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A Natural Oasis Where Birds Thrive

This is one of seven sanctuaries managed by the Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ in Greenwich. The Gimbel Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Sanctuary is part of the former 200-acre Gimbel estate, which was bought by Issac Gimbel in 1925 and occupied by his family for three generations. The Gimbel Foundation gave 37 acres to the local Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Society of Greenwich chapter in 1972 and John Fereri gave another 43 acres in 1995.

The 80-acre Gimbel Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Sanctuary provides a wide diversity of habitats to explore. A hardwood forest of oak, hickory, beech, and tulip trees, as well as groves of spruce, pine, fir, and hemlock are crossed by several small streams and wetlands. A large old field hosts grouse and Wild Turkeys as well as nesting Eastern Bluebirds in the spring and summer. Near the parking area are a flood retaining wall and an old orchard that provides a cloud of apple blossoms in the spring. The adjacent path leads to an open meadow and then to a memorial garden filled with plants attractive to butterflies. A hiking trail connects the Gimbel Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Sanctuary to the Nature Conservancy’s Byram River Gorge Preserve to the north.

Hours: Open Daily, Sunrise to Sunset

Maintenance Status: Unfortunately, the trail entrances are inaccessible due to invasive species growth. We encourage you to check out our other sanctuaries and check back here for an updated status in the future!

Location: The main entrance is via a trail on Sherwood Avenue opposite Nutmeg Drive. You can also enter the sanctuary by a 50-foot-wide, tree-shaded right of way adjacent to the Greenwich Woods Nursing Home on King Street, where parking is available on the south side of the Greenwich Woods parking lot by the stone wall.