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Peterson Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 518 Google reviews · Running trail in Wolcott, Connecticut · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
35 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Peterson Memorial Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Paved35 miScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADATrailhead parking

Green space with playgrounds, a picnic grove, hiking trails, a skate park & sports courts.

What runners say about Peterson Memorial Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (518 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“It Has A Beautiful Little Hiking Trail I Always And Love Walking Down And Around And Taking Pictures.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“My Dog 🐕 Loves It As well.”

Gorgeous trails, waterfalls all along it. One of the most picturesque trails I've hiked. Numerous bridges that span running water, and a handful of places to sit and take it all in. One bridge in particular was built by a fellow nature enthusiast, whom I met during my last visit.

★★★★★ — Cammy , May 2020

Love the mini fall, which can be found once you follow the blue path marked by the trees.

★★★★★ — Linfire , Apr 2025

Something for everyone. Walking trail to the waterfalls, playscape for the kids. There are tennis and basketball courts. Skate park and a few pavilions to rest or host a party. Would be nice if they could incorporate some kind of water spout/fountain feature for the kids in town during the summer.

★★★★★ — Allana , Sep 2021

My Grandma donated the land for Peterson Park 60 years ago and I am extremely proud she did. It’s a GREAT and BEAUTIFUL park. I remember hiking there when I was young (early 1960’s) and I loved every minute of my many walks.

★★★★★ — Robert , Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 518 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 20 mentions

“Nice Park for hiking with the family and having a picnic kids love playing baseball there also bringing my dog to the dog park”

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🏞️ Scenic views 13 mentions

“It Has A Beautiful Little Hiking Trail I Always And Love Walking Down And Around And Taking Pictures.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 2 mentions

“There 35 miles of trails out there.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

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🛣️ Paved surface

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Plan your run at Peterson Memorial Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance35 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitewolcottct.org
  • Phone(203) 879-8100

Hours

Monday 7:15 AM–4:15 PM
Tuesday 7:15 AM–4:15 PM
Wednesday 7:15 AM–4:15 PM
Thursday 7:15 AM–4:15 PM
Friday 7:15 AM–4:15 PM
Saturday 7:15 AM–4:15 PM
Sunday 7:15 AM–4:15 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Peterson Memorial Park

123 Mad River Rd, Wolcott, CT 06716

Get directions

Running trails near Wolcott

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Bucks Hill Park

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Indian Rock Nature Preserve

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Tunxis trail head

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Finch Brook Preserve

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Whitestone Cliffs Trail

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Bobcat Trailhead/Tunxis Junction

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.