Public safety concerns close Glastonbury’s Cotton Hollow Preserve

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Public safety concerns have closed Cotton Hollow Preserve in Glastonbury until further notice.

A post on the town’s Facebook page announced that the Cotton Hollow Preserve will be closed as of July 16. The closure is due to public safety concerns after crowds gathered Sunday, illegally drinking, smoking marijuana and leaving trash, according to Glastonbury Town Councilmember John Cavanna.

“We’re talking about people just drinking flagrantly out of liquor bottles in plain view, smoking marijuana,” Cavanna said. “There are children that come here, and residents come down to enjoy this park. It’s something they don’t want children seeing.”

Alcohol and marijuana use is banned at the town-owed 80-acre preserve.

“There are a couple of broken bottles,” neighbor Naomi Gustafson said. “Sometimes there are cans on the ground. Sometimes, there are dirty tissues. It makes me feel pretty disappointed because it’s a really great nature trail, and it’s really close to my house.”

Town leaders said police will be present to prevent people from entering the preserve. Cavanna said ticketing those breaking the law could dissuade bad behavior, but he hopes to find long-term solutions.

Officials plan to reexamine the Cotton Hollow Preserve’s parking arrangements, signage, hours of operation and public safety considerations.

“It’s frustrating to see this little gem of Glastonbury, a place where the residents and the folks that live in town come to enjoy, now, here we are in the hottest weeks of the year, and they can’t enjoy it because of the malfeasance of a couple of folks who don’t want to act accordingly,” Cavanna said.

Town Manager Jonathan Luiz shared a message with residents and non-residents.

“The preserve is a beautiful place,” Luiz said. “Please do your part to keep it beautiful by not leaving any trash behind.”

A town council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23, where councilmembers will discuss possible solutions.

Town officials said they will remove trash and conduct site maintenance while the preserve is closed.

Grange Pool, which hosts swimming lessons, remains open. The Glastonbury community is urged to visit other parks and recreational sites .

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