| September Newsletter | 2013, Volume 4, Number 9 |
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Fall Sports and Recreation Programs
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In this Issue:
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Swimming Lessons
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Lessons begin the week of October 1st
Football
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After-School Outdoor Adventures
Who: Students ages 8-12.
When: Tuesday’s 3:45 pm-5 pm
How Much: $25 per student for all 5 classes
Where: Edgewood Park (meet at 720 Edgewood Ave)
With: New Haven Park Rangers
Why:
- To have a better appreciation of the natural world in and around
- New Haven
- Learn outdoor skills
- Learn leadership skills
- Build confidence
- Be physically and mentally activeDates:
October 1 - Animal Tracking. Edgewood Park
October 8 - Canoeing. Edgewood Park
October 15 - Pond Life Studies/Fishing. Edgewood Park
October 22 - Wilderness Survival. Edgewood Park
October 29 - Geocaching. Edgewood ParkFor more information: Call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net
To Register: Call 203-946-8027
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Lighthouse Point Park Migration Festival
Celebrating Birds, Butterflies & Dragonflies
Sunday, September 22, 2013 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
A suggested donation of $5.00 per car is requested
to help fund next year’s eventCome celebrate the spectacle and mystery of migration at one of the best places to see migrating wild hawks in New England! Lighthouse Point Park is a recognized Important Birding Area.
- Live Bird Shows featuring Hawks and Owls!
- See wild birds up close at banding demonstrations!
- Children’s activities and fun for the whole family!
- Ride the Old-Fashioned Carousel!
- Tour the Historic Lighthouse!
- Live Music!
- Hands-on Butterfly Tagging!
- Bird walks and more!
Schedule of Events 8:00 am – ongoing Hawk Watching (mid field viewing area) 8:00 am to 9:30 am Bird Walk led by Chris Loscalzo 8:30 am to 11:00 am Bird Banding Demo w/ CT Audubon Society 9:00 am to 10:00 am Hawk Flight I.D. Workshop CT Ornithological Association 9:30 am to 10:45 am Children’s Bird Walk led by Flo McBride 9:30 am to 10:45 am Bird Walk led by Mike Horn 9:30 am to 3:00 pm Monarch Butterfly Tagging in the Butterfly Garden 11:15 am to 12:15 Live Raptor Show presented by Horizon Wings 9:00 am to 11:30 am
1:00 pm to 2:00 pmLighthouse Tours 12:15 to 1:15pm Live Music 11am to 2:30 pm Ride the Historic Carousel 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm “Skyhunters in Flight” – Falconry Demo In addition to Audubon CT and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, our event partners include: Friends of Lighthouse Park, Board of Park Commissioners, New Haven Bird Club, CT Butterfly Association, CT Ornithological Association, Northeast Hawk Watch, Peabody Museum
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Hawk Watching at Lighthouse Point Park
Most people are unaware that Lighthouse Point Park offers some of the best hawk and songbird observation opportunities in the entire Northeast during autumn season.
Annually hawks, falcons, eagles, songbirds as well as some species of Butterflies and Dragonflies move through this park on their journey south.
For over 27 years, trained volunteers have kept binoculars to the sky in order to record this passage of birds for Scientific research.
This past year, over 12,000+ Birds of Prey were counted from the mid-field observation area in the park. Count period runs from September 1st to November 30th and hawk watch volunteers can be found there daily, except for rainy days.
A new addition to this migratory hotspot, the establishment of a small coastal grassland habitat, is located across the street from the butterfly garden. Along with the bird feeding station, this small urban oasis has attached a number of new species to Lighthouse Point Park.
Located close by, at East Shore Park, the New Haven Parks Department has created a new wildlife demonstration garden. Funding was received from Audubon CT and the Disney Corporation for the purpose of encouraging the public to plant more wildlife-friendly vegetation in their backyards. Along with the garden, 27 bird-friendly food source trees were added through out the park to replace trees lost during last year’s storms.
Each of these improvements were designed to provide food and cover for wildlife and migrating birds utilizing native plant species.
We, at New Haven Parks and Recreation, encourage taking some time to visit Lighthouse and East Shore Park this fall, to observe for yourself, this seasonal miracle of migration.
~ Ranger Dan Barvir
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Family Archery
Dates: September 11, 18, 25 & October 2
Times: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: West Rock Nature Center, 1080 Wintergreen Ave, Hamden, CT
Ages: 8+
Cost: $60The Beginner Archery series of classes concentrates on range rules, safety rules and fundamentals of archery, and is taught using recurve bows. The beginner session is appropriate for those who have never shot a bow, or those with some previous experience that are seeking a refresher session.
All safety gear and equipment will be provided. (Bow, arrows, finger tab, arm guard, quiver).
Class is limited to 10 students.
For more information: call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net
To Register: Call 203-946-8027
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Canoe Rentals on the Mill
September 20 - Mill River (East Rock Boat Launch) - 5 pm - 7:00 pm
$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 (TBD by Parks Staff)
First Come, First Serve. No Pre-Registration Required
No Experience Necessary.
PFD, Paddle and Boat provided.
For ages 5+. 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Trip Length: about 45 minutesFor more information call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net
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Essentials of Kayaking Course
September 28 - American Canoe Association Level 2 Essentials of Kayaking Course
Lighthouse Point Park - 9 am - 4 pm.
$100 for New Haven Residents. $150 for Non-residents.Learn strokes, maneuvers, landing and launching, equipment & gear, basic rescues, safety & coastal dynamics of tides, currents and winds. This course provides beginners with a safe and fun intro to the sport of coastal kayaking. All gear (paddle, PFD, safety gear, and kayak) are provided. Ages: 13 +. Class is limited to 5 participants.
