, residents along these designated roads have sought “scenic” status in an effort to ensure the preservation of their special characteristics. Working from the southern end of Town to its northern tip, here’s a scenic road itinerary that anyone can follow. So get our your walking shoes and ramble along Sherman’s scenic roads.

Leach Hollow Road, one of the oldest roads in Sherman, began as a winding wagon road that connected towns to the west with the Leach Hollow farm area, now beneath Candlewood Lake. Although the road is now paved, it wanders along the contours of the land with a number of sharp bends, just as it did when it began as a dirt track. The view across Lake Mauweehoo as one enters Leach Hollow Road at its juncture with Route 37 South, is beautiful at every season.

Around the first curve is Coburn Cemetery, with graves dating from the Revolution as well as a number from the Civil War. Bordering the road along the front of the cemetery is an antique stone wall which is probably as old as the graveyard itself.

Proceeding down the hill, one encounters a small stone bridge crossing Glen Brook, one of several such bridges in Sherman. The brook itself joins another stream to parallel the road before turning to empty into Squantz Pond.

Several of the old houses, dating from the early 1800s, still stand, including the large farmhouse overlooking Lake Mauweehoo at the corner of Route 37, the house at #50 fronted with sugar maples dating from the late 1800s, the house at #22, also sporting antique sugar maples, and the Leach house, near the corner of Route 39, with its front garden bounded by an old stone wall of extremely large stones, probably drawn there by ox sledges.

A stroll down the winding Leach Hollow Road as it passes antique features built by early residents as well as the woodlands, lake, and stream provided by nature provides pleasant respite.

Proceeding north on Route 37 toward the center of Town, Briggs Hill Road appears on the left. A hike to the top of the hill provides views which reach out as far as Massachusetts, with beautiful natural splendor. The mature trees of many scarce and rare species are something of a natural treasure, unusually to find in one area.

A beautiful trail maintained by Naromi Land Trust has its entrance on Briggs Hill. The natural stone walls, which date back to the 1600s when the land was cleared by the Briggs family, are still in existence. The road has several brooks and a beautiful vernal pool. Briggs Hill Road provides beauty and serenity to the stroller.

Turn left at the intersection of Routes 37 and 39 near the Sherman School, and proceed up Route 39 North to encounter Spring Lake Road on the left. Winding past lake, stream, and forest, Spring Lake Road exemplifies the beautiful Connecticut countryside. Towering maples, beech, and ash trees shade the old stone walls, and deer can be seen grazing in lush meadows. The many sources of water attract herons, ducks, and swans; a resident osprey watches for the flash of fish.

Naromiyocknowhusinkatankshunk Brook, locally known as Naromi, meanders about and around, allowing glimpses of waterfalls and rushing water. Walking along the curves in the road, the near hills and further mountains are visible, and the call of the coyote is often heard. This is a road where walking, biking, or pushing a baby stroller means chatting with neighbors, catching up on family news, and finding tranquil moments.

Continue up Route 39 North until the highway forks at Anderson Road. Entering Anderson Road, the visitor is plunged into the cool, soothing shade of a tall maple forest on the east side of the road. Along the west side is a stone wall built more than 200 years ago by Jedediah Graves, the pioneering settler who officially christened our town with name of his close friend, Roger Sherman.

After about 100 yards, the road opens out and drops steeply down into an agricultural vista, with an old silo and pumpkin field to the east and, on the other side of the road, an open slope of pasture and lush wetlands. This lower field leads to a hayfield that slopes up to a crest of old hardwoods, forming a dense natural ridgeline against the western sky.

Just before the intersection with Anderson Road Extension, the road passes over Wimisink Brook, which provides a haven for amphibians and other small wildlife, and encourages lush wildflowers on both sides of the road.

Take a right onto Anderson Road Extension, the fifth of the named scenic roads, just 500 feet in length and 14 feet in width. This early farm road is nestled between two large ridges running perpendicular to it at each end, both of which are free from development and in a natural state.

Anderson Road Extension is tree-lined and canopied by very mature soft- and hardwood trees for most of its length. A year-round running brook continues along the entire length of the road to its south. Two colonial-style homesteads—one of them among Sherman’s earliest farm homes—face the road along its northern border; both exemplify the simple, rural character of the area.

Returning to Anderson Road, the visitor begins a steep but leisurely rise, climbing nearly 100 feet over the next quarter-mile as it winds gently through alternating patches of forest and open space. Just past the junction with Wimisink Road, the visitor has a southeasterly view of the heavily forested ridgeline of the distant hills. The east side of the road is bordered with a stand of sizeable maples, elms, and cherry trees. The red barns, open fields, and mature trees offer welcome shade and a sense of serenity.

From here, Anderson Road flattens out and proceeds almost due north, past working farms where goats and horses graze immediately to the west of the road. Just past the junction with Smoke Ridge Road, Anderson is lined by a massive stone wall along the east side.

The road then begins to twist gently to the west, plunging again into forest shade. Just past #36, a large vernal pool, which often retains its moisture even into the late summer, lies just southwest of the road, at the foot of a steep drop from the roadside. Mature ash, cherry, and maple trees, many at least 50 feet high, line both sides of Anderson as it takes its sudden, winding dive into the deep woods.

The road drops into a quick corkscrew for about a third of a mile, turning a bit easterly and eventually looping back to the west past an undisturbed marshland habitat to the southwest. Passing a small manmade pond to the northeast, it ends in a stand of old maples and cedars at the “four corners” with Anderson Road East, Anderson Road West, and Hoyt Road."