Barrett Park

Barrett Park is a 20-acre parcel of property owned by the town, located just north of Foster Pond on Bog Road. The park is named in honor of Kate Barrett, long time resident of Alexandria and co-founder of the Alexandria Conservation Commission.

The park is mainly wetland, consisting of a complex of various habitat types, from marsh to shrub swamps to open water. These various habitats provide for high biological diversity of plants and wildlife. The entrance, located on Bog road, is uniquely situated and provides a scenic view of the bog where one can observe mink, beaver, river otter, and a variety of waterfowl. The wetlands also provide habitat for many species of reptiles and amphibians, including wood turtles and northern leopard frogs. A variety of fish can be found in the pools and open waters visible from the park and can be accessed by kayak or canoe launched from the base of the steps leading the water’s edge. If you’re lucky, you might catch a turtle laying her eggs in the sandy area off to the right. The Alexandria Bog is one of the most significant wetlands in town, the best known, and by far the largest wetland in Alexandria. At approximately 319 acres, this large wetland is a complex of various habitat types. These various habitats not only have a high biological diversity of plants and wildlife but serve as wildlife corridors for many larger mammals that populate the area.

The park is mainly wetland, consisting of a complex of various habitat types, from marsh to shrub swamps to open water. These various habitats provide for high biological diversity of plants and wildlife. The entrance, located on Bog Road, is uniquely situated and provides a scenic view of the bog where one can observe mink, beaver, river otter, and a variety of waterfowl. The wetlands also provide habitat for many species of reptiles and amphibians, including wood turtles and northern leopard frogs. A variety of fish can be found in the pools and open waters visible from the park and can be accessed by kayak or canoe launched from the base of the steps leading to the water’s edge. Picnic facilities are available near the kiosk at the park entrance, which displays a brief history of the park area, seasonal pictures, and highlights points of interest. If you’re lucky, you might catch a turtle laying her eggs in the restricted sandy area off to the right.

The Alexandria Bog, technically a fen, is one of the most significant wetlands in town, the best known, and by far the largest wetland in Alexandria. The basic difference between a fen and a bog is that a fen gets some of its water from streams and groundwater and has a greater exchange of water making the water less acidic; whereas, a bog gets its water from underground springs and the exchange of water is much slower. At approximately 319 acres, this large wetland is a complex of various habitat types. These various habitats not only have a high biological diversity of plants and wildlife but serve as wildlife corridors for many larger mammals that populate the area. Alexandria Bog is among the highest ranked wetlands for ecological functions and values in the state. High functional values include its wildlife habitat, scenic quality, educational and recreational value, flood water storage capabilities, water quality maintenance (sediment and nutrient trapping), rare species, and an exemplary natural community. The Bog is situated above the town’s largest contiguous aquifer system that has the highest rated yield of water flow. The water in the aquifer is essential to provide clean, safe drinking water to Alexandria and the town of Bristol.

We invite all our residents and guests to visit Barrett Park and take advantage of all it offers. As with any public facility, we ask that visitors be respectful of the area and help us keep it in pristine condition by not littering the area and taking care to preserve the habitats that support the unique ecosystems that populate the area.