Beardsley Park And Zoological Gardens
Rate this placeNearby: Beardsley State Park Svihra Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Beardsley Park and Zoological Gardens is a popular destination in the state of Connecticut, offering a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages.
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Summary
The park covers over 320 acres and is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Some good reasons to visit the park include its beautiful gardens and landscaped grounds, as well as its diverse collection of animals and exhibits.
One of the most popular attractions in Beardsley Park is the zoo, which features over 300 animals from around the world. Visitors can see everything from tigers and lions to monkeys, birds, and reptiles. Other points of interest include the park's aviary, which houses a variety of exotic birds, and its botanical gardens, which feature a wide range of plants and flowers.
Interesting facts about Beardsley Park include its history as a private estate before being purchased by the city of Bridgeport in 1893. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York City's Central Park. In addition, the zoo is home to several endangered species, such as the Amur leopard and the red panda.
The best time of year to visit Beardsley Park depends on personal preference, as the park and zoo are open year-round. However, many visitors enjoy visiting during the summer months when the weather is warm and the gardens are in full bloom.
Overall, Beardsley Park and Zoological Gardens is a must-see attraction in Connecticut, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and wildlife.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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