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Westville, New Haven facts for kids

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Westville
Neighborhood of New Haven
Apartments along Whalley Avenue
Apartments along Whalley Avenue
Westville within New Haven
Westville within New Haven
Country United States
State Connecticut
City New Haven

Westville is a neighborhood in the city of New Haven, Connecticut. People often praise it for being easy to walk around. It has a mix of different people and is a great place to live. While it might be a bit more expensive than other American cities, it has less crime. Also, more kids here finish high school compared to the national average.

Exploring Westville: Where Is It?

Westville is located in the western part of New Haven, Connecticut. It sits west of the West River. The neighborhood has clear borders.

Westville's Borders

  • To the west, it borders the town of Woodbridge, Connecticut. This border is near the Wilbur Cross Parkway.
  • To the north, it meets the Amity neighborhood along Fountain Street.
  • To the northeast, it touches the West Rock neighborhood along Valley Street.
  • The West River forms its eastern border.
  • To the south, it borders the city of West Haven.

Main Roads in Westville

The main roads that go through Westville are Whalley Avenue, Edgewood Avenue, Fountain Street, and Forest Road. These roads help people get around the neighborhood easily.

What Kind of Area Is Westville?

Westville is a mix of different types of areas. It has both homes and businesses. As you go higher up in elevation, you will find more homes. The eastern part of the neighborhood, where many homes are, is a special historic district. It is called the "Suburban Westville Historic District."

Most of the businesses are found along Whalley Avenue. This road runs from the southeast to the northwest. The business area of Westville along Whalley Avenue is also known as a "Connecticut Main Street."

Westville Village: The Heart of the Neighborhood

The main business area of Westville is called "Westville Village." It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Westville Village Historic District. This commercial area stretches along Whalley Avenue, roughly from Fitch Street to Emerson Street.

Historic Masonic Temple, Westville, New Haven, CT
Masonic Temple at 903-11 Whalley Avenue, now home to several businesses

In 2003, this historic district covered about 22 acres (8.9 hectares). It included 30 important buildings. Later, in 2006, the former Westville Theater building was added to the list. This building, built in 1912, is now home to Lyric Hall. Lyric Hall is a local theater and a place where old items are fixed and cared for.

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Lyric Hall, a popular performance space

Westville's business area used to be famous for its antique shops. Now, as those shops close, many art galleries, hair salons, and cafes have opened. Because of its many popular breakfast spots, locals sometimes call the area "Brunchville" on weekends!

There is a big effort to add and keep public art in Westville Village. You can find art by famous artists like Swoon and Faring Purth throughout the commercial district.

Fun Events in Westville

Every year, the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance helps keep the Westville area special. They host events to bring people from New Haven and beyond together.

Annual Traditions

  • The [Westville Artwalk] is a tradition that has been going on for over 20 years.
  • There is also a Halloween Puppet Parade.
  • During the summer, they have a Summer Concert Series.
  • Each year, there is a tree lighting and a menorah ceremony in the business district.
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The c.1913 Hotel Edgewood housed a popular restaurant prior to a 2014 fire

Other Cool Spots in Westville

Westville is home to several important places.

Yale University's Sports Facilities

Many of Yale University's main sports fields are in Westville. These include:

Walter Camp Gate 1
Entrance to the athletic campus of Yale University

Hopkins School

The Hopkins School is also located here. It is one of the oldest private high schools in the United States.

Community and Nature

Westville is where many Jewish people in the New Haven area live.

The neighborhood is right next to Edgewood Park. This is one of the biggest and most beautiful parks in New Haven. It has:

  • Tennis courts.
  • Walking trails.
  • A pond with ducks.
  • A dog park.
  • A playground area.
  • A soccer field.

At the end of Alden Avenue, where it meets Fountain Street, you'll find one of the few standalone United States Post Offices in New Haven.

Also, at the corner of West Rock Avenue and Whalley Avenue, there is a popular City Seed Farmers' Market. This market is open during the warmer months.

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