Woodland Park Nature Preserve is the largest park in Darien encompassing extensive hiking rails for study or casual enjoyment.

The main entrance is on Middlesex Road, where there is a small parking lot and there two trails left and right take into in the wonderland of Woodland Park!

Before you enter the trail system from Middlesex Road, you will notice an exhibit in the display case.  The exhibit, changed periodically, will educate visitors about Woodland Park and any new events.  As you begin your walk, you will come across a footbridge over a stream built by a Boy Scout several years ago.  It is one of many projects accomplished by the Boy Scouts to improve the park. We are currently in planning to fix the footbridge as storms and overall exposure have deteriorated it. We appreciate your patience.

Various highlights are located along the trail systems such as Turtle Pond a stream and open field. You will find ducks, turtles, frogs and other small animals by the pond.Please do not disturb the park or the animals that call this park their home.  

Spend an afternoon learning and enjoying a natural preserve that’s right in your own backyard!

The Footbridge

The footbridge was built by the Boy Scouts to improve the park and prevent further erosion. The area around the footbridge and brook consists of many plants as well as diverse trees surrounding it. Plants such as, New York Fern, Hayscented Fern, False Hellebore exist along with the Tulip trees, Dogwood, Shagbark Hickory, and Beech Trees. The footbridge is now in need of repair and FOWP are working to restore it.

Water Strider

American Bullfrog

Woodchuck

Baby Turtles just born

Japanese Maple

Turtle Pond and Old Maid's Pond

Turtle Pond is a man-made pond formed by damming the stream that flows through the park and provides a constant and necessary source of water for wildlife. At both ponds, Water Spiders, frogs, turtles and ducks exist as well as a variety of plants such as Hayscented Ferns, Christmas Ferns,Trout Lillies, and Skunk Cabbage, to name a few.

Old Maid's Pond,the water level can very very low 

Turtle Pond 

Christmas Fern

American Beech 

Chipmunk 

Butterfly Weed

Deer

Turtle

Turkey

False Hellebore