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Gallaher Mansion and Cranbury Park: A Historic Estate and Recreational Haven

Explore a historic Tudor mansion and enjoy outdoor recreation at Norwalk's Cranbury Park, featuring trails, disc golf, and a dog-friendly orchard.

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Gallaher Mansion and Cranbury Park in Norwalk, CT, is a 227-acre estate offering a blend of history and recreation. The Tudor Revival-style Gallaher Mansion, built in 1930, serves as a backdrop to wooded trails, a dog park, disc golf course, and more, making it a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

A brief summary to Gallaher Mansion and Cranbury Park

  • Monday 7 am-8 pm
  • Tuesday 7 am-8 pm
  • Wednesday 7 am-8 pm
  • Thursday 7 am-8 pm
  • Friday 7 am-8 pm
  • Saturday 7 am-8 pm
  • Sunday 7 am-8 pm

Local tips

  • Bring your dog! Cranbury Park is dog-friendly, with an off-leash area in the orchard and trails where dogs are welcome under voice control.
  • Explore the trails. Cranbury Park offers miles of wooded trails for walking, hiking, and mountain biking.
  • Try disc golf. The park features a challenging 18-hole disc golf course that winds through the woods.
  • Check out the Carriage House Arts Center for community theater performances.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Cranbury Park is located at 300 Grumman Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851. From the Merritt Parkway, take exit 39B for Route 7 North. Turn right at the end of the short expressway and then left. At 0.2 miles, turn right onto West Rock Road. At 0.4 miles, turn left onto Bayne Street, at 1.2 miles turn left onto Grumman Avenue, and at 1.6 turn right into the park entrance. Parking is available at the park. Non-residents can expect to pay $12 per day for parking. A non-resident season pass is available for $175.

  • Public Transport

    While direct public transportation to Cranbury Park may be limited, you can take a train or bus to Norwalk and then use a taxi or ride-sharing service to reach the park. Norwalk has commuter shuttles, but these may not directly serve Cranbury Park. A short taxi or ride-share from the South Norwalk (SoNo) train station to Cranbury Park will cost approximately $15-$25, depending on traffic and demand.

  • Walking

    While walking to Cranbury Park is possible, it's best suited for those already in the immediate vicinity. From the intersection of Kensett and Grumman Avenues, the park's gated entry is 1000 feet north on Grumman Avenue. Be aware that Grumman Avenue can be busy, so exercise caution.

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Discover more about Gallaher Mansion and Cranbury Park

Cranbury Park, home to the Gallaher Mansion, is a sprawling 227-acre park in Norwalk, Connecticut, offering a diverse range of activities and attractions. The park's centerpiece is the Gallaher Mansion, a Tudor Revival-style mansion constructed in 1930 by inventor and industrialist Edward Beach Gallaher. Gallaher, a pioneer in early automobile design, established the Clover Manufacturing Company in Norwalk in 1910. The mansion, designed by Percy L. Fowler, features carved limestone shields, stained-glass windows, and walnut-paneled rooms. The site's history predates the mansion; it was once home to the Kensett Sanitarium, which served people suffering from mental disorders and addictions until it burned down in 1912. Gallaher acquired the land in 1917 and began building his estate. After Gallaher's death, the property was bequeathed to the Stevens Institute of Technology and later acquired by the City of Norwalk in 1965, opening as a public park. Today, Cranbury Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Visitors can explore miles of wooded trails, enjoy a picnic, play disc golf on the 18-hole course, or bring their dogs to the dog-friendly orchard. The Carriage House Arts Center, located in the estate's former carriage house, hosts community theater performances. The park's Great Lawn is a popular venue for weddings and events. While the Gallaher Mansion is currently undergoing renovations, the grounds and other facilities remain open to the public.

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