Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve (also called Pierrepont State Park) is a state park located in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
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The 313-acre (127 ha) park has a variety of trails, including one going around the South end of Lake Naraneka (Pierrepont Lake). Hiking is easy around the lake, but moderate, with steep sections everywhere else. Boating is permitted in Lake Naraneka, though motor boats are not allowed. No campfires or camping are accepted in the park, but cooking in grills is permitted. Fishing is permitted according to regulations of the State of Connecticut Board of Fisheries and Game.
There are five different blazed trails. The white trail goes around Pierrepont Lake, ascends to the highest point in the park, and then descends to a minor entrance. It is the park's main trail, and has been recently moved to avoid going through a wetland. The blue trail starts at the white trail, and ascends to a pair of view points. It continues to ascend to end at the white trail near the summit. The yellow trail is a by-pass of the summit. The orange trail is a short spur off and white trail and leads to two residential areas. The red trail is a longer spur off the white trail that leads to the northeastern part of the park, and then loops around and follows an old woods trail to a minor entrance.
Leading up to October 2010, there had been complaints about the safety of a system of bridges and elevated walkways on the white trail crossing a wetland. In response to this, that section was removed, and the trail was realigned to go around the wetland. This caused the orange and blue trails to sometimes run concurrent with the white trail, and duel markings were added to the trees in these areas.
General Wooster led his troops down Old Barlow Mountain Road during the Revolutionary War. John Barlow's blacksmith shop was located here. An old foundation of the Scott House dating from the 1720s can be seen at the boat launch area. The stone walls and enclosures in the park were built by the Scott family when they farmed the land.[1] Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve was a gift to the Connecticut State Park and Forest Commission from Seth Low Pierrepont upon his death in 1956. Pierrepont was a millionaire and ex-diplomat who served as a United States official in Lisbon, Rome, Paris, and Santiago. He also worked as chief of the American Division of the State Department. Pierrepont purchased the estate from the Scott family in the early 1930s.[2]
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