Welcome to Edgewood Park, one of the treasures of the City of New Haven.
The park offers countless ways to enjoy nature and the outdoors: from
walking, jogging, bird-watching or cross-country skiing to tennis, relaxing
by a pond or skateboarding at Coogan Pavilion, Edgewood has something
for every age group and lifestyle. Read on to learn more about what this
great park has to offer.
- Coogan Pavilion & Gazebo - These two locations are used primarily
for summer camp and Ranger programs.
- Dog Run - Fenced-in area for community dog-owners to let their animals
play off-leash.
- Playground - Includes ship-shaped playscape for tots and "big
kids" to play.
- Six Ponds and West River - Lower West River is available for canoeing
and fishing (license required). Fishing is also permitted in Duck Pond. Swimming Prohibited.
- Sensory Trail - Guided loop trail with text and drawings
on plaques in both northern and southern sections of park.
- Skate Park - Open for skateboarding and in-line skating. Helmets and safety
pads required. Skate at own risk.
- Water Element and Sundial Sprinkler - For use by young and old on hot summer days.
- Wetlands Viewing Platform - For nature and bird-watching.
Back to top
Click on map for printable PDF version of map
Back to top
- Tennis Courts - Seven hard-surfaced courts. Free and open to the public.
Illuminated seasonally at night. No reservations needed.
- Softball, Baseball and Soccer Fields - Parking available along Edgewood
Avenue & Chapel Street.
- Walking, jogging, bicycling and cross-country skiing - The park
roads, closed to automobiles, are excellent for all these activities.
In addition to the Sensory Trail, there are secondary trails to explore.
Bicycles permitted on paved roads only.
- Basketball Court - Illuminated seasonally
at night.
Back to top
The Ranger Station is home to many different
amphibians and reptiles. The Station also has informative charts, books,
and videos. Public bathrooms
are located on the outside of the building. The Station's hours vary
depending on Ranger availability.
Some of the programs Rangers lead include:
- Animal tracking/tree identification
- Fishing
- Introduction to reptiles and amphibians
- Nature walks
- Owl pellet workshop
- Pond-life exploration
- Senior nature programs
- Storytelling, arts & crafts
- Wildflower walks
Rangers are available for private education sessions
and birthday parties. Call 203.946.8028 for information.
Back to top
In addition to formal programs and events, many park users get together for trail walks and hikes as well as dog-walks
at the Dog Run. The park is also available for special holiday and theme events
throughout the year. Call 203.946.8028 for information.
Back to top
Restrooms are available at Coogan Pavilion
and at the Ranger Station and are open seasonally. A drinking
fountain is located at the playground.
Back to top
In case of fire, police, or medical emergencies, please
call 911 from the call box at
Coogan Pavilion.
Carry a mobile phone, and avoid walking or running alone in remote areas.
To report Park violations, please call the Ranger Station at 203.946.8028.
Back to top
The park is open, sunrise to sunset 365 days a year.
For details of upcoming events call 203.946.8028.
Back to top
- Park in designated lots only.
- The Sensory and Secondary Trails are for pedestrian use only. No mountain bikes or motorcycles are permitted on these trails.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times (unless in the fenced-in Dog Run).
Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.
- All paved park roads are closed to motor vehicle traffic.
- Fires are not permitted in the park.
- Do not harm or collect plants or animals.
- Weapons and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
- Please help to keep Edgewood Park clean. Put all trash in the provided bins.
Back to top
In 1889, the City of New Haven "adopted" sixty
acres of property which they turned over to the new Park
Commission for development. Nicholas
W. Hubinger, James Mason, and Donald Mitchell made additional donations
of land for the park. Mitchell, an author and agriculturist whose pen
name was "Ik Marvel" lived above Forest Road on his Farm, "Edgewood," the
namesake of the park.
In 1910, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. designed the layout
of the present park. It included an extensive rose garden,
a "grandmother's garden," a
lily pond, an archery field, groves and glens, trails, carriage drives
and a bridle path over three miles long. A spring of cold pure water
at the corner of Stanley Street and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard was used
by the local residents in the summertime; it was later made into a drinking
fountain. A century later, Edgewood Park's 120+ acres provide recreation
and tranquility to thousands every year.
Back to top
Holocaust Memorial Monument: Located at the corner of Whalley
and West Park Avenues. This site is used annually by
the Jewish community for
Holocaust memorial
Spanish American War Veterans Memorial: Just south of the Ranger
Station you can find this bronze statue of a soldier. The metal for
this tribute
to those who fought in this war was cast from the U.S.S. Maine, which
was sunk in Havana Harbor on February 15th, 1898.
Back to top
The Friends of Edgewood Park (FOEP)
is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to preserving
and enhancing Edgewood
Park and assisting
the Park Rangers with public programming and annual events. FOEP
has been
in existence for over 30 years. Its supporters include area residents
and businesses. For more information, please contact the Edgewood
Park Ranger Station at 203.946.8028.
This publication was made
possible by the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation
and Trees, the Friends of Edgewood Park,
and the
Yale School
of Management Student Consulting Outreach Program.
- Back to Top -
