About Hamden's Mount Carmel

On Sunday morning I looked out of a second story window at home and saw something sparkling in the distance, where Quinnipiac University is building the new 250 acre York Hill Campus in Hamden. The sparkles were coming from the new "windmills" which the university has erected to generate power for the campus. On Monday, I decided to check things out. A few months ago there was only one windmill, and now it looks like there are a dozen or more.

As you can see, there are no blades on these structures. They are verticle axis turbines, manufactured by Mariah Power. Not only do they have a distinctive look, their design allows them to run silently. There will eventually be 42 of these 40' turbines at the site, adding architectural interest to a garden below. It should be a fascinating gathering spot for students and visitors alike. And an example of what new energy can look and sound like. Eventually this campus will be one of the "greenest" in the United States.

We neighbors of Quinnipiac U. watch with fascination as the university continues to gobble up and develop large tracts of land. There are now three campuses - two in Hamden and one in North Haven. Quinnipiac University is known for its excellent health science majors. The school is well positioned to meet the growing demand for health professionals. Graduates with majors in physical therapy have their pick of jobs anywhere in the country.

Hamden enjoys many benefits being a college town. Quinnipiac U. is the largest employer in town. The school hosts cultural events open to the public, and thousands of students bring life to the many small business in town that cater to their needs.

It is worth a trip to see the York Hill campus, which currently boasts two stadiums, dormatories and a parking garage. The views of the surrounding countryside and New Haven harbor are magical. It will be fascinating to see this campus develop over the years.

There is a spot on New Road that has been a favorite with locals for centuries. It's Clark's Pond, a calm oasis in a busy part of town. Today the Pond is bordered by Quinnipiac University. Its beauty offers students and town folk alike a respite from the quick pace of life. As you can see, the surrounding foliage is putting on its show for Fall. The colors should be at peak in about one week.

Visitors to our area of often struck by the variety of landscapes in town. The northern part of Hamden is rural and rugged. There are horse farms and large estates for those favoring privacy. Most of the town, however, is made up of neighborhoods which reflect the era in which they were constructed. We have neighborhoods built at the turn of the last century, which feature multi-family homes and houses with rich woodwork trim. There are the mid-century suburban prototype neighborhoods such as Spring Glen, with its three bedroom, one and one half bath colonials which were so innovative in their day. As the town has grown, subdivisions have come in, with each featuring larger and larger homes, peaking with the mini mansions of the last decade. There is something here for everyone, and a pleasant lifestyle to go along with it.

If you know someone transferring to the area to work at one of the universities or in the growing health care industry here, please let me know. I would be happy to help them relocate to our town.