The Sunset Ponds

Located off Cunningham Rd. in a large vale that encompasses wetlands and swamp, Sunset Ponds was acquired in 1991 as a gift from the New Milford Savings Bank. The reason for the gift may not have been altogether altruistic as it appears to have been part of a trade-off that allowed for the granting of sub-division approval on a parcel of adjoining property.

The 17.09 acre gift is significant for the totality of both aquatic and land species supported by the swampy pond and its adjoining forest land. The pond supports sunfish, brown trout, bass, turtles, crayfish, numerous frog species and snakes. The surrounding forest is home to white tailed deer, raccoon, fox, rabbits, shrews, voles, bats and the occasional bear.

The property in question was originally purchased from the New Milford Savings bank in 1989 by John and Elizabeth Carlson, who then proceeded to make application for a subdivision. The Bank appears to have retained certain rights because it was the bank that actually made the gift, which was signed off by Alfred and Kathi Brown who were purchasers of one of the plots. The entire process was negotiated by Dorothy Maier, then President of the Warren Land Trust with an assist by local lawyer David Miles, at that time, a Land Trust director.