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12/14/2016 07:30 AMMike Fletcher has been involved with the Peter’s Rock Association (PRA) since its inception in 2004. As someone who has always enjoyed hiking and the outdoors, when he heard about the formation of the group from former First Selectman Kevin Kopetz, he was eager to join.
“Kevin Kopetz wanted to do something with the open space and park land,” says Mike, who has served as the PRA’s treasurer for the past four years. “I thought it was a good idea to have a nice park with hiking trails.”
Peter’s Rock Park is the largest parcel of open space in North Haven with 220 acres. It now has nine trails that cover about six miles and range in difficulty. From the summit, which is 373 feet above sea level, visitors can see in every direction.
“You have a four-direction view from the summit,” says Mike. “We want people to come out and enjoy it—it’s a crown jewel. You could be away from the noise and traffic so it’s just you and your own thoughts.”
Peter’s Rock Park wasn’t always so accessible, though. Mike has not only seen the association grow to become a non-profit and develop a mission statement, but he has seen improvements at the park as well.
He recalls the association’s first project, which was the entranceway on Middletown Avenue behind the First Fuel gas station. When PRA was formed, the entrance was overgrown and not noticeable.
“It had never been developed and I was surprised that so many people don’t know that the park is there. Now it’s open and people know about it and use it quite often,” says Mike. “We cleared it, did some landscaping, put parking lots in, and put in a pavilion.”
When building the pavilion, PRA looked to the history of the park for inspiration. In the late 1800s, a hunting lodge was built at the peak by a group of New Haven businessmen and while it has since burned down, the pavilion was made to replicate the lodge.
“There’s a lot of history here and there are still some remnants of the building there,” says Mike. “Having a piece of property like this in this urban area is like an oasis for anyone who like the outdoors. It’s really developed quite handsomely.”
Once the main entranceway project was completed, PRA continued to make improvements with the help of local organizations like the Boy Scouts and school groups. Over the years, parking areas have been added, a shed was built for storage, and a community garden was added. A number of Eagle Scouts have completed projects at the park, including kiosks, bridges, and picnic tables.
“We have had a lot of community service projects with us,” says Mike. “The Eagle Scouts have had many projects and the kids from the high school have been very generous on cleanup days or volunteering on at our special events. We are always looking for anybody who needs community service or just enjoys helping out.”
The latest project the PRA took on was creating maps. The group worked with the South Central Region of Governments to create GPS trail maps that are now available online, at kiosks in the park, and at the library.
Now PRA is in the process of developing an easier trail to reach the summit as the current trail is on the steeper side. The group also works to continuously maintain the trails.
Mike, who worked at Pratt & Whitney for 27 years before retiring, also works with the PRA on the special events it hosts with its signature event being an annual Fall Festival. The group started the event as a way of thanking its members for their support and there is face painting, hot dogs, a pumpkin patch, a hike, and a story walk.
“It’s geared for younger children, but it gets people out in the park to do a little hiking and do a little reading,” says Mike, who is hoping to add another story walk this spring.
The story walk is planned in conjunction with the library and Mike is also chairman of the library board. There are other events throughout the year, too, including a Valentine’s Day hike, which will be on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, along with an Earth Day event in April, a bird hike in May, and Connecticut Trails Day in June.
PRA also is looking for members and has vacant board positions. PRA meets on the first Monday of every month except July at the North Haven Recreation Center and at the park during the summer months.
Mike and his wife Eileen have lived in North Haven since 1969, raising their three intown, creating many relationships over the years. They now have three grandchildren, as well. Mike has also met more people through his work with the library board and PRA.
“When you’re involved in a group like this, you find new people you could be friends with or people you’ve been involved with in things before,” says Mike, who is also chairman of the Board of Assessment Appeals. “We’ve gotten to know the town and like the town – that’s why we’re here. When things come up like Peter’s Rock, it’s just something you have to do.”
For information or to join the PRA, visit petersrockassociation.org.