If you’ve ever to walked up Hillhouse Avenue or headed towards Science Hill from Prospect Avenue, you’ve walked past the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, known around town simply as “the Farmington Canal,” “the canal line,” or just “the canal.” As you may have guessed, the trail follows an early 19th century canal. It stretches 84 miles from Northhampton Massachusetts to the Long Island Sound in New Haven. For the past 25 years, a group of advocates and volunteers have worked to turn the whole thing into a public linear recreational trail and today there are only two short unbuilt segments left on the whole path. Although the canal line is popular with locals, many Yale students tend to forget about its existence. I am not one of those Yale students. As an enthusiastic runner, I am an avid supporter of the Farmington Canal.
At precisely 7:30am, I begin my run in the canal from its entrance on Hillhouse Avenue by Leet Oliver Memorial Hall (students can access the canal by Ben Frank and Pauli Murry as well). When you first enter the canal, regardless of where you choose to enter, you are immediately transported away from the hustle of New Haven. With freshly mowed grass and trees neatly lined up along both sides of the canal, the air somehow feels cleaner here.
Entrance to the Farmington Canal from Hillhouse Avenue
In the early morning, the canal is serene with only the sounds of crickets chirping to accompany you. If you happen to spend at least 30 minutes in the canal, it’s a given that you’ll get a burst of serotonin from the dogs you will see along the way. While the sights and sounds I see and hear along the canal quickly come and go during my run, I look forward to passing these sights during each run.
One of the first areas I love to pass in the canal is Scantlebury Park. Depending on the time of day you pass by the park, you can see students playing basketball or skateboarding, children running around the playground, or adults playing a friendly game of pickleball.
Pickleball Court and Skate Park in Scantlebury Park
Next along the canal, approximately a quarter of a mile away from Scantlebury Park, is Fussy Coffee. No matter the time, the aroma of baked goods and coffee permeates into the canal. Fussy Coffee’s outdoor seating and open windows makes it a prime coffee date spot and its location by the canal makes it accessible for students needing a quick pick me up.
Outside of Fussy Coffee as seen from the Farmington Canal
For avid climbers, New Haven’s indoor climbing gym is not far from the canal’s entrance by Hillhouse Avenue. I’ve yet to explore the gym but it’s definitely on my bucket list of activities to do during my time at Yale.
If you want to further explore the canal and briefly escape New Haven, just keep heading north, but the 2 miles I see before making my way back to Hillhouse Avenue is perfect for me.
A bicyclist and 2 runners in the morning
The colorful murals, the ability to immerse myself with a sliver New Haven (and a tiny part of neighboring Hamden), and the peaceful liveliness of bikers, pedestrians, and runners passing through the canal is what compels me to embark on my run every morning. If you are still not convinced to traverse through the canal, I won’t be offended. Just remember that my pictures do not do it justice and that the canal is much better experienced in person.
Happy exploring! If you happen to get lost (this is nearly impossible since the canal is one giant lane) or need any help, look out for the Yale blue phones which are scattered throughout the Farmington Canal. See you around the canal some day!
The views I see during my runs are unmatched
