great parks & public spaces
New Haven is home to breathtaking vistas, historic landmarks, and exciting recreational activities in our beautiful public parks. Whether your nature calls you to take in some fresh air while you hike, bike, or canoe alongside the vibrant local flora and fauna; Long Island Sound from the summits of East and West Rock Parks or hit the ramps with your skateboard - New Haven has it.
New Haven Green - Named a National Historic Landmark, the 350-year old Green is home to three architecturally significant churches erected in the early 1800s. It is also the center of the commercial, social, and political life of New Haven. Adjacent to the 16-acre public space are the New Haven U.S. Courthouse, City Hall, New Haven Library, Yale College's Old Campus, and the bustling Chapel Street district. Enjoy a picnic, a leisurely walk, or a game of ultimate frisbee on the Green, but be sure not to miss the Amistad Memorial located on Church Street. During warmer months, the Green is host to many outdoor festivals and musical performances.
Bounded by Chapel, College, Elm, and Church Streets (Map)
(203) 946-8027
East Rock Park - This geological gem boasts a beautiful 380-foot high summit that 
offers stunning views of the city of New Haven, Yale University, Long Island Sound, and New Haven Harbor. Its 425-acre site located alongside Mill River is home to the 112-foot tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument that stands in memorial to New Haven's heroes from America's early wars. East Rock Park offers recreational facilities such as baseball fields, basketball courts, bicycle, hiking and cross-country skiing trails, canoe launches, picnic pavillions, children's playgrounds, nature trails, sledding hills, and rose garden.
Open sunrise to sunset
Cold Spring and Orange Streets (Map)
(203) 946-6086
Edgerton Park Conservatory - Those with a green thumb or taste for history will enjoy this beautiful botanical haven. First a mulberry orchard, the site later became home to inventor Eli Whitney and is now maintained by a devoted group of local volunteers. You might feel out of place and time while at the conservatory- that's because it was designed in the style of an old English estate and garden. Edgerton Park sponsors events such as Shakespeare in the Park in August, and the Eli Whitney Folk Festival and Sunday in the Park in September.
Open 10 AM to 5 PM
75 Cliff St (Map )
(203) 946-8009
Edgewood Park - One of New Haven's most beautiful and popular public spaces, Edgewood Park has the natural splendor and man-made amenities to please just about everyone. You can drop your child off at the public skate park near Coogan Pavillion while you let your pets mingle with their neighborhood pals in the dog run, or enjoy the walking trails that sprawl alongside West River and the Six Ponds. If your ideal day in the park is more active, you will surely take advantage of the tennis and basketball courts, ball fields (soccer, baseball, and softball), and paved biking roads. Be sure to stop at the Ranger Station for guided outdoor activities and to see the Holocaust Memorial Monument and Spanish-American War Veterans Memorial during your visit.
Open sunrise to sunset
Edgewood Ave (Map )
(203) 946-6086
Fort Nathan Hale - Dating back to the Revolutionary War in 1776, Black Rock Fort protected New Haven Harbor until British forces captured the stronghold in the summer of 1779. The fort was rebuilt soon afterward and named for Connecticut's heroic patriot- Nathan Hale. Today you can tour the site of this National Historic Place and see where Colonial and Union soldiers defended the nation in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Check the website for upcoming events such as tours of the complex and civil war reenactments.
Visitor Center is open 10 AM to 4 PM
Memorial Weekend to Labor Day
Woodward Ave and Fort Hale Park Rd (Map )
info@fort-nathan-hale.org
Lighthouse Point Park 
- This whitewashed 70-foot high tower overlooking New Haven Harbor once greeted seafarers from all over the world. Now it serves only as a beacon of New Haven's rich historic past. The lighthouse sits atop a Revolutionary War Battlefield at which American forces skirted a British attempt to invade New Haven. The park is also home to a functional restored antique carousel from the 1920s. Enjoy the public beach, playing fields, and natural beauty.
Open sunrise to sunset
Lighthouse Rd and Cora St (Map )
(203) 946-8790
West Rock Ridge State Park - One of the great natural beauties of Connecticut, West Rock Ridge rises 627 feet above sea level, offering spectacular views of East Rock, southern Connecticut, and Long Island Sound. The park has a nature center that offers a reptile exhibit and injured animal rehabilitation center, as well as ranger talks and a visitor center. The park has both rugged and tame trails for hiking, mountain-biking, sledding, and horse-back riding. Lake Wintergreen and the West River also provide opportunities for fishing and canoeing.
Open 8 AM to sunset
Wintergreen Ave (Map )
(203) 789-7498 - Park
(203) 946-8012 - Nature Center
Public Spaces
Alling Memorial Golf Course
35 Eastern St
(203) 946-8014
Beaver Pond Park and Bowen Field
Sherman Pkwy and Goffe St
Amenities: Football field, running track, baseball field, stadium, ponds, trails
Clinton Park
Clinton Ave and Bailey St
Amenities: Little League fields, Sunday cricket, playground
Criscuolo Park
James St and Chapel St
Amenities: Baseball field, playground, Mill River
East Shore Park
Woodward Ave
Amenities: Paved trails; softball, baseball and soccer fields; tennis and basketball courts; New Haven Harbor
Fairmont Park
Summit St and Clifton St
Amenities: Baseball fields, basketball court, wooded hillside trails
Kimberly Field
Ella T. Grasso Blvd and Kimberly Ave
Amenities: playground, basketball court, baseball and softball fields
Long Wharf Nature Preserve
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park
Long Wharf Drive
Amenities: Walking trail, Long Island Sound, New Haven Harbor
McClain Park
Ella T. Grasso Blvd and Washington Ave
Amenities: Picnic tables, playground, children's water sprinkler, basketball and tennis courts
Pardee Rose Garden (seasonal)
180 Park Road, near East Rock Park
(203) 946-8142
Quinnipiac River Park
Front St, between Grand Ave and Chapel
Vision Legacy Trail
Runs from New Haven Harbor at Canal Dock Road to the New Haven Green
(203) 782-4310 for information
West River Park
Ella T. Grasso Blvd, between Columbus Ave and Route 34
Amenities: Soccer and softball fields, West River
Wooster Square Green
Chapel St between Academy St and Wooster Pl
Amenities: Cherry trees, Christopher Columbus monument, historic architecture
