​In 2015, The West River and its tributaries were designated a "greenway" by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
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See how the West River greenway connects to New Haven Greenways 2030: A vision for active, connected, green transportation and recreation across New Haven. The West River Greenway starts near the Woodbridge Town Line at the Pond Lily Nature Preserve, continuing on through the established trails and bridges of the West River open space. After crossing Westville Center on the Army Corps of Engineers floodworks, the conceptual route creates loops around Edgewood Park and West River Memorial Park. Finally, there are a number of options to continue south to connect to the Shoreline Greenway, including along the West River and a more transportation-oriented routing along Ella T Grasso Boulevard.​​​​​
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Current Efforts
While there are still significant work to finalize routing options, the City is working with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to include multi-use trail crossings in two major bridge projects: Replacement of the Route 1 Bridge over the West River and Replacement of the Kimberly Ave over the West River.
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Get Involved! Learn more about the important projects underway that impact the West River greenway - your input can help!
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Give feedback on the New Haven 2030 Greenways Plan! Take the survey here.
We have a plan for reclaiming the West River. You can help.
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We have a plan for reclaiming the West River -- thanks to funding from the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, leadership from the Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound, technical expertise from Fuss & O'Neill, and grassroots involvement from the Coalition and its members. The plan, adopted in August 2015 and aligned with EPA watershed plan elements, sets our path forward.
Explore a map of the assets in our watershed.
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REPORTS
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2025 Walk Audits of West River Memorial Park
West River Watershed Management Plan
Appendix A: State of the West River Watershed
Appendix B: Green Infrastructure Assessment
Appendix F: Stream Assessment Protocol and Data
West River Watershed Summary: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bacterial TMDL
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Explore images of the watershed & our work.
Breaching the dam at Pond Lily Nature Preserve. Credit: Frank Deleo.
Breaching the dam at Pond Lily Nature Preserve. Credit: Frank Deleo.
Breaching the dam at Pond Lily Nature Preserve. Credit: Frank Deleo.
Breaching the dam at Pond Lily Nature Preserve. Credit: CFE.
Credit: Stephanie Ciarleglio
Coalition members gather at Edgewood Park to celebrate the release of the West River Watershed Plan. Credit: reducerunoff.org.
Common Ground's West River Stewards measure an outfall into the river. Credit: Common Ground.
Common Ground's West River Stewards explore Wintergreen Brook. Credit: Common Ground.
A West River Walk and stream cleanup along Wintergreen Brook, led by Common Ground's West River Stewards. Credit: Common Ground.
The West River in Edgewood Park.
The West River in New Haven, near Westville Center.
A West River Walk along Marginal Drive. Credit: Maria Tupper.