For more information call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net
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Lighthouse Tours at Lighthouse Point Park
Climb the historic lighthouse!
September 20, 1 - 3 pm
Lighthouse - $5 per person.
Tours leave every 15 minutes.
- No flip-flops, sandals, or open-toed shoes
- Appropriate for ages 10+
- Participants must be able to climb stairs and 6 foot ladderTours are available on a first come/first served basis and can only be purchased in-person at the site the day of the climb. Pre-registration is not required.
For more information call 203-946-6559 or email jmilone@newhavenct.net
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Tours of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument -
East Rock Park
Summit
Wednesday, September 11, 1pm – 4pm
Climb the 87 steps of the 112 foot monument for a spectacular view of New Haven from atop the 366 foot summit of East Rock.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument, located on the 366-foot (112 m) summit of East Rock in New Haven, Connecticut, is visible for miles from the surrounding urban metropolis and Long Island Sound. The monument was built in 1887 and honors the residents of New Haven who gave their lives in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. It is 112 feet (34 m) high and 87 steps to the top. Further information on the Park's history is at the Ranger Station.
For more information:
call 203-946-6086 (Rangers Dan Barvir and Wray Williams)
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Birdwalk and Park Cleanup at Lighthouse
With the New Haven Bird Club members and volunteers
Saturday August 24th
New Haven Bird Members and Park Ranger Dan in action during park clean up. Sat. 8/24/13On a beautiful Saturday morning, August 24th, out at Lighthouse Point Park, Members of the New Haven Bird Club, Hawk watchers and local citizens, joined forces to help clean up Lighthouse Pt Park backwoods trails in preparation for the upcoming 11th annual Migration Festival.
The day started with a bird walk at 8am. We sited about 47 bird species. Highlights of the walk included lot of swallows and Chimney swifts feeding on flying insects. 5 species of warblers were seen and thanks to Nick Bromo and company we added a Morning Warbler to the list.
Confusing Empidonax flycatchers were spotted, but tough to ID, though we had good looks at a Great Crested Flycatcher.
Along with the birds, there was a good show Dragonflies and many colorful Butterflies located around the Butterfly and Bird Garden and the Coastal grassland field.
At about 9:30 am, the volunteers hit the trails, with trash grippers, buckets, trash bags and lopping shears , to clean up and cut back limbs along the trails. At the same time Park staff Rangers , broke out the chainsaws to cut and clear six trees and large limbs brought down by Hurricane Sandy that were blocking trail access. Volunteers collected 12 bags of trash and removed one large old chair. (see attached picture) from the wood trails.
We, at New Haven Parks, would like to thanks the New Haven Bird Club and its members for all their support in making our parks a better place for people, our community and all its plants and animals.
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Nature Pals
Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:00
September 11 through October 30
New Location: Barnard Nature Center, 200 Derby AvenueJoin us as we explore nature with stories, crafts, and outdoor activities. Children ages 2 to 5 with a parent or caregiver (younger siblings welcome). Kosher snack provided. We meet rain or shine!
$48 for 8 week session ($6/week). $7/week drop-in rate.
Register for the whole session and save $$$!Email naturepalsFOEP@gmail.com for more information and to pre-register, or
check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NaturePalsFOEPSponsored by the Friends of Edgewood Park in partnership with
the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation & Trees.
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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
| Day | Date | Time | Program | Leader |
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| Wed | 11, 18, 25 | 8am to 11am | Hawk Watching at Lighthouse Point Park | Barvir |
| Wed | 11 | 10am to 11:30am | Patriot Day Remembrance Day | Williams |
| 11 | 1pm to 3:00pm | Soldiers and Sailors Monument Tours ($5) | Staff | |
| Thu | 12 | 10am to 11:30am | Ranger led Bird Walk | Barvir |
| Sat | 14 | 10am to 1pm | Park Clean Up and Trail work with the Friends of East Rock Park |
Barvir |
| Mon | 16 | 4pm to 6pm | Basic Archery Classes at West Rock Nature Center | Williams |
| Tue | 17 | 4pm to 6pm | Basic Archery Classes at West Rock Nature Center | Williams |
| Thu | 19 | 4pm to 6pm | Basic Archery Classes at West Rock Nature Center | Williams |
| Thu | 19 & 26 | 9:30am to 11:30am | Hawk watching at the East Rock Summit | Barvir |
| Fri | 20 | 11:30am to 1pm | Last Day of Summer Hike | Williams |
| Thu | 20 & 27 | 9:30am to 11:30am | Hawk watching at the East Rock Summit | Barvir |
| Sun | 22 | 8am to 3pm | Migration Fest at Lighthouse Pt. Park ($5/car) | Staff |
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. Trowbridge program calendar is available on the web at: http://newhavencity.webship.com/Parks/ranger/eastrock.asp 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.
Barnard Nature Center at West River Memorial Park
Staff: Harry Coyle, Park Ranger
| Day | Date | Time | Program | Ranger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry |
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
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Holiday Tree Sought
Missing! 55 to 70 foot tall Norway Spruce or Douglas Fir tree (not a blue spruce). The staff of the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation & Trees has been looking for a very special tree to be used on the New Haven Green during the winter holidays. Have you seen this tree? If so, would you like to donate the tree to the city?
The donated tree will be decorated with over 30,000 lights; be the holiday centerpiece of the historic green and will be removed from your property free of charge.
Trees between 25 and 40 feet high will be considered for future years or other locations.
To donate a tree call Christy Hass at the Parks’ Maintenance Division (203) 946-8004 or chass@newhavenct.net.
If you have a photo of the tree; please include in your e-mail.
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Monthly Photo Gallery
Kayaking at Lighthouse Point Park
Eco Camp at East Rock Park
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