Parks near New Haven
Bassett Park - Larry's Playground
• Hamden, CT. This park is entirely fenced-in, and it also has a playground just for toddlers and a great sandbox. Directions: Go north on Whitney to Waite and turn right. Continue to the next light, which is Ridge, and turn left. Turn left into the parking lot.
East Rock Park
• The big cliff visible as you enter New Haven. Northwest corner of Orange and Cold Spring, New Haven, CT. Has a fun playground and lots of room to run around. There are BBQ grills and picnic tables. Drive or hike up to the summit for a great view.
East Shore
• East Haven, CT. This is one of the nicer parks in the area. It is wheelchair accessible, with a sand pit, swings, playground, and big open fields.
Edgerton Park
• 75 Cliff St., New Haven, CT 06511 - www.edgertonpark.org
• Has a cheery greenhouse (open through the winter). The plants are inexpensive to purchase. It also hosts Shakespeare in the Park during the summer.
Edgewood Park
• Edgewood Ave., New Haven, CT - http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/parks/parksinformation/edgewoodpark.asp
• Just off Ella T. Grasso Blvd., so it's not in the best neighborhood, but the park is gigantic and excellent.
Farmington Canal Trail
• New Haven and Hamden, CT. Part of a 60 mile trail that extends into Massachusetts, this seven mile wooded stretch of the trail is ideal for biking, jogging, and rollerblading. It starts near the Yale Health Center and goes to Cornwall St. in Cheshire, CT. The trail has a wide paved surface, mileage and kilometer markers, benches, solid wood bridges, and signs at road crossings indicating upcoming towns.
John P. Denicola Park (Treadwell Park)
• Hamden, CT. In a lovely Hamden neighborhood - gigantic pines surround the playground and its quarter-mile track, so it's perfect on sunny days. Lots of fun playground equipment - a twisty slide, regular swings, a tire swing and climbing stuff. Directions: Go north on Whitney to the light at Putnam and turn left. Turn right on Clifford and then take your next left on Treadwell. The park is on the left.
Lake Saltonstall Park
• Branford, CT. The Regional Water Authority owns tons of acres in Branford that they make available for recreational use. You have to pay for annual membership - but once you do, you virtually have a private park. In the winter they have the best cross-country skiing.
Lighthouse Point New Haven
• Located on a beautiful peninsula off Long Island Sound, this park offers great picnic areas, terrific public beaches, playground in the sand, an antique carousel and spectacular views. Parking is pricey in the peak season. Memberships are available if you return often that offset the parking fees.
Quinnipiac River Park
• This park is a long narrow strip of grass (with a walking path) that sits along the western bank of the Quinnipiac River. No playground equipment, but you can watch the water and the bridge and fishing boats. Directions: From the New Haven Green go east on Elm, which turns into Grand Ave. Once you cross State St., stay on Grand Ave. all the way through Fair Haven (probably two miles or so) and then turn right at the light on Front St. Park is on your left.
Sleeping Giant State Park
• 200 Mount Carmel Ave., Hamden, CT 06518 (off Whitney Ave.) - http://www.sgpa.org/
• A 1 ┬¢ mile scenic trail leads to the stone observation tower on the peak of Mt. Carmel which provides an excellent view of Long Island Sound and the New Haven area.
West Rock Park
• Blake St. and Springside Ave., New Haven, CT
• Beautiful landscape with hiking trails, a playground, and the Judges' Cave. The West Rock Nature Recreation Center on Wintergreen Ave. is a year-round center with native birds, reptiles, mammals, nature craft buildings, and trails. This is also the best place around to go mountain biking.
Wharton Brook State Park
• Wallingford, CT. Swimming, fishing, picnicking, and hiking trails.
________________________________________
Dog Parks
Hamden Dog Park at Basset Park
• Hamden, CT - http://www.hamdenrdog.org
• From Whitney Av, make a right on Waite St. You will see the park before you can enter the parking lot. It has a double gate and separate small dog area, and six foot fence. This three-acre park has trees with a path around the outside, picnic tables, water bowls, poop bags, and lots of dogs!
Yale Divinity School
• St. Ronan St., New Haven, CT
• Fenced-in, great quiet neighborhood, has poop bags and water bowl.
________________________________________
Amusement Parks
Coco Key Water Resort
• 3580 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06705 - (about a half an hour drive) - http://www.cocokeywaterbury.com
• Has a great indoor water park.
Lake Compounce Theme Park
• Bristol, CT - www.lakecompounce.com
• This park has 25 family rides and 11 "Kiddieland" rides. No food allowed.
Quassy Amusement Park
• Middlebury, CT - www.quassy.com
Six Flags New England
• Springfield, MA - www.sixflags.com/parks/newengland/index.asp