We were looking for a beach or park close by, to catch some afternoon rays after our busy day in…read moreMystic, This scrubby little park was close and has a small pebbly beach on a bay. There are some positives: + Playground + Free Parking + Picnic Area + Open Field + Easy Access + Shallow, protected water good for children + Lifeguard on duty in summer There are some negatives: - Very small beach - Small swimming area - Beach has pebbles and the sand isn't comfortable to walk on - Limited shade - Not very attractive - A modest view - Porta Potty's for rest rooms - No other services A go to place for beach goers? I don't think so, but likley not a bad spot for locals with kids.

So my visit here started with a dream - I wanted my dog to see the ocean. The internet claimed this…read morewas a dog friendly beach, so off we went! Yes, it is technically on a bay, but it's salt water, there are sea shells and sea glass, and considering my dog is two feet tall and hats the water, this is an ocean beach (for him). I will die on this hill. Williams Beach is adjacent to the YMCA and like, three giant steps from their parking lot. It does seem the internet got it right that the beach is without life guard after Labor Day, and there is signage asking dogs to stay off the sand and out of the water. There are also "park" areas, I assume owned by the YMCA, including but not limited to, a volleyball court, playground, and baseball fields. Picnic tables are plentiful. It was nice and quiet in the middle of September on a weekday, although it must be packed in the summer. It was pretty clean, although any litter I saw was definitely from irresponsible humans and not the inexplicably banned dogs.

The most beautiful, relaxing walk I've had in quite some time. A perfect trail spot for pets, very…read morepet friendly. The homeowner of the house facing the parking lot was very kind while working in his front yard, the whole area was a great experience.

I had a pretty decent experience at this park, but the weather was a factor in perhaps a lower…read morereview than it could be. This park is located off of a residential neighborhood in Groton, close to the coast and with hiking and cycling trails. One of the issues with this park is that none of the trails are really blazed, so although there's a trail map, there are a lot of deer paths and twisty trails that make navigation difficult. Rain makes this a little more tricky. We were there to see the Canopy Rock, which is a historical landmark, the site of a religious revival. Sadly, the rock is covered in graffiti, which was really disappointing. I plan on coming back to give this park another chance, because what we saw was interesting, but the rain really forced us to cut our visit short.

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center serves as a fantastic alternative to the other animal-based…read moretourist attractions in the area of Mystic, CT. Though I am quite a big fan of the Mystic Aquarium, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center is a fantastic getaway from what can sometimes be a very jam-packed and overwhelming institution. I visited in late January, which admittedly is probably not the best time to be visiting here, but a five star review should tell that even in the colder months, this place still was as warm and as welcoming as one could expect. Though you're not going to be seeing anything huge, the live animals on display are very exciting still. Collections of herptiles, such as Painted and Spotted Turtles, New England Wood Turtles, snakes, and one of my personal favorites, the Diamondback Terrapin all call this institution home. In addition to that, the Nature Center also has a robust Bird-of-Prey collection, with Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Broad-Winged Hawks, a relatively rare species in captivity around here. Many of these birds are permanently injured I believe, or unsuitable for release, and it is the job of the nature center to care for them, which they do fantastically. I understand the general public might see these as "cages", but I've been to a multitude of animal facilities across the United States and I was very impressed with the level of care that these species receive. While the live animals are quite interesting to look at, dead ones are too! The nature center has a huge assortment of local species in taxidermized forms, showcasing the incredible wildlife that we have in our very own backyards in New England. It allows you to get a closer look and a deeper appreciation for some species you typically don't get to see up close. I have a background in sociology and one of the things that my professor has turned me onto is the sociology of bathrooms and how they're presented, so I tend to take a picture of every bathroom at every institution I end up going to. Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center did not disappoint. I thoroughly loved the tiling on the walls of native wildlife. A very good touch. The entire facility is filled to the brim with education on the native wildlife habitats and species you can find around Mystic. It's very good. For birders, this place is a fairly decent way to find more native species. Red-Bellied, Downy, and Hairy Woodpecker, tons of sparrows, and my friend has even spotted a Belted Kingfisher here in the warmer months. Overall, this place is fantastic. The front of desk lady was extremely helpful and kind. I only had wish I had gotten her name, she made this experience a memorable one. If you're in the area in the future, whether it's looking for nature trails or even visiting the aquarium or the seaport, please find some time to check out this location. It's a quick stop but absolutely worth it to learn a lot more about the nature around us. I look forward to stopping by once again in the warmer months. I am hoping that they take proper precautions with the oncoming Avian Influenza however.

Must see if in mystic. The owls were so cool and learning about rehabilitation makes you want to…read morebecome a conservationist. Even if the building is closed, you can still enjoy the trails. Don't forget to donate to keep this place going.

Really nice spot to take a short walk and stretch the legs while in Westerly. I love how it's also…read morean arboretum and all the trees are marked with plaques denoting their common and scientific names. There are also a number of interpretive signs that convey some of the history and current uses of the buildings. There are a number of war monuments and some cool sculptures. We especially enjoyed the sculpture "The Runaway Bunny" by Margaret Wise Brown. Love that the park was founded by a woman, Harriet Wilcox. Opposite the park, there is a nice mural with her image and apparently a quote by her "The People Shall Have Their Park". Respect. The park is open dawn to 9pm. Street parking.

