Harkness Memorial State Park sits alongside the Long Island Sound with over 230 acres of sweeping lawns, formal gardens, and a summer mansion that belonged to the Harkness family. Several paved walkways run throughout the property allowing for accessible opportunities to explore and view Long Island Sound.
The Neiring walking path long the western portion of the property leads to a wildlife viewing platform overviewing Goshen Cove. The Dr. William A. Niering wildlife area provides ample opportunity for birders throughout the year. The 31-acre preserve, managed as part of Harkness, is an unusual mix of landscapes within a relatively small area characterized by a long narrow beach, low sand dune, salt marsh and saltwater cove, as well as coastal grassland. Protected beach dune areas are provided for the rare and threatened Piping Plover and Least Terns.
Tours of the mansion are available as well as the formal gardens. Picnic tables and bathrooms are accessible to the public. Shore fishing is also available along the beach, though swimming is not allowed.
The Harkness mansion is available for renting and reservations.
Originally from Ohio, Edward S. Harkness was to become heir to a fortune initiated by his father's substantial investments in John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Instilled at an early age with an ardent love for his fellow man and a feeling of responsibility for the wise and just use of the wealth at his command, Mr. Harkness was to bestow over two hundred million dollars upon wide-ranging philanthropies.
The mansion was purchased in 1907 by Edward and Mary Harkness. From 1918 to 1929, extensive work was done to the grounds by noted landscape designer Beatrix Jones Farrand (one of the founders of the American Society of Landscape Architects). The estate was left to the State of Connecticut in 1950 and became part of the State Park system in 1952.
The mansion and surrounding gardens have undergone many renovations and restorations.
This park is managed by the following CT DEEP Park Headquarters:
275 Great Neck Road Waterford, CT 06385
Take Route 2 south to Colchester. Route 85 south to New London, take a right onto Boston Post Road (Route 1), and then take a left onto Ocean Ave. Right onto Niles Hill Road. Left onto Dimmock Road.
From Hartford area: take Route 91 southbound onto Route 9 south. It will merge with Route 95, go northbound on Route 95, take Exit 75. Bear right at the end of the exit, you will be on Route 1. Proceed 3 miles to the light at Avery Lane (Route 213), turn right and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.
From Boston and Providence areas: take Route 95 southbound to Exit 81. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto access road and proceed to stop light. At the light take a left onto Cross Road and continue to the intersection with Route 1. Turn left onto Route 1 and continue to the traffic light at Avery Lane (Route 213). Turn right onto Avery Lane and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.
From New York and New Haven areas: take Route 95 northbound, Exit 75. Bear right at the end of the exit, you will be on Route 1. Proceed 3 miles to the light at Avery Lane (Route 213), turn right and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.
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