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 West Rock Nature Center

Entrance to West Rock Nature Center

Birth of the 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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Programs

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.

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.

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Center Amenities

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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General Information

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Directions

FROM NEW HAVEN;

1. Follow Whalley Ave. to Fitch St. (Exxon gas station on right).
2. Turn right onto Fitch St. and follow to third stop light. (just under Southern CT State University walkway).
3. Turn left onto Wintergreen Ave. Follow road to fork.
4. Bear right at fork and proceed to stop sign.
5. Turn left at sign, still Wintergreen Ave., and follow up hill. Nature Center is on right just before overpass.
6. Drive up driveway and park in lot on the right.

FROM 91 or 95;

1. Get off New Haven exit 1 onto Frontage Rd. Follow to the end.
2. Turn right at stop light onto Ella Grasso Boulevard.
3. Follow to corner of Boulevard and Whalley Ave. (Duncan Donuts on right).
4. Turn left onto Whalley Ave. and follow above directions.

FROM RTE 15 (MERRITT/WILBUR CROSS PARKWAY) SOUTH;

1. Take exit 59. Turn right off exit onto route 69. Follow to stop light.
2. Continue straight onto Amity Rd. Follow Amity Road for about 1.4 miles.
3. Amity Rd. is now Whalley Ave. Stay on Whalley Ave. to fourth stop light (Exxon Gas Station on left).
4. Turn left at light onto Fitch St. and follow above directions from New Haven.

FROM RTE 15 (MERRITT/WILBUR CROSS PARKWAY) NORTH;

1. Get off Hamden exit 60. Turn right from ramp onto Dixwell Avenue.
2. Follow Dixwell approx. 3 miles to Wooden Street (Hess Gas station on right).
3. 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.
4. 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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West Rock Nature Center Map

Click on Map for Enlarged View | Click here for interactive Map of West Rock

Note: To view PDF files you must have installed a free copy of Adobe Acrobat® Reader

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