Why I Included CFPA in My Will – And Why You Might, Too
By a grateful hiker, parent, and lifelong Connecticut resident.
By Tom Tella
If Connecticut’s trails have ever given you a moment of peace, a sense of purpose, or a place to make memories with the people you love, then we share something meaningful. I’m writing to tell you why Connecticut Forest & Park Association has mattered so deeply in my life—and why I chose to include CFPA in my will, as a way to give back to the landscapes and community that have given me so much.
When my sons were young, we camped at a Boy Scout site near the Blue-Blazed Trails. One morning, over a campfire and coffee, I found myself wondering: who really maintains these trails? I had always assumed they were the state’s responsibility. But when I learned it was the Connecticut Forest & Park Association doing this work—through volunteers, not government agencies—I was both amazed and inspired.
That realization started a journey. I joined a trail work party on the Zoar Trail, eventually got involved with CFPA’s Trails Committee, and have been honored to serve on the Board. Over the years, the trails became more than paths through the woods—they became the backdrop of our family’s best memories and the foundation for deep friendships formed through shared values and outdoor service.
At this point in my life, I find myself asking: What have I done for my fellow man? What have I done for the earth? That reflection led me to include CFPA in my will.
For me, it’s simple. Connecticut is home. I’ve lived here my entire life. It’s not too rural, not too urban—just a beautifully forested state with room to breathe. I’ve hiked all 48 peaks in New Hampshire, spent summers above tree line—but there’s something incredibly grounding about the Blue-Blazed Trails right here in Connecticut. My boys grew up hiking the Lillinonah and Zoar Trails. I’ve found peace, challenge, and connection in these woods.
I would like to carry the torch passed down by those CFPA founders who came before me—people who protected and preserved these forests and trails long before we walked them.
I’m proud to play a part by managing a section of the Mattatuck Trail. Leaving a gift in my will is another way to ensure that these trails—and the forests that cradle them—remain intact and thriving for generations to come.
If you’re someone who has found joy, solitude, or camaraderie on a Blue-Blazed Trail… if you value Connecticut’s natural beauty and rural character… if you believe in preserving open spaces not just for us, but for those who will follow… then I invite you to consider leaving a gift to CFPA in your will, too.
It’s not just about the trails—it’s about what they represent: connection to the land, to each other, and to something enduring.
Tom Tell is a fellow hiker, Trail Manager, and CFPA Board Member