Irwin Park is a people sanctuary, with benches scattered around its vast orchards and fields, and trails that wind…More through the woods around the park. There's no playground, but there's often lots of quiet.</p> <p>Opened in 2005, Irwin is New Canaan's newest public park. Three quarters of a mile of flexible surface trails for jogging and walking were added in 2008.</p> <p>Also, the town's Health Department and land use offices are housed at the park.</p>

Walking distance from the center of town, Mead Memorial Park is a public playground for visitors of all ages. With…More one full-size baseball field and two little league fields, nine tennis courts, playgrounds and a pond spanning nearly five acres, Mead Memorial Park has something for everyone.  </p> <p>The recently opened the Lodge at Mead Park houses a snack bar, air conditioned restrooms, and offers an open air eating area and terrace overlooking the ball fields.</p> <p>If you're up for a game of tennis, call the attendant at 203-594-3618 to reserve a court or login to the <a href="http://newcanaan.tennissource.net/">online reservation system</a>.</p>

Just outside of the center of town, Waveny Park is New Canaan's ultimate public park.  With entrances on South…More Avenue and Lapham Road, Waveny Park is open to all town residents and covers 250 acres of land offering everything from <a href="http://newcanaan.qscend.com/content/293/323/665/1532.aspx">paddle courts</a> and over three miles of jogging and walking trails, to a theatre and an art center. </p> <p>Host of New Canaana's Annual Fourth of July Fireworks and Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Waveny Park is also home to the Powerhouse Performing Arts Center, route: {:action=>"show", :controller=>"listings", :id=>"powerhouse-performing-arts-center"} --> and the Carriage Barn. </p> <p>Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Waveny mansion is the park's centerpiece and was once a summer home to some of New Canaan's most elite residents. Now, the castle-sized building is available for rent for special events and parties and is a popular wedding venue.  </p> <p>The New Canaan <a href="http://www.newcanaan.info/content/293/323/default.aspx">Recreation Department</a> office is also located in the Waveny house.</p> <p>Golfers can often be found practing their drive in the open field by Waveny house, and there's also a 12-hole <a href="http://www.pdga.com/course-details?id=3268&s=a1b23912e9b9717491cf38427ded8808">frisbee golf course</a> in the park.</p> <p>Next to the <!-- name: Waveny Park Swimming Pool is <a href="http://www.spencersrun.org/">Spencer's Run Dog Park</a> - a designated, fenced section of the park that invites all of our furry best friends to roam free. Waveny Park requires that dogs remain leashed at all times except when inside Spencer's Run Dog Park. </p>

The perfect little park any time of year, Mill Pond Park is a surprisingly serene and peaceful escape despite its…More proximity to Route 123.  Located on Millport Avenue, the park is adorned with benches, walking paths and a small foot bridge.  Mill Pond hosts an annual fishing contest and, weather permitting, is illuminated for ice skating. </p> <p>A former favorite Mill Pond activity was feeding the flocks of geese that tend to wander the shore, but that's now a thing of the past -  feeding the geese is prohibited.</p>

New Canaan is landlocked so the only place you can stick your toes in the sand is a golf course hazard, or the…More manmade beach at Kiwanis Park. Located on Old Norwalk Road, just off of Main Street, Kiwanis Park is one New Canaan's two public swimming facilites. </p> <p>Open from June through August, visitors are invited to play and relax on the sandy beach or take a dip in the park's swimming hole. </p> <p>Kiwanis Park also includes an outdoor basketball court, playground, snack bar and picnic area. </p> <p>Kiwanis Park is only open to New Canaan residents and their guests. Pick up a membership card at the <a href="http://www.newcanaan.info/content/293/323/default.aspx">Recreation Department</a> office.</p>