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West River Memorial Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 161 Google reviews · Running trail in West Haven, Connecticut · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from West River Memorial Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Park, fishing area and baseball spot, great for bird watching, with basketball and hiking facilities.

What runners say about West River Memorial Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (161 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful strip of land bordering marshlands and bird habitat, basketball and child play area as well.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Quiet area with lots of wildlife to observe in their natural habitat.”

Very nice and clean park. Great for playing baseball or softball. Nice trails lead you up to 3 Judges Cave on top and there is a Summit View on the opposite side.

★★★★☆ — Stephen , Oct 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 161 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Quiet area with lots of wildlife to observe in their natural habitat.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Beautiful strip of land bordering marshlands and bird habitat, basketball and child play area as well.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🚻 Restrooms

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Plan your run at West River Memorial Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitect.audubon.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–8 pm
Tuesday 7 am–8 pm
Wednesday 7 am–8 pm
Thursday 7 am–8 pm
Friday 7 am–8 pm
Saturday 7 am–8 pm
Sunday 7 am–8 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find West River Memorial Park

200 Derby Ave, West Haven, CT 06516

Get directions

Running trails near West Haven

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Edgewood Park

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PavedScenicDog-friendly

Busy waterfront park offers summer & winter recreation, an off-leash area, loop trail & skate park.

1.6 miles away

Long Wharf Nature Preserve

4.4 ★★★★☆ 176 reviews

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LoopCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Fiddler crabs and migratory birds frequent this small waterfront preserve featuring salt marshes.

1.8 miles away

Farmington Canal Greenway

4.5 ★★★★★ 137 reviews

Hamden, CT

ScenicDog-friendly

Sprawling greenway offering nearly 50 mi. of traffic-free recreation, including jogging & biking.

1.9 miles away

Long Wharf Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,833 reviews

New Haven, CT

ScenicDog-friendly

Narrow area on the water offering walking paths, benches & a pier with historic schooner replicas.

1.9 miles away

Amrhyn Field

4.1 ★★★★☆ 16 reviews

New Haven, CT

Loop

2.0 miles away

West Rock South Overlook

4.7 ★★★★★ 55 reviews

New Haven, CT

Scenic

Natural area with trails, overlooks, and views of Long Island Sound.

2.1 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.