We should enter in the lower left hand corner of the map and park in the second lot, towards the rear of the entrance area. However, look around as we will find the most appropriate spot based on the amount of people that are there.
More Location info: http://www.themdc.com/mdcrec.htm#ttmra
The entrance to the West Hartford Reservoir is located on the north side of Route 4 (Farmington Avenue) in West Hartford, Connecticut, approximately 1½ miles from West Hartford Center.
Not to be presumptive, but here are more precise directions......I'm open to someone verifying them, but I've tried to be as detailed as memory - and a local street map - will allow.
From the West (Waterbury): I-84 East to Exit 38 - Route 4 Farmington.
From the North/East (Hartford/MA): I-84 West to Exit 39 - Route 4 Farmington
From the South (New Haven/Fairfield County): Merritt/Wilbur Cross to Route 91 North to Route 9 North. Bear RIGHT at splits on 9 North for Route 372 - Kensington and to Route 72/I-84 West in New Britain - continue on Route 9 until the very end. You will see signs telling you to bear left for Route 4 at the end of Route 9. Exit LEFT at end to I-84 West - Waterbury. Stay to right and take first exit (39) - Route 4 Farmington. THIS IS THE PRETTIEST, MOST EFFICIENT ROUTE FROM THE SOUTH. I commuted to Stamford for 18 months but didn't find this until the end - it LOOKS longer on the map but isn't.
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After exiting off I-84 (regardless of direction), exit RIGHT off the connector at the first light. Turn RIGHT onto Route 4 off exit ramp. Go approx. 2.2 miles North on Route 4/Farmington Avenue and turn LEFT at light into the reservoir "complex." YOU CAN'T MISS IT. Road is tree lined and then all of a sudden opens up to a field/lake. You'll be turning LEFT as soon as the road opens up, before the lake. You will have gone through 5 or 6 lights (they seem to add one a week!) in the first mile but just stay on Route 4.
Once on the complex, keep heading straight back as far as you can go - about 1/2 mile. You will go across the red road (primary trail) on the map where the "A4 Meet" arrow points into a very large main parking area. I'd suggest heading to the right once you enter the parking lot - there is a rear parking area just off to the right that tends to be less crowded. We should have no trouble finding enough room for everyone to park together there.
I live 10 minutes from the reservoir and run there fairly often. It is a very popular recreation area. Runners, bladers, bikers, walkers....the nicer the weather, the more people will be there. Bring the dog if you want, (s)he'll meet lots of new friends, but bring a leash too - it's required. Local resataurant won't allow dogs though.
There's no reason to take Exit 41/42/43 into West Hartford Center as the MDC suggests unless you want to see West Hartford Center. If you do, find your way to Farmington Ave/Route 4 and head West/South for about 2 miles, and turn right at the light into the reservoir complex.
Directions from Resevoir to Brewery:
1.) Start out going
Northeast on FARMINGTON AVE towards BUENA VISTA RD by turning
left.
0.6 miles
2.) Turn SLIGHT RIGHT
onto BOULEVARD.
1.7 miles
3.) Turn RIGHT onto
TROUT BROOK DR.
0.2 miles
4.) Turn LEFT onto PARK
RD.
1.1 miles
5.) PARK RD becomes PARK
ST.
0.6 miles
6.) Turn RIGHT onto
BARTHOLOMEW AVE.
0.1 miles
Total
Distance: 4.3 miles
Total Estimated
Time: 10 minutes
Directions to the Brewery: (From their website - Important if you're not meeting us at the resevoir)
To Hartford: Get off I-84 at Sisson Ave., (east or west) and go to end of ramp. Take a left on Sisson and go to second light. (Park St.) Take left on Park. Go about 200 yd. As you go under a railroad bridge you will see our sign on right. Take right on Bartholomew Ave. and we are right up the street on the right!!