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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Ranger-led programs may be scheduled by school or community groups and
cover a wide range of nature related topics for all ages. Additional
specialized programs can be arranged with the Rangers in order to address
particular interests or curricular needs.
- Animal Tracking
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Orienteering
- Animal Courtships
- Geological History Walks
- Nature Crafts
- Mammals
- Who Eats What
|
- Wildflower Walks
- Tree Identification
- Bats/Nocturnals
- Birds of the Northeast
- Hikes to Judges Cave
- Talking to Turkeys
- Nature Interpretation
- Stream and Pond Life
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A recent addition to The Center is the Challenge Course. By taking on
progressively more challenging experiences participants learn team building,
cooperation, trust and self confidence. Activities vary depending on
the number and age of participants.
 For
more information about the
City of New Haven Parks Department Ranger
Programs,
visit the Ranger Programs section
of our website.
|
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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.
- At The Visitor Center, guests of all ages can experience the backyard
birding area, a pond life and aquatics display, a local wildlife
and nocturnal creatures exhibit, and a variety of educationally interactive
demonstrations.
- In the Nature House visitors can observe a variety of live reptiles,
amphibians, and insects either indigenous to Connecticut or far off
climatic regions.
- 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.
- Gardening components include a landscaping for wildlife area, raised
beds, and a three sisters garden similar to plantings of the indigenous
peoples of Southern New England.
Picnic Grove and Huff Puff Hill
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| Park hours |
The center is open to visitors from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM year round. |
| Parking |
There are ample free parking areas in both the lower and upper
lots. |
| Accommodations |
Both inside rest rooms and the outdoor comfort station are accessible.
The comfort station is open from Memorial Day to the second Saturday
in October. |
| Telephone numbers |
West Rock Nature Center Rangers
Wray Williams 203-946-8019
Joe Milone 203-946-8016
New Haven Parks Administration 203-946-8019 |
| 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR LOST, CALL 203-946-8016
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School programs
Thousands of students from area schools visit the Nature Center each year. Tour guides are limited. Self-guided groups are welcomed
any time. Call at least two weeks in advance of a visit at 946-8016. There is no charge for a group visit.
Visitor Center
Nature House
Reptile Wall Display |
Reptile Tanks |
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Click on Map for Printable PDF version of map
Note: To
view PDF files you must have installed a free copy of Adobe
Acrobat® Reader
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