Wilcox Park is one of Westerly's best kept secrets. Probably not for locals, but for out of towners…read morelike me I adore this place. I go at least a few times a year. It feels to me like I am in in a European park, with fountain, statues, and carefully sculpted ponds, with bench seating throughout. It's a large space with winding walking paths. Much nicer in the summer when everything is in full bloom but even in the winter or early spring on a sunny day it still has a lot to offer a nature buff like myself. You can park on the street for free and access the park at different points. Definitely worth a visit particularly in the warmer weather.

Mystic River Park is a green space right on the Mystic River; it has lovely views of the Mystic…read moreBascule Bridge. It's a beautiful green space for the locals and tourists. The dock is a nice spot to take a stroll on the boardwalk; there is a playground, benches, and an ice cream shop right nearby. It's also a short distance from the main downtown hub. You can order takeout and ice cream and picnic at this park There are many events, festivals, and concerts hosted there. We saw people picnicing, relaxing, walking their pups, eating ice cream on a beautiful, hot Saturday. It's a great spot to watch the boats go by and see the drawbridge go up. There is a small parking lot but we parked on street because it was full. It's worth a visit if you're in Mystic!

As a local I am in Mystic River Park often. It is one of our gems, clean and well kept. As I walk…read moreoften, I also avail myself of the restroom, which for a public space is well-maintained. Thank you, Rich for taking such good care of the space.

Our friends drove us to this picturesque area where quite often they picnic. The breeze was gently…read moreblowing. The ships floated gently on the water. The blue skies made for a wonderful day and pretty experience.

Great example of how a parks and recreation dept should run. Lots of open spaces, activities for…read moreall ages and an amazing community center and senior center. Well done. Cheers

Great little playground for kids. Separate play area for little kids. Covered dining area with a…read morefew picnic tables. Tons of parking. There never seems to be more than 2 other families here for the playground. Here is where all the local teams play soccer. Its super crowded on Saturday. To the left there's also a skateboard park. I don't know how large it is but you can see some of it from the road. I think that its pretty awesome that westerly has a skate park.

The town's historical memory is subtly anchored by this green space. The square, which is about…read more50 feet by 50 feet, is surrounded by a basic wood-post-and-chain fence and is raised slightly above the nearby streets by a granite curb. It has an entry at the south end. A brownstone monument with a square shaft and a three-tiered base, capped by an iron shell that was most likely recovered during the bombardment in 1814, stands in the center. Two rebuilt 18-cannon, cast in the 1780s, flank the monument. Locals are renowned for using them to fend off a British naval attack by the Ramillies and its fleet. Surrounding the square are well-preserved 19th-century homes and the stately Ocean Bank building, a Greek Revival structure from 1850 with Doric columns and granite detailing. The square itself is modest, but its presence is powerful--a quiet tribute to civic courage and community resilience, nestled just a short walk from the harbor and lighthouse. It is a powerful space and a reminder of the conflict and how far we've come since then. [Review 1074 of 2025 - 127 in Connecticut - 24628 overall]

Two against many…read more Cannon Square is a small park in the middle of the small and very historical borough of Stonington, Ct. A small place with a long nautical history that was also the location of a famous battle in 1814 that had four large and powerful British gunships armed with a huge number of powerful guns against only two eighteen pound cannon of the Americans. The battle started wih Sir Thomas Hardy of the British demanding the immediately surrender of the town. The defiant Americans were not intimidated and replied to Sir Hardy this now famous quote, "We shall defend the place to the last extremity, should it be destroyed, we shall perish in it's ruins." Apparently Sir Thomas thought this was going to be a quick and easy victory and was shocked by the brash and recalcitrant civilians. As he unloaded with all the might of his four gunships the Americans responded with their two cannon. The battle and shelling raged back and forth from Aug 9 to Aug 12 with over 50 tons of shell expended by the British. Some of the shells hit the town but the fires were quickly extinguish by the people, but many other shells landed in the swamps. At one point the Brits even tried landing but were repelled by a hail of gunfire from the crack Americans gunners. Finally after taking damage to his ships and casualties to his men from the two American cannon Sir Hardy thought better of the invasion and turned his tail and fled the area. A bitter and humiliating defeat by a group of common folks that just wouldn't give up their town. Fortunately the two cannon were saved and placed in a small square in the center of the borough. Throughout the town people still proudly display cannon balls and shot , some taken from their own houses, on pedestals on the streets. The two cannon were recently restored and now shine like new. The people in town even put Xmas light on them and hold various celebrations in their honor. The American poet, Philip Freneau, wrote a great poem about the battle. Some rather humorous prose making fun at the British and their crappy shooting. http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/11930/ Of course one account of the battle tries to glorify Hardy's defeat by saying that he intentionally missed with most of his fire because he didn't want to hurt the Innocent civilians. As with most history who knows what the real truth is. But the two guns that still stand defiantly in the square shows that on occasion, a few common people can stand against many, and that fortitude and bravery is more important than just power and might.