Bethany Field, later known as Bethany Airport, was opened in 1923. It was one of the first airports in New England but closed in 1965. A large, airmail arrow once used to provide visual guidance for pilots before the era of radar is located on the ground just north of the restored hangar.
The original 112-acre property was intended to become an industrial park when purchased by the Town of Bethany in 1967 but instead has become a multipurpose property. In addition to hiking trails, it has a recycling center, two equestrian rings, announcer’s stand and a soccer field. It was expanded to include the town’s main fire station.
For more information: https://bethany-ct.com/maps/parks
Trails:
Trails are in the wooded, western area of Bethany Airport property and are generally level, with some seasonal wet areas. In 2005, as his Eagle Scout Leadership Project for Bethany Boy Scout Troop 59, Ben Francois mapped and blazed the airport trails with a team of helpers, creating a system of three main trails designated with rectangular blazes. Alternative loop and connecting trails use a triangular blaze.
- The Yellow Trail (easy to moderate; 0.28 miles) begins at the northernmost equestrian riding ring to Fairwood Road to the White Trail (with an alternate Yellow Triangle Trail).
- The White Trail (easy to moderate; 0.47 miles) runs from the rear of the riding ring announcer’s stand to Old Fairwood Road Extension (approx. 0.47 mi) (with two alternate White Triangle Trails).
- The Red Trail (easy to moderate; 0.9 miles) runs from the White Trail to the soccer field with an alternate Red Triangle Trail (approx. 0.24 miles).
In addition to the entrances from the parking area, entrances with limited street parking are located along Fairwood Road and at the end of Old Fairwood Road.
Area: 112 acres in Bethany, CT
Address: 775 Amity Road, Bethany, CT
Parking: Parking is ample on the Airport property along the main drives through the open area. Access is from two main entrances on Amity Road.
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