Brookfield, located in northern Fairfield County, is home to more than 15,500 people and is full of rich charm and history. Located only an hour away from New York City, residents of Brookfield have many options in their day to day life, from enjoying the quiet, relaxing outdoors to adventuring into the city. Located here are many churches of all denominations, four public schools, one private school, and many nursery schools. Education in Brookfield is very important and plays a key role in the community.

Brookfield is separated into five sections, and each has its own character. The eastern area of town borders along Lake Lillinonah is known as the historic district and features colonial architecture and large land lots. The western side of town is by Candlewood Lake, and is a peaceful community made up of renovated and remodeled cottages. The center of town is the central business district and is divided by the Still River Valley. Many national franchises are located in the southern area of Brookfield. Lastly, the northern portion of Brookfield is home to professional offices, restaurants, and retailers.

Brookfield History

In the 1700s, the community that was settled in the Brookfield area was known as Newbury. In the winter, traveling to surrounding churches was difficult and the General Assembly gave the people the right to worship in their homes. In 1754, the General Assembly gave them permission to build their own meeting house and to have their own minister. Reverend Thomas Brooks was ordained as the as the first settled minister and the town’s name was then changed to Brookfield, in his honor, in 1778.

As early as 1732, the Still River Mills were in operation in an area that became known as the Iron Works District. Brookfield thrived off of iron furnaces, sawmills, a paper mill, a knife factory, and more. Still standing today is the grist mill, now known as the Brookfield Craft Center, and the Iron Works Aqueduct Company.

Brookfield Parks & Recreation

Residents of Brookfield have access to many outdoor recreational activities. Whether it is with a quiet visit to Squantz Pond State Park or with a visit to nearby New York City, there is guaranteed to be something that will strike your interest.

The Brookfield Parks & Recreation Department is composed of two different components of Leisure Services; Recreational Programming and the Parks/School Grounds Department. The Recreation Departments are responsible for creating and offering a wide variety of educational and cultural events to the public.

There are many parks in Brookfield that are a must-see. Whalen Pond is situated on 2.9 acres, and is the perfect place to go ice skating during the winter. Williams Park covers 20 acres of land and offers fishing, hiking trails, volleyball courts, and picnic tables. Here you will also find two Har-Tru clay tennis courts that are accessible to Brookfield residents. The Brookfield Bandstand is home to the annual “Concerts in the Park” series that takes place on Friday evenings throughout the summer. Lastly, the Brookfield Municipal Center covers 4.5 acres and offers bocce, a fitness trail, hiking trails, a little league field, picnic tables, a playground, and soccer and softball fields.

Brookfield Activities

Brookfield Craft Center
The Brookfield Craft Center is a non-profit school and gallery for fine craftsmanship. This school for adults offers day, evening, and weekend workshops with visiting artists on more than 300 topics. There are many workshops offered including ceramics, photography, jewelry making, home restoration, and blacksmithing.

DiGrazia Vineyards
Winemaker Paul V. DiGrazia’s winery in Brookfield features a variety beyond the typical red and white wine, including specialty and dessert wines made from pears, blueberries, and sugar pummpkins. This 48-acre vineyard was planted in 1978 and was founded in 1984. DiGrazia now features 15 different wines produced from nine varieties of hybrid and American grapes. Visitors are welcome at the winery daily for tastings through December.

Mother Earth Gallery
At Mother Earth Gallery, children and adults can enjoy a day of guaranteed gemstone digging. With a miner’s hat, lamp, and bucket, miners are let loose into the recreated mine, where you can find amethyst, quartz, fossil shark teeth, arrowheads, and more. You can keep everything you find, including your bucket! Mother Earth Gallery is perfect for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, and camps.