Brooksvale Park is a nice for the beginner rider but its also the gateway into the Naugatuck State Forest, which has awesome single track, great climbs, and plenty of stuntry. The State Forest was recently logged and some of the trails are now more exposed to the precipitation and can get muddy at times but the variety of trails is awesome.
From Southern Hamden or New Haven:<br /><br />Brooksvale Park is located just off Whitney Avenue (Route 10) in northern Hamden near the Cheshire town line. Traveling north on Route 10 you will pass the Sleeping Giant Golf Course on your right and then a small strip mall will come up also on the right. You will see a sign for Contrassegno's Restaurant. Take a left here onto Brooksvale Avenue. Follow Brooksvale Avenue about a mile until you see signs for parking on the left.<br /><br />The 1st parking lot is the main event, softball field and activity parking area. The 2nd lot is smaller but is also the entrance to get to the roadway leading to the Veteran's Memorial Building as noted on the sign. This smaller lot fills up quickly. While driving in park borders, please proceed with caution as children, bikers, walkers and even geese may be crossing your path.<br />From Northern Hamden or Cheshire:<br /><br />Brooksvale Park is located just off Whitney Avenue (Route 10) in Hamden not too far past the Cheshire town line. Traveling south on Route 10 you will take a right onto Mr. Sanford Road. After crossing the Farmington Canal Greenway, make a left onto Brooksvale Avenue. Follow Brooksvale Avenue half a mile to the park entrance on the right.<br /><br />The 1st lot is a small one, but is the entrance to get to the roadway leading to the Veteran's Memorial Building as noted on the sign. The 2nd parking lot is the main event, softball field and activity parking area. This smaller lot fills up quickly. While driving in park borders, please proceed with caution as children, bikers, walkers and even geese may be crossing your path.
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