Date Of Visit: May 30, 2017
Location: 1814 Tolland St, Manchester, CT
The address on the website is for the back entrance which is locked Do not enter this address into your GPS. The best way to go is to follow the instructions on their website or try using the address listed above. I had to pull into a Dunkin’ Donuts to get directions.
There is also limited free parking on a side street (Vernon Rd)
Cost: $5 per car
Hours: open daily, sunrise to sunset
Park Size/Trail Difficulty: 250 acres/easy trails with some gentle inclines
Handicapped Accessible: Yes.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Highlights: scenic views, ponds, wetlands, wildlife, art, well maintained grounds, disc-golf field, bird sanctuary, nature center, gardens, flowers,hiking trails, picnic areas, ample parking
Website: Wickham Park
Map of Wickham Park: Map Of Wickham Park
Wickham Park has a little a bit of everything for everyone. There are gardens, wetlands and hiking trails for the nature lover. There is a nature center and bird sanctuary for animal lovers to learn more about the inhabitants of the grounds. There is also a play area for children and a beautiful scenic outlook for people to sit and enjoys beautiful views of the Hartford area. There’s even tennis courts, pavilions and a disc golf field. It is also one of the most beautiful parks I have visited (I know – I say that about all of the parks I visit).
If you have limited time or you don’t want to walk around too much, I would suggest going to Lot B first. But, you can drive from lot to lot so tall of the areas of he park are very accessible.
Lot B is across from the Japanese themed Lotus Gardens, Irish Garden and other natural beauties.
There are also pretty structures and statues along the paths.
Knot Garden has a maze (it’s not as easy as it looks), statues and beautiful flowers.
There is a wide variety of birds, mammals and other animals at Wickham Park.
I caught this bird taking a dust bath.
These frogs were busy. So I left them to their privacy, as much as there is at a park.
There is also a bird sanctuary at Wickham. All of the birds at the sanctuary were either injured or unable to survive in the wild on their own. And, it looks like more are on their way.
Not all of the animals at the sanctuary were birds. This sneaky fella found a way to score some choice feed.
There is also a fun and educational nature next to a playground. The animals are the nature center were much easier to photograph.
Wickham Park also offers stunning views of the Hartford and surrounding area.
There is also a disc golf field and easy to moderate hiking trails.
Wickham is worth the visit just for the art and architecture and nature alone. The trails and gardens are just an added bonus.
Dogs are allowed at Wickham Park. I was able to click a few photos of Holly as she hunted for a rabbit.
The only bad thing about my trip to Wickham Park was getting there. The website has the address listed as 1329 Middle Turnpike West, Manchester, CT. This is the back entrance and there was a gate preventing entry this way. The main entrance is actually on Tolland St.
If you do use the address on their website (1329 Middle Turnpike West, Manchester, CT), to get to Wickham, drive west onto Burnside Ave and take a right onto Long Hill Drive (at a set of lights after about a mile (a Dunkin’ Donuts and strip mall will be on your left). Then, take the next right onto Tolland St. or Tolland Turnpike. The main entrance to Tolland Park will be on the right after about a mile.
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New England Nomad 
June 5th, 2017 at 1:55 am
Hello liked your pictures of the park.especially holly. It was great meeting you. George
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June 5th, 2017 at 2:00 am
Thank you, George! It was very nice meeting you and Holly as well. Also, I updated the spelling of Holly’s name (I had it as Hollie). Thanks again!
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June 5th, 2017 at 7:10 am
Another lovely post of what looks a very nice place especially for children to see animals. I think your wildlife photos are very good. I have tried to photograph birds and small animals and they are quite a challenge!
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June 5th, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Yes, sometimes children can get bored or even over stimulated with all of the sounds, colors and sights at parks (I can as well!). So, the play area is a great idea! Thank you.
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June 5th, 2017 at 7:30 am
Looks like a wonderful place. undervalued from the lack of other park-goers in almost all the photos. Great photos BTW!
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June 5th, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Thank you, Kate! Yes, I went during a week day so that could explain the lack of people in the photos. Also, I try to wait for people to clear out of the area I am photographing if I shooting landscapes or nature.
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June 5th, 2017 at 10:58 pm
What a lot of fun. Loved the injected humour, too!
I’m really impressed by the order and cleanliness of the park; as well as the fact that more and more sanctuaries are being created to look after the sick and injured ~
Love Holly… 🙂
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June 6th, 2017 at 3:42 am
Thank you, Carolyn! I have noticed the parks I have been visiting recently have been very well maintained and the dog owners have been doing a good job cleaning up after their pets.
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June 6th, 2017 at 1:24 am
This looks like such a delightful park. Kinda like a garden of a stately home!
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June 6th, 2017 at 3:40 am
It does look kike it could be an old estate. It’s nice to see the Wickhams, specifically Clarence Wickham, wanted to donate the land for a park upon his death rather than using it for business or a sprawling manor.
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June 7th, 2017 at 11:59 am
Great pictures, as always! I really like the Irish Park (but mostly because I am a sucker for all things Irish). And those pond ducks ❤ So cute.
I always feel a bit sad I can't go to these amazing places myself (at least not any time soon) because I live too far away, but your photos always make me smile 🙂
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June 8th, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Thank you! Yes, the Irish Garden was also my favorite as well. I have thing for Irish stuff as well being that I am Irish!
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June 11th, 2017 at 5:50 pm
A lovely, elegant park Wayne, I enjoyed this walk and meeting all the creatures you introduced on the way.
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June 11th, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Thank you so much, Andrea. There was so much to cover! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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