Bristow Park – New Canaan’s Bird Sanctuary and Wildwood Preserve

Founded in 1924, Bristow Bird Sanctuary is the country’s third-oldest bird sanctuary. In October 2023, the Town of New Canaan and the New Canaan Land Trust formed a public-private partnership to preserve and enhance Bristow. Leveraging the Land Trust’s open-space expertise, the Land Trust works with the Town’s Conservation Commission to steward the sanctuary through habitat restoration, trail maintenance and improvements, care of bird feeders and boxes, and infrastructure enhancements.

Location: Off Old Stamford Road

Access: The sanctuary can be accessed from Mead Park and Old Stamford Road.

Date Protected: 1924

Acreage: 17

Visitation Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Dogs Allowed? Yes, dogs must be leashed at all times.