In a time muddled by noise and packed schedules, many people are looking for a quiet spot to reset.
According to a survey conducted by A Mission for Michael, three Connecticut spots were named to the top 200 “micro-escapes” of the country.
Coming in at No. 103, Wooster Square Park in New Haven offers a “smaller, more intimate alternative to New Haven’