Conservation Commission

Shelton, Connecticut

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Shelton Land Trust

The Shelton Land Conservation Trust is a private organization often confused with the Conservation Commission.  The Land Trust owns 364 acres of private open space that is open to the public, including several trails and a youth camp.

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Gardens and Farms

The City of Shelton runs two community gardens where residents can lease plots for growing vegetables, a public wildflower botanical garden, and flower gardens at the Dog Park. Details are below.

Shelton's working farms are concentrated in the White Hills section of Shelton and feature "pick your own" berries, pumpkins, apples, and Christmas trees. There are also opportunities to purchase CSA shares of a farm's produce: For a seaonal fee, you receive a share of the farm's crop each week. Other farm products in Shelton include wine, cider, soaps, honey, wool, and cooking classes. Many of these products can be purchased at the Shelton Farmers Market.  To learn more about Shelton's working farms, click HERE.

Community Gardens

Residents may lease a garden plot from the City of Shelton for an annual fee of $20 for a full plot (20'x20') or $10 for a half plot. There is a waiting list for both garden sites. Existing gardeners register first, and most do reregister, so there is limited availability.

Locations: The Shelton Lakes Garden is located near the High School, while the Long Hill Garden is near Long Hill School (exact garden locations are not advertised in order to reduce theft of produce). Each location has 30 plots as of 2017, but there are plans to expland both gardens.

Amenities: Both gardens are fully fenced and protected from deer, rabbit, and woodchucks.  The gardens have city water (water installation at Shelton Lakes in 2017), basic tools, and woodchips.

Plot Holder Requirements:  Plot holders are expected to maintain both their plots and the abutting aisles throughout the year by keeping weeds in check, fully planting their plots, and harvesting as needed so produce does not go to waste. In addition, plot holders are required to contribute three hours each year towards maintenance of the garden perimeter or other tasks that may be needed.  Finally, gardeners must follow a list of rules that include delayed planting for certain vegetable and prohibit synthetic pesticides. See the 2017 rules.

Community Gardening: Gardening in a community plot can be both more rewarding and more challenging than gardening in the backyard. Members do become friends, help each other out, and learn from each other. We have had harvest celebrations where members prepare a dish with a vegetable from their garden. Challenges include more insect pests than backyard gardens. To address this problem, squash, beans and cucumbers cannot be planted prior to a designated date (in 2017, this was June 17).   Rodents and crows can be a problem for some. Finally, we always run the risk of having produce stolen.

Waiting Lists: To add your name to the waiting list(s), click the appropriate link below. Each garden site has its own waiting list. If either garden will be acceptable, enter your name on the list for each site. Note that turnover is much lower, and the waiting list is longer, at the Long Hill site because this was the first garden site and it is rare for an existing gardener to leave.

Shelton Lakes Waiting List (neary the High School)
Long Hill Waiting List (near Long Hill School)

Public Gardens

Eklund Garden is a rustic native wildflower garden located along the hiking trails at 10 Oak Valley Road near Hope Lake.  This is a botanical garden set amongst the stone ruins of an old cabin.

Species at the garden are native to the greater Northeast and are protected with deer fencing. For more information, visit the Eklund Garden website.  Volunteers are needed. Contact Teresa Gallagher at conservation@cityofshelton.org.

The Gardens at the Dog Park are maintained primarily by volunteers. Contact Allison Menendez at akmenendez@snet.net.


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