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Welcome to the New Haven Parks Department

   East Rock Park | Edgewood Park | Lighthouse Point | West Rock
   Camp Cedarcrest | Skate Park | Walker Ice Rink | Beaver Pond | Permits

 Edgewood Park

About the Park

SpringWelcome 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.

 


Park Amenities

  • 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.

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Edgewood Park Map

Edgewood Park - Click here for PDF
Click on map for printable PDF version of map

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Sports Facilities

  • 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.

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Ranger Station and Programs

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.

Pond-life exploration

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.

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Events and Programs

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.

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Restrooms and Drinking Water

Restrooms are available at Coogan Pavilion and at the Ranger Station and are open seasonally. A drinking fountain is located at the playground.

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Security Call Box

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.

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Park Hours

The park is open, sunrise to sunset 365 days a year.

For details of upcoming events call 203.946.8028.

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Rules and Regulations

  1. Park in designated lots only.
  2. The Sensory and Secondary Trails are for pedestrian use only. No mountain bikes or motorcycles are permitted on these trails.
  3. Dogs must be leashed at all times (unless in the fenced-in Dog Run). Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.
  4. All paved park roads are closed to motor vehicle traffic.
  5. Fires are not permitted in the park.
  6. Do not harm or collect plants or animals.
  7. Weapons and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
  8. Please help to keep Edgewood Park clean. Put all trash in the provided bins.

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Early Park History

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.

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Memorials

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.

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Friends of Edgewood Park

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.

Candle Maker
Click here to see the Friends of Edgewood Park working on projects with the Edgewood Park Rangers.

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