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 Waveny Park Swimming Pool is open June through August and is a popular summer destination.

The 50-meter…More outdoor pool has lap lanes, a diving well, and is handicap accessible. The facility also sports a kiddie pool for toddlers and a full service snack bar. The pavillion houses dressing rooms, showers, and a first aid station. Lifeguards are on duty.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.newcanaan.info/content/293/323/default.aspx">Recreation Department</a> organizes swim lesson and swim team programs at the pool.</p>

The New Canaan Garden Club, founded in 1909, is affiliated with the Garden Club of America, whose mission is to…More stimulate knowledge and love of gardening. The New Canaan chapter is dedicated to educational programs and civic improvements to enhance the quality of life and protect the environment. The Garden Club cares for elaborate gardens and landscapes at Irwin Park, the Waveny Walled Garden and the Shirley Bird Garden at the Historical Society; it also provides floral arrangements for the Waveny Care Center. It also sponsors meetings, conferences and educational programs.</p> <p> </p>

Headquartered in historic Waveny House, the Recreation Department's goal is to enhance the quality of life for New…More Canaan residents by using town resources such as public parks, public buildings, and public facilities to provide recreation and leisure activities for individuals and families. It offers a wide array of recreation services to suit residents' various needs and interests at a reasonable cost.</p> <p>Recreational Programs for all ages are offered year-round. Programs include the team sports of Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Flag Football, Softball, Field Hockey and Tennis, plus individual instruction in Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Paddle Tennis, Running/XC, Swimming, Exercise, Diving, Guitar, and Field Hockey. Educational programs in Science, Nature, Magic and Computers along with Summer Day Camps for children and special events round out the offerings. New Canaan also has many public spaces and facilities available for the enjoyment of all, including Waveny House, Waveny Pool, Platform Tennis Courts, Mead Tennis Courts, Spencer’s Run, Kiwanis Park and the Waveny Park and Irwin Park hiking trails.</p> <p>Residents may visit the Recreation Department office or website to sign up for programs, to obtain permits for tennis, paddle tennis and swimming, and to find information about New Canaan's parks and recreation facilities.</p>