Block Watch 303 is an active Block Watch on West Rock Avenue between Chapel Street and Edgewood Avenue. In addition to traditional Block Watch activities Block Watch 303 has been involved in neighborhood beautification and flower gardens since 2001. Working with the Urban Resources Initiative (URI), Block Watch 303 has partnered with various neighborhood groups to plant flower gardens, participate in neighborhood cleanups and develop programing around neighborhood gardening projects.
As you walk around Westville you will see a number of Block Watch 303 neighborhood gardening sites including:
- Edgewood Park at the corner of Chapel Street & Yale Avenue and at the corner of West Rock & Whalley Avenues.
- The triangle garden at the intersection of Fountain Street & Whalley Avenue.
- The small garden plots flanking the steps from the Blake Street and Whalley Avenue Public Parking Lot.
- The flower barrels in Westville Village.
- The flower barrels and gardens on the Mitchell Library grounds, including at the sculpture wall.
Block Watch 303 depends on neighborhood volunteers for planting, maintenance and watering. If you have a little free time that you could volunteer for Westville beautification please contact blockwatch303@gmail.com.
In 2009, Block Watch 303, with support from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, was able to identify and map the trees surrounding Mitchell Library in Beecher Park. You can download and print this map from an attachment at the bottom of this page. Many of the trees survive from the original "Blondstone" estate of Ebenezer B. Beecher (Beecher Park). An image, courtesy of Colin Caplin at Magrisso Forte, of the Beecher home and estate can also be viewed from an attachment at the bottom of this page. Use the "Back Arrow" to return to this page after viewing attachments.
Third Annual Garden Party at Mitchell Library
June 24, 2009
co-sponsored by Block Watch #303
Over 60 visitors came to Mitchell Library for the 
Third Annual Ladybug Release Party to make ladybug cookies, ladybug crafts and listen to ladybug stories.
Despite the rain, everyone had a good time especially the ladybugs that were released into the Mitchell Library gardens.
Special Thanks to Sharon Lovett-Graff and the entire Mitchell Library staff & volunteers for helping make this event possible.
Mariposa (Butterfly) Release Party
August 5, 2009
Co-Sponsored by Block Watch #303 & The International Association of New Haven
It was a beautiful summer day and over 75 visitors came to celebrate the Monarch butterfly and
it's migration to Mexico. Butterfly crafts, refreshments and release of the beautiful butterflies into the Mithchell Library gardens.
Butterfly stories were read in English and Spanish about the amazing trip these delicate appearing creatures make to Mexico.
Thanks to the Mitchell library staff and volunteers, Block Watch 303 volunteers and the International Association of New Haven for helping make this event happen. Special thanks to Joanne Wilcox for the wonderfull butterfly pictures.
Thanks to the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven for helping support community events in Westville and throughout the greater New Haven area.
