Beaver Hills Neighborhood - New Haven, CT

Like the Westville area next door, Beaver Hills is one of New Haven’s “suburbs” in the city and is in a historic district just northwest of Downtown. It is one of the country’s first examples of a planned residential community. In the 20th century, developers neatly laid out a grid of boulevards and parkways over this wooded area and carefully controlled the housing that was built and sold in this growing middle class community. In contrast to post-war development of tract houses, Beaver Hills’ legacy is an eclectic mix of architectural styles such as Bungalows, Colonials and Tudors, all shaded under mature elm trees.

The Beaver Pond Park at the bottom of Beaver Hills is a city treasure that is carefully tended to by neighborhood groups. Visitors to the park enjoy watching migratory birds and other wildlife that make the pond their home. For the sport enthusiasts and joggers, there is the beautiful, new Hillhouse High School athletic complex and outdoor track, plus hiking through West Rock Park. Within walking distance around the western side of the neighborhood, Southern Connecticut State offers many opportunities for intellectual and cultural activities. Neighbors gather at Westville village center to shop or enjoy a morning coffee or evening meal. New Haven’s favorite natural food store, Edge of the Woods, is just south of the village on Whalley Avenue.