Hamden's 2023 Holiday Ornament Features Lake Wintergreen

Press release from Town of Hamden:

HAMDEN, CT — The Hamden Department of Recreation has selected Lake Wintergreen to be featured as its 2023 holiday ornament, the 31st in a series of annual ornaments featuring Hamden landmarks.

Lake Wintergreen is a 44-acre lake that is part of West Rock Ridge State Park. A nature trail surrounds the lake, with additional connecting trails. Between 1863 and 1978, Lake Wintergreen provided water for the City of New Haven. After they had used the water supply for 13 years, the Fair Haven Water Co. was bought out by the New Haven Water Company, which soon bought additional land in the watershed.

In 1978, the lake was taken out of the water supply system because strict new Federal standards would have required the construction of a filtration plant. This would have been too expensive for the relatively small size of this water source. In 1980, the spillway and the level of Lake Wintergreen were lowered ten feet at the request of the Corps of Engineers so that the dam could withstand the probable maximum flood, which occurs once in 10,000 years. Lake Wintergreen and its surrounding trails provide hiking, canoeing, and fishing opportunities for residents and nature lovers.

The pewter ornaments, printed on both sides, are $12 each, and come with a brief narrative about the business in a display case. Research material provided by the State of Connecticut and the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute.

Also available are ornaments from recent years for $10 each while supplies last. They include Church Street Elementary School (2022); Venice Bakery (2021); Johnson's Duckpin Lanes (2020); Freedom Park honoring POW & MIA (2016); Town Center Park/Rotary Pavilion (2015); and Hamden Police Department (2012).

Ornaments from earlier years are also available at a reduced rate of $5 each while supplies last. They include Hamden Middle School (2010); Whitneyville United Church of Christ (2008); Farmington Canal Greenway (2007); Hindinger Farm (2006); Keefe Community Center (2002); Grace and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (1999); Brooksvale Park (1998); and Thornton Wilder House (1997).

All ornaments are currently available for purchase and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. You may now purchase and pay for an ornament online by clicking here: https://hamden-recreation.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/36996

You may also purchase an ornament at Hamden’s Recreation Department, 2750 Dixwell Ave, during their regularly scheduled hours, and also at Hamden’s Silverbells Festival on Saturday, December 9th at Town Center Park.

For further information, please contact the Recreation Department at (203) 287-2579 or by email at recreation@hamden.com.

This press release was produced by Town of Hamden. The views expressed here are the author’s own.