Greenwich Audubon Center
The 295-acre sanctuary has approximately 7 miles of trails that lead to a hardwood forest, old fields, lake, streams, and vernal ponds.
Good for all skill levels, it runs through wooded areas, open areas, swamp streams, around a lake, and it is very well marked. Free for Audubon members. For non-members, $3.00 for adults and $1.50 for children/seniors.
Trails are open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. The Nature Center is open 9am-5pm, seven days a week, except major holidays.
Babcock Preserve
Approximately 300 acres of woods & trails, Babcock Preserve is open to the public during daylight hours for hiking, jogging, nature study, picnicking and horseback riding on designated trails.
This vast tract of forested land, containing an enormous variety of plants and animals, is being deliberately maintained as a natural area and allowed to undergo change without the interference of man. An extensive network of trails, many of them based on wild animal trails, range in length from 1 to 3.5 miles.
A picnic area has been set aside near the entrance. This tour is technically tricky along some portions of the rocky trail, but there is enough smoother double track to quicken the pace. The trails are fairly level and gently roll over an interesting terrain of primitive wilderness habitat hosting a wide variety of birds and small mammals.
Located just north of the town of Greenwich on North Street. US 1 to North Maple Avenue to North Street. Continue on North Street past North Street School on left. Continue approximately 2 more miles, entrance on left just past the reservoir.
Mianus River & Natural Park
There are two trails of note on the Greenwich portion of the Mianus Park property. They are the Pond trail and the Oak trail. The pond trail, wide, well graded and easily traversed, begins at the Cognewaugh Road entrance. It skirts the lowland area, which during the wet seasons may be readily identified as swamp. The red Maple saplings stand in sharp contrast to the mature Oak and Beech in the upland slopes to the west.
There is a Nature Trail in the park with 13 points of interest. The Nature Trail is about two and a half miles long and takes no more than two hours at a leisurely place. The trail is marked with green blazes painted on trees along the way. The thirteen points of interest are marked by numbered green posts, covering a variety of features in limited detail.
One Nature Trail along ridge overlooking Mianus Pond to the Southwest no entrance signs.
Access to Mianus Pond in all terrain below trail.
This preserve begins about one thousand feet north of the Post Road on the eastern shore of Mianus Pond. It is a haven for hikers, who must hike to the area as well as there is no parking either in the Park or on adjacent roads. Pedestrian access is from the northern ends of Westview Place and Cary Rd. It is open year round, and closes at dusk.
Location: North Cos Cob, East of Cognewaugh Road, on Greenwich/ Stamford line.
Sachem Nature Preserve
The preserve is 3.57 acres of undeveloped land on the west side of Sachem Lane between Indian Field Road and the Post Road. There is a circular nature trail and a stream running through the property which runs dry in the summer. Only passive recreation is permitted, hiking, bird watching and photography.
This small parcel of undeveloped land is surrounded by homes on all sides. It is characterized by a mature second growth deciduous forest, primarily red maple, black cherry , and white Ash, with an understory of shrubs and saplings. Almost 1/3 of the Preserve is wetland, and floods during the heavy rains. A stream runs south through the property, but is usually dry in the ,summer months.
The land is generally level and low, with the exception of its western edge, which rises approximately 15 feet higher. The land is traversed with several pathways created by the foot traffic of area residents. The Preserve provides habitat for a variety of small mammals and birds.
Montgomery Pinetum Park and Nature Center
Montgomery Pinetum Park and Nature Center is a 30-acre tract that contains the remnants of what was once an extensive conifer collection from around the world, assembled by the late Colonel Montgomery. The park is open daily year-around from 8 a.m. to sunset except Sundays between Nov. 15 and March 15.
To reach Montgomery Park and Pinetum, go north on Orchard Street from the Post Road in Cos Cob. Bear right onto Bible Street and continue .7 mile. The entrance is on the west side directly opposite Clover Place. Follow the driveway to the right to park for the Pinetum and Park.
Informal footpaths skirt low wetland areas and ridges with large Oaks and Maples in the better-drained portions of the property. Appropriate clothing is advised for coping with thicket and underbrush.
For more information:
Greenwich.audubon.org
Trails.com
Friendsofmianusriver.com
Greenwichct.org