October Open Trails + Music at I-Park

I‑Park invites visitors of all ages to reconnect with nature and explore its expansive grounds at our first autumn Open Trails Day event of the season. Taking place on October 10 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, the event will feature a range of activities including live music, crafting and a special visit from our friends at the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Watershed.

Wander at your own pace through over 40 environmental artworks nestled in I-Park’s meadows, woodlands, and waterways. Most trails are gentle and well‑marked, offering an easygoing experience for both casual walkers and day‑long explorers. Explore at your will, or participate in a variety of planned activities.

• From 9:30am-12:30pm: The Eightmile River Watershed is a federally designated Partnership Wild & Scenic River within the towns of East Haddam, Salem, Lyme and small sections of East Lyme and Colchester. Join them at their table at I-Park Open Trails Day to learn about the work they do and to grab an Eightmile sticker. They will have a sample of aquatic macroinvertebrates (stream bugs!!) that they use to assess water quality available for you to sort and look at up close!

• From 10:00am-12:30pm: A guided hiking party will depart at 10am. This ~2 hour excursion will lead visitors to view artworks along some of I-Park’s lesser-ventured paths- a special opportunity to learn about the artists and their sculptures from a knowledgeable I-Park guide. Please register in advance for this activity.

• From 11:00am-2:30pm: Join in a crafting activity nestled in a shady grove of trees by the Outdoor Performance Area and an educational session in the pollinator garden. The craft is inspired by I‑Park Fellow Alice Momm’s project, The Flock. During the pandemic, Momm began collecting coffee cup sleeves – unable to use her own mug at her local café – and transformed the growing pile into a flock of whimsical birds. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own bird forms while reflecting on resourcefulness, beauty, and the natural world. A learning session in the pollinator garden, paired with a scavenger hunt for children, will add an engaging, educational layer to the day’s adventures.

• From 12:30pm-2:30pm: The landscape come alive with music as The Midnight Anthem fills the air with their signature mix of original songs and familiar favorites, all with a country twist. Settle in, unplug, pack a picnic and enjoy an afternoon performance in the heart of nature.

This is a free, family‑friendly event, open to all who wish to explore, create, and be inspired by the land. 

Open Trails + Music is being funded in part through grants from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation and Community Foundation of Middlesex County.