Public Swimming Schedules

John S. Martinez School - 100 James Street
Wednesday: 5pm-8pm
Saturdays: 10am-2pm
James Hillhouse High School - 480 Sherman Parkway
Thursday: 5pm-7pm and
Saturday: 10am-1pm

Click here to visit the Parks Sports and Recreation page for more information.

In this Issue:

• Sports and Recreation Programs
• Summer Camp Brochures
• Junior Ranger Program
• Outdoor Adventure Club
• Nature Notes: Peregrine Falcons
• Ranger Program Schedule
• Nature Pals - Spring
• Notice: Bridge Closing
• Spring Cleanup in the Parks
• Westville Village Artwalk
• Edgewood Farmers Market
• Monthly Photo Galleries

Flag Football

Swimming Lessons

Tuesdays and Thursdays Class Times
4:00 - 4:45pm 5:00 - 5:45pm 6:00 - 6:45pm 7:00 - 7:45pm
Session 4 - April 23rd - May 30th

Spring Tennis Lessons

• Pee Wee Tennis (Ages 5-7)
• Little Champs Tennis (Ages 8-10)
• Future Stars Tennis (Ages 11-12)
• Stars Tennis (Ages 13-14)
• Young Adult (Ages 15-18)
• Adult (18 & Over)

For more information: call New Haven Parks and Recreation at 203.946.8027
Download the registration form: Click here to download from the Parks website

Summer Camp Brochure

Activities, Schedule and Registration Forms
Brochure Contents: Registration Information Camp Information & Policies Cool Camps for Hot Summer Days City Camp Nature Pals Eco Adventure Camps Canoeing & Kayaking Camp Theatre Camp Music Camp Registration & Health Forms Summer Community Recreation Open Schools All-Star Sports Camps Basketball Track & Field Kids Tennis Clubs Public Swimming Pool Schedule Mobile Playground Bus Schedule

Click here to download the brochure from the Parks Website

Junior Ranger Program

Learn about the environment, help with park enhancement projects, and be outside!
Class size is limited and registration is Required

What: Junior Ranger Program
Who: Students ages 11 –14.
When: Wednesday’s May 1 & May 8
Time: 3:30 pm-4:30 pm
Where: Parks Administration Office. 720 Edgewood Ave
Cost: Free

For more information please contact:
Call 203-946-6559 or
Email jmilone@newhavenct.net
To Register: Call 203-946-8027

Outdoor Adventure Club

Friday Night Canoe Rentals
May 24, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: The Mill River
Ages: 5+. 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: $10 Per Boat for New Haven Residents/$20 for Non-Residents.$5 Individual Paddlers NH Res./ $10 for Non-Res. *up to 3 or 4 people per boat
First Come, First Serve. No Pre-Registration Required. No Experience Necessary. PFD, Paddle and Boat provided. Trip Length: about 45 minutes

Lighthouse Tour
May 24, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: West Rock Nature Center
Ages: 10+
Cost: $5
Tours are available on a first come/first served basis. Pre-registration is not required. *No flip-flops, sandals, or open-toed shoes *Appropriate for ages 10+ *Participants must be able to climb a minimum of 87 stairs and a six foot ladder.

To register or for information contact Ranger Joe Milone, call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net

Peregrine Falcons return to the Cliffs of East Rock Park

Once again, a pair of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) have take up residence on the cliffs in East Rock Park. Over the past 3 years, this once endangered species has nested and fledged young from this site.

Considered the fastest animal on the planet, these falcons can exceed speeds of 175 to 200 mph in dive. Sometimes called the "Duck Falcon", these birds hunt their prey in flight. Modern day fighter jets mimic many of the features found in the Peregrine’s body shape. Male falcons tend to be smaller than the females. Generally, nests hold 3 to four eggs that take about 33 days to hatch.

If you would like to observe these Masters of the Sky, I suggest the overlook area at College Woods, next to Geology kiosk. It is a great spot to scope out and observe them going through their daily routine. Look for the white wash, from their droppings on the cliff face to locate them.

As with any wild animal, Please do not disturb the Birds at the Nest site and enjoy them from a respectful distance.

The New Haven Ranger Program holds weekly Bird Walks through out the season, so check out our website calendar of events and joins us this spring.

Nature Notes by Dan Barvir - East Rock Park Ranger.

East Rock Road Bridge Closure Notice

As of April 22, the East Rock Road Bridge will be closed for construction. You will notice a number of signs guiding you around this section of the park. Construction is estimated to take about 250 days.

The City of New Haven’s Parks and the Engineering Department have work out the details to allow trail access to that area of the park, so only vehicular traffic will be detoured. Over the next few months the Engineering Department has assured us they will be holding informational meetings for the public and to address any concerns. After reviewing of the Bridge plans, we are sure that everyone will appreciate the design of this improvement for many years to come.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience that this project may cause and request your patience and cooperation while construction is taking place.

Spring Cleaning in New Haven Parks

Edgewood: We had over 40+ bags just at this site. Ranger Harry Coyle and the Crew at Edgewood cleaned a lot of places and also removed the homeless camp site.

West Rock: There were two crews, one of kids and teachers cleaning the field, and volunteers from the Access fund, Ragged Mountain Foundation, and the American Alpine Club, removing debris and graffiti from the cliffs. On the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in New Haven we picked up litter, dog poop, and glass, and removed tree debris. In Hamden we had Sierra Club Inner City Outings children who picked up a lot of trash. Thank you all for your support and help with this, it could not have been done without you!

East Rock: East Rock Park held 3 cleanups this April to spruce up the park after a long hard winter. April 6th Quinnipiac College students helped to landscape the entrance of East Rock Park’s College Wood in preparation for the Big Rock to Rock celebration and fundraiser. On April 13th , two clean ups took place. The Friends of East Rock Park beautified the Whitney Gate area at the end of East Rock Park Rd. While New Haven Bird Club volunteers help with the clean-up and wildlife restoration project at the Archery Field area.

Ranger Program Schedules

Left to right: Harry Coyle, Martin Torresquintero, Joe Milone, Wray WIlliams, Dan Barvir

Trowbridge Environmental Center at East Rock Park
Staff: Dan Barvir & Wray Williams, Park Rangers

Registration for programs is requested by the Park Ranger Staff for planning purposes. Contact us at 946-6086 for directions, more information, and to register for these programs. All programs meet at the Trowbridge Environmental Center/Ranger Station and are free to New Haven residents except as noted. A donation of $2 per person is suggested for participants residing outside New Haven. The Trowbridge Environmental Center/Ranger Station is located on the corner of Cold Spring & Orange Streets, opposite Wilbur Cross High School.

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Barnard Nature Center at West River Memorial Park
Staff: Harry Coyle, Joe Milone, Park Rangers

Pre-registration for programs is requested by the Park Ranger Staff for planning purposes. Contact us at (203) 691-3539 directions, more information, and to register for these programs. The ranger program calendar is available on the web at: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/parks/. All programs meet at the Barnard Nature Center are free to New Haven residents except as noted. A donation of $2 per person is suggested for participants residing outside New Haven. The Barnard Nature Center is located on the corner Route 34 and Ella T Grasso Boulevard. The park entrance is located on Route 34.

* Fee required, For information please contact: naturepalsFOEP@gmail.com.

Nature Pals Spring Session

The Spring 2013 session of Nature Pals goes from May 1 - June 19, every Wednesday from 9:30-11:00am. Join us as we explore nature with stories, crafts, and walks through Edgewood Park. Children ages 2 to 5 with a parent or caregiver (younger siblings welcome). Kosher snack provided. We meet rain or shine!

Registration available and fees collected at the first meeting of the session.

Register by emailing NaturePalsFOEP@gmail.com.
$48 for 8 week session ($6/week). $7/week drop-in rate.
Register for the whole session and save $$$!

Scholarships are available through the Friends of Edgewood Park. Email NaturePalsFOEP@gmail.com for more information. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Edgewood Park in partnership with the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation & Trees.

The 16Th Annual Westville Village Artwalk

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, rain or shine! ArtWalk kicks-off Friday evening of Mother's Day weekend from 6-10pm with gallery openings, live music, theater, open houses, fabulous dining and more throughout the Village. The festivities continue on Saturday, from 11-6, with something for everyone: a great music line-up on three stages, interactive art activities for all ages, artist demonstrations, special gallery exhibitions, and unique Mother's Day gifts at local boutiques and at our 30+ Artist & Artisan Market. As always, ArtWalk will feature the Village's top cafes and restaurants, plus sidewalk sales and events at Westville's award-winning shops. Historic Westville Village. Visit westvillect.org

Edgewood Park Farmers Market

Edgewood Park – Open year round
The Edgewood Park Market is every Sunday from 10am-2pm
Location: Edgewood Park, corner of Whalley and West Rock Avenues.
Dates: May 5 - December 22 Day & Hours:
Sundays, 10:00am – 2:00pm Bus: B line.

Go to the CitySeed website for a full list of products and vendors.
Edgewood Park at Whalley West Rock Avenues

Monthly Photo Gallery

Remember the Blizzard of '13? Parks Visitor Submission - Photos by Wesley Eder