Batz Property

Batz&*^% Crazy!
Batz Property, Ellington
April 2019

As you surely remember, I tried hiking the Batz Property previously – 20 minutes after I severely sprained my ankle while hiking the loop over at Swann Farm. It didn’t go so well and I had to turn around and go home for some icing and elevating. In the few weeks between visits, this place really greened up:

Yes, I know that’s “just how Spring works.” Jerk. The town of Ellington owns this parcel but doesn’t have too much to say about it. There is a community garden near the parking area, and it seems to be heavily used by residents.

Which is a bit weird since Ellington is basically one giant farm. Less used is the hiking trail. It’s another double loop – Ellington’s big on loop trails – which takes hikers up a hill, around some fields, through some woods, and back down the hill to another field.

I walked the property counterclockwise, which I’d suggest. If only because crossing the last field is easier when you know where you want to end up on the other side. Near the parking area, there are several trees with bat boxes attached. Normally this wouldn’t rate mention here, but the mere fact that we’re talking about the Batz Property makes it so much cooler.

There’s also a small pond with another little loop trail around it. Like I said, Ellington loves its loop trails. I went straight up the hill on the wide tote road before the trail veered right towards another field.

I believe the original trail here used to continue across the top of that field, but some enterprising scouts decided they wanted to take the trail into the woods. I’m sure that was a cool idea when they did it two years ago, but the upkeep and trail maintenance hasn’t been so great. At least it takes hikers away from the tick fields.

The trail here through the woods is a bit silly… especially since I could literally see the simpler path ten feet away in the field. My hypothesis as to why I was in the woods is merely that – an educated guess and nothing more.

After a bit, the trail veers sharply left to continue up the hill. It follows a stone wall for a bit and is a slightly better walk than it was along the field.

Veer left again down the tote road some more and then some meanderings off onto a smaller trail here and there. A bit bored, I bushwhacked to the top of the hill, hoping for a view. Don’t do this, as there is no view.

Back to the trail, down and around and through some wet areas and near a stream and there’s a weird little bridge, let’s go over there…

… don’t do this either. It just goes to someone’s house. Back across the weird bridge and before I knew it, I was at the top of the field near the loop split at the beginning. There’s an outhouse here and a large firepit.

I believe scouts use both, although camping up here would be pretty lame, due to the slope. Calvin was fascinated by both during my first visit, right before I went home to nurse my injury.

That’s right, I visited Ellington’s Batz Property twice. Not sure how many non-Ellingtonians can say that. It’s a pretty neat place and the trail is well-marked, even if it’s a bit poorly configured.

The property is named for Charles Batz, a WWI veteran and town official who lived across the street and farmed here his whole life. When he passed away in 1993, he willed his land to the town and made note that it was never to be developed. There’s a nice plaque to Mr. Batz here as well. Thumbs up to Mr. Batz and all who have preserved his legacy.

Ellington Town Trails maps
CTMQ’s Ellington Town Trails