Batterson Park is best experienced from the water (Boating). The "park" portion was closed by the city of Harford years ago. The City of Hartford owns the resevoir . It was established once as water supply resevoir but it was never used (Nepug was built for that). The State of CT owns the boat lauch area. There is no public access except for the boat ramp. . There is no swimming anywhere. It is a fine place to canoe and kayak as motorized boats are limied to use small electric trolling motors. Even if you encouter a large bass boat it will be moving on its trolling motor. I have caught LMB,, Sunfish and Yellow Perch. The pond also has Carp, Channel Cat's, Crappie and Walleye (I have however not personally encountered one.) Just make sure you clean your boat when leaving the water. There are lot invasive weeds in here. Litter is a problem. The parking lot seems to attract a lot of bud light and heniken cans and nips. Some fisherman are the messiest groups I encounter. I have picked up more chicken liver (must be catfish then) , worm containers, fishing line, cigaretter boxes and cigar wrappers than I should enccounter.