Woodbridge Park Association Strategic Investment Fund

The Woodbridge Park Association (WPA) is one of the oldest land trusts in the state, beginning in 1928 with Newton Herbert Street’s donation of 82 acres in honor of his mother, Alice Newton Street. By placing the land in the trust of a nonprofit, Street preserved a large swath of nature uniquely situated near the center of town. 

“It was absolutely visionary,” says Catherine Wick, the association’s president. “The organization was founded with a nonprofit board to run it.”

The all-volunteer nonprofit board of directors is responsible for preserving Alice Newton Street Memorial Park, now 100 acres, and making it accessible to the public. The main trail is manicured, wide, and relatively flat, while other paths are winding and natural. 

“This park in particular is one of the most heavily used of all the open space areas in the town. We’re aware of making it accessible to as many people as possible,” Wick says.

To preserve the WPA’s financial assets, the board created an endowed organization fund, which will perpetually help fund park maintenance and strategic land purchases. 

The Woodbridge Park Association is a distinct organization from the Woodbridge Land Trust, which owns and manages many of the other natural areas in Woodbridge. Combined with town-owned lands, the tracts create a greenway that circles the entire town, and connects to wooded trails that travel from New Haven through Bethany and beyond.

While the land preserves may be located in Woodbridge, Wick emphasizes that they are available to all, and that the mission of the WPA is to serve the region.

“There are a number of area towns that don’t have much land available to preserve. One thing that we in Woodbridge can contribute to the broader community is to preserve as much land as possible,” Wick says. “We understand that we take advantage of the city. Many of us work, dine, shop and use the city every day. Preserving our land and making those resources available to the public is our way of contributing something of value to our neighbors in the city. We view it as a regional asset, and we welcome everyone.”