Entrance to West Rock Nature Center
In 1946 Tony Cosenza was asked by the New Haven Board of Park Commissioners
to run Scout camping on the current Nature Center site. He accepts, but
asks that the land also be designated for a nature oriented sanctuary.
The Park Commission agrees, and The West Rock Nature Center is born.
The Center is believed to be the first urban nature center in the country.
From 1946 until his retirement in 1977, Tony Cosenza and his wife Virginia
worked tirelessly to marshal the resources of local teenagers, college
students and community lenders to energize The Center as a focus for
outdoor learning. Tony Cosenza passed away in July, 1998.
On June 4,
2003 the West Rock Nature Center was listed on the State Register of
Historic Places by The Connecticut Historical Commission.
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The Center consists of 43 acres of upland woods and fields at the northern
base of West Rock Ridge. The property contains in excess of 300 different
plant species, many of which can be observed along interpretive trails
that have been strategically located.
- Wintergreen Brook meanders along the property. The waterfall and
gorge are of particular interest. The stream and pooling areas assist
students
and their teachers involved with aquatic investigations.
- Enjoy the woodsy setting at The Centers picnic grove, which will
accommodate birthday parties and other special occasions for groups
of up to 25.
- There are ten acres of open fields adjacent to the more heavily wooded
portions of the land. This interfacing of trees, berry laden brushy
plants and open fields provide ideal habitat support for birding.
Picnic Grove and Huff Puff Hill
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| Park hours |
Sunrise to sunset |
| Parking |
There are ample free parking areas in the lower lot,
upper
lot open by appointment. |
| Telephone number |
203-946-6559 |
| Outdoor Adventure Coordinator |
Martin Torresquintero 203-946-6768 |
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- Follow Whalley Ave. to Fitch St. (Exxon gas station on right).
- Turn
right onto Fitch St. and follow to third stop light. (just under
Southern CT State University walkway).
- Turn left onto Wintergreen Ave. Follow
road to fork.
- Bear right at fork and proceed to stop sign.
- Turn left at sign, still
Wintergreen Ave., and follow up hill. Nature Center is on right
just before overpass.
- Drive up driveway and park in lot on the right.
- Get off New Haven exit 1 onto Frontage Rd. Follow to the end.
- Turn right at stop light onto Ella Grasso Boulevard.
- Follow to corner
of Boulevard and Whalley Ave. (Duncan Donuts on right).
- Turn left onto
Whalley Ave. and follow above directions.
- Take exit 59. Turn right off exit onto route 69. Follow to stop
light.
- Continue straight onto Amity Rd. Follow Amity Road for about 1.4
miles.
- Amity Rd. is now Whalley Ave. Stay on Whalley Ave. to fourth stop
light (Exxon Gas Station on left).
- Turn left at light onto Fitch St. and follow
above directions from New Haven.
- Get off Hamden exit 60. Turn right from ramp onto Dixwell Avenue.
- Follow Dixwell approx. 3 miles to Wooden Street (Hess Gas station
on right).
- Turn right onto Wooden St. Road partly splits, so stay to your right.
Follow Road to the end (stop sigh). Turn left onto Wintergreen Ave.
- Go
to Parkway overpass. Immediately after overpass, turn left onto
Nature Center parking or drive into driveway to upper lot.
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Visitor Center
Nature House
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Click on Map for Printable PDF version of map
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view PDF files you must have installed a free copy of Adobe
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