Waveny Park - New Canaan, CT
Waveny Park – A Dog-Friendly Destination in New Canaan, CT
Waveny Park in New Canaan, Connecticut, is a stunning, community-loved dog park featuring expansive grounds, scenic gardens, and well-maintained walking and running trails. This pet-friendly park is highly rated by locals for its peaceful ambiance, beautiful scenery, and variety of outdoor activities. Dog owners will appreciate the open grassy fields where well-trained dogs can enjoy off-leash play, along with the park’s picturesque mansion, gardens, and lake views that make every visit unique.
Perfect for dog walks, picnics, or simply exploring nature, Waveny Park offers accessible parking, plenty of space for both people and pets, and is a popular spot year-round—including for sledding in the winter and community events on warm days. Whether you’re seeking a family outing, a relaxing stroll with your dog, or great spots for photography, Waveny Park stands out among dog parks in Fairfield County.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash in the large open areas if they are well-trained and under voice control.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? No, the main dog-friendly areas are not fenced—owners should ensure their dogs are responsive and under control.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are numerous well-maintained walking and running trails throughout the park, perfect for dog-friendly hiking in New Canaan.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are mature trees throughout the park that provide shade, and the mansion area offers shelter.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, picnicking is popular in the park with tables and many grassy areas for a relaxing meal outdoors.
- Where is the best place to park? Waveny Park offers ample free parking in its large parking lot, making visits easy and convenient.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the park is well-maintained, with clean trails and picnic areas.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are picnic tables and seating areas scattered throughout the park.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, Waveny Park is open year-round and is even popular in winter for sledding and snowshoeing.
- Are there playgrounds or activities for kids? Yes, there are areas for children, including sledding hills and open space for play.
Reviews
A stunning park right off the Merritt with tons of space, numerous gardens, very dog friendly, and a great place to hang out on a warm day.
Will definitely be back.
We went here for a free music concert on Wednesday evening. 7:30 – 9:30 pm. There is plenty of parking and an excellent band. Highly recommended.
Beautiful park with wonderful spots to discover. The house and it’s surroundings are picturesque!
Absolutely stunning walk/running trails. Highly recommend walking through the gardens and taking in the nature, so peaceful and quiet.
Very beautiful park, great sledding in the winter, great for walks, great variety in the scenery.
The greenhouse/canopy/mansion area is just beautiful, very well maintained, the variety in the flora is beautiful.
I usually go here with my family, either in the winter for sledding, or just to walk around with the dogs and get some fresh air with some good views.
There are a few areas which are nothing but huge grassy fields and open space, which is great for going off leash if you’ve trained your dogs to not run off, playing sports, or even picnics.
I love just walking around and taking in nature here, the aesthetics are really amazing, especially for photography!
There’s a nice lake/river right at the bottom of the hill, behind the mansion, that just stunning on nice sunny/partially cloudy days.