An Urban Oasis
During summer, you are almost guaranteed to see an osprey on a walk through the 35-acre Quinnipiac Meadows preserve. And if you’re really lucky, you might spot a Diamond Back Terrapin, a threatened species of turtle that lives in brackish waters along the east coast. But even if you don’t, you can learn about them and other creatures living in the preserve from the newly installed signs posted along the two loop trails.
The culmination of a yearlong project between the New Haven Land Trust and the Yale Peabody Museum, the signs provide visitors with an overview of the history, ecology, wildlife, and terrain of the preserve. They were funded in part with a grant from The Quinnipiac River Fund.
Winding its way through eastern red cedars, shadbush, and other native plants and grasses, the trails offer sweeping views of the Quinnipiac River and coastal marshland. Artfully placed benches made out of stone slabs found scattered on the site by previous owners have been constructed by local resident Chris Ozyck.
“What I love most is having this peaceful natural area so close to the city,” says Land Trust Operations Manager Lauren Bisio – Operations Manager.
Location: 1040 Quinnipiac Ave. Preserve entrance is near the Amtrak railroad bridge. Park in front of the gate and walk in through pedestrian entrance on the left side of gate.