[Fairhaven Walking Tour] A Provocatie View of Our Neighborhoods: Where We Came From, Where We Can Still Go

Locations

Here is an audaciously fresh take on marketing our towns and cities, not just top-draw attractions, but bottom-up as well, via the neighborhoods where we live, work and play. Come see why you should meet up with your friends in one of New Haven's neighborhoods.

You will be surprised at the diversity of fascinating neighborhoods in New Haven, and perhaps none more thought-provoking than Fair Haven. You are invited on a 90 minute leisurely walk , rain or shine; a treat for the mind, body and spirit - and a challenge to our commonly held beliefs about where our neighborhoods come from and where they can go.

You will start at Quinnipiac Park overlooking the triumphant bridge and revitalized river - a foretaste of the neighborhood and stories we're about to share. Chris Ozyck of Yale Urban Resources Initiatives starts us off with the story of the Q River past, present, and future.

You will walk North on Front Street, along the river, to view historic homes that have been restored. (This has the look and feel of something like Savannah, Georgia). Stop over at Jenelle's Riverfront Restaurant to grab a quick drink and/or snack.

You will travel west into Chatham Square Neighborhood - a shining example of neighborhood revitalization for, with, and by neighbors. Three years into its community effort, Chatham Square has seen marked increase in:

• Residential home ownership
• Sense of community, with its own 100-member online presence
• Partnerships with neighborhood businesses (e.g., residents gather monthly at neighborhood restaurants):

You will then walk south to Grand Avenue, Fair Haven's main street and showcase for New Haven's most culturally diverse neighborhood. Hear about the influences from Poland, Italy, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Ecuador, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon and China, among others.

For the majority of the tour you will walk west to Grand Avenue seeing the highlights of local history and the variety of great places to eat and south on Blatchley Avenue, named after Samuel Blatchley, whose family had the vision for present day Fair Haven H. You will see Samuel's restored home:

As the tour comes to an end you will see Fair Haven Furniture + Alternative Home Store where you can look forward to wine and cheese courtesy of owners Elizabeth and Kerry. But the real treat is discovering their hidden gem of a store, 3 floors of exquisite finds from all over the world. This is one of New Haven's great treasure chests.

From Fair Haven Furniture + Alternative Home Store it is a 10 minute walk, mostly along the river back to your car or bicycle.

Google map of this walking tour:

View Social Web Week Tour in a larger map

Parking and places to lock your bicycle:
Unmetered street parking is available on Front St. across the street from the park. Bikes can be securely locked in the park.