The town's Conservation Commission unveiled a sign this month at the trail head of the Billings Lake trail, a beautiful trail I've used a few times myself.

With the mild weather, take some time this holiday season to check it out yourself. Who knows, we could get some snow which would make the trail a perfect place for a cross-country ski or snowshoe outing.

Here's a message from the commission about the sign:

“The North Stonington Conservation Commission has completed a lengthy process of monitoring all the private Conservation Easements and town owned Open Space parcels. Nita Kincaid and two members of the Commission, Bob Fleury and Bill Ricker, have worked for 4 years developing materials which will allow monitors walking the properties yearly assuring owner compliance with the deeds to the properties.

"Signs at the trail head of all our Open Space properties will identify for the public where the trails are located, the terrain, and basic good stewardship rules for their use. The Billings Lake property is located at the boat ramp parking lot. This is a gorgeous mile long trail originating on town owned property and paralleling our property north on Connecticut State land into Griswold. Extensive mountain laurel, oak and black birch trees abound, with an outlet stream from Billings Lake traversing the center. Bring a picnic to eat on the rocky peninsula at the lake and be sure to 'carry out what you carry in.'"