Family Time
Getting Your Feet Wet
There’s something about the springtime that makes people giddy with excitement, likely because of the noticeable changes all around us: the longer days, the baby animals, and the clean smell of a good spring rain. Therefore, we know it’s a steady march into summer.
Heading outside into your own backyard, taking a walk in the woods, or perhaps getting your feet wet are wonderful ways to really soak in the springtime splendor. There is a lot of magic to experience with your family during the spring, so head outside and enjoy the show in some of these hidden gems throughout Milford.
Sea Spray
For an afternoon of seaside exploration, head to the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center at Milford Point, a hidden treasure at the Western-most tip of the city. Buffered by an expanse of sea grass dunes that stretch to the end of the point, the sandbar extends into a curved peninsula, offering a safe haven for shorebirds like piping plovers and egrets to nest.
This is a great spot for young families; spend hours combing the shoreline, dip your toes in the water, and collect seashells glimmering like tiny beach tokens. You’ll find oysters and conch shells, sea scallops, mermaid’s toenails, and much more.
Inside the Coastal Center, visit the snakes, turtles, and fish, or try and spot some shorebirds. Be sure to climb the spiral staircase to the tower for spectacular views of the Charles E. Wheeler Wildlife Area and Long Island Sound.
Wet ‘n Wild Woods
Tucked down the hill just beyond Bodie’s Place (the handicapped accessible playground) and the new splash pad is an extensive network of trails that make up a good chunk up Eisenhower Park.
Meandering alongside the Wepawaug River, wetlands, vernal pools, and forested areas, there are family-friendly flat trails to traverse, intersecting nearly every portion of the 200-acre park. And the best part? You can dip your toes in the Wepawaug River that flows the entire length of Eisenhower Park.
Part of the river diverts into Girl Scout Pond and forms a small island connected by bridges where there are always frogs to catch and turtles to discover. Bring a butterfly net and a bucket for hours of nature-inspired adventures.
Walk Across the Water
Silver Sands State Park offers miles of preserved natural beach connecting the Walnut Beach and Fort Trumbull Beach neighborhoods. The 47-acre park features a three-mile boardwalk stretching from the end of East Broadway to Walnut Beach.
At low tide, it’s difficult to resist the lure of Charles Island. Only a half-mile stroll from Silver Sands beach along the tidally submerged tombolo or sandbar, Charles Island is a 12-acre wildlife sanctuary serving as a haven for shorebirds. On a clear day, you’ll see groups of beachcombers making their way along the sandbar.
Known as the “thrice-cursed island,” there are plenty of well-documented legends surrounding the island, but none more exciting than the tale of Captain William Kidd landing in Milford and burying his final treasure. What better way to kick up the imagination than to walk across the water and embark on a hunt for pirate treasure?
Peaceful Ponds
A hidden treasure on Milford’s west side, the 36-acre Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve offers an easy trail around five ponds created in the 1950s. The main loop is a perfect under-an-hour walk for kids. Pack a picnic and your binoculars to view the waterfowl and other wildlife during the spring bird migrations. About 175 birds have been documented at Mondo Ponds including endangered, threatened, and species of concern. Pack a fishing pole to cast a line from shore and keep an eye out for turtles and other amphibians.
