New Canaan
Nature Center is a
perfect place to bring young
children and introduce them to
nature. It's also great for those
looking for an easy, peaceful
stroll through interesting
terrain. New Canaan Nature Center
(part of the Audubon Society) is
laid out in a manner that creates
little worlds with everything
within close proximity of the main
parking lot. The center is located
just few miles north of New
Canaan's business district in a
residential neighborhood. The way
the grounds are designed, you'll
be thinking you're much farther
out in the woods or open fields
than you really are. The center
has a large outer loop along with
other smaller trail systems that
make for a nice web of paths. Open
fields, woodlands, ponds, bogs,
marshy areas, and beautiful
gardens can be explored within a
20 minute walk.
If you take your time and explore
the whole trail system you can
make for a longer hike and you're
likely to encounter an abundance
of wildlife. Because this nature
center is in southern Fairfield
County where open space is hard to
find, the animals flock to the
center and use it as a haven from
suburban sprawl. Bird watching is
extremely popular here and there
are viewing platforms and plenty
of strategically placed benches to
aid the bird watching fanatic.
Not only have the people at New
Canaan Nature Center created a
great trail system with varying
ecosystems, they've also built one
of the best nature facilities in
the state. The Visitors Center
(museum, art gallery, education
center, and large greenhouse) is
quite a site to behold. Across the
parking lot is the Animal Care
Building with its first rate
raptor (hawks, falcons, etc.)
display and outdoor amphitheater
for animal viewing and guest
speakers. The main area also has
picnic tables, manicured gardens,
and plenty of areas to explore
before heading off onto the trail
system. If you love to paint or
are into photography then you'll
certainly want to visit New Canaan
Nature Center with all the natural
and architectural beauty.
There is a small fee to enter some
of the buildings and like all
Audubon hikes, there is a
voluntary fee to help maintain the
trail system.
Visit their website for general
information and precise
directions. www.newcanaannature.org
Directions: New
Canaan Nature Center is about one
mile north of New Canaan's
business district on the left hand
side off Route 124. (144 Oenoke
Rdg)
There are many ways to get to the
center depending upon where you
are coming from so your best bet
is to plan a course using Mapquest
to 144 Oenoke Rdg in New Canaan.
The following was taken directly
off of their website, www.newcanaannature.org.
Click "Where We Are" near the top
left of homepage.
From the Merritt Parkway (route
15), take exit 37. Make a left
at the end of the ramp onto
route 124. You will pass over
the Merritt Parkway and head
north along South Avenue into
New Canaan. Follow route 124
through town.
At the third traffic light turn
right onto Cherry Street. At the
next traffic light turn left
onto Main Street. Main Street
becomes Oenoke Ridge. The New
Canaan Nature Center is located
about 1/4 mile north of town on
the left at 144 Oenoke Ridge.
The driveway is on the left,
just past St. Mark's Episcopal
Church (on the right) and just
before you reach the
Presbyterian Church (on your
left) or the Roger Sherman Inn
(on your right).
Southbound on I-95, take exit
11. Make a left at the end of
the ramp onto route 1. In
approximately 1 mile you will
pass under a railroad bridge and
then a traffic light. At the
next traffic light turn left
onto route 124. Follow route 124
north, crossing over the Merritt
Parkway and into New Canaan.
Follow directions above.
Northbound on I-95, take exit
11. Make a left at the end of
the ramp onto route 1. In
approximately 1 mile you will
pass under a railroad bridge and
through a traffic light. At the
next traffic light turn left
onto route 124. Follow route 124
north, crossing over the Merritt
Parkway and into New Canaan.
Follow directions above.
Printable
version of the New Canaan Nature
Center page
If you have any trail updates to
share or have feedback/questions
please click
here to send email or call
203.788.7665
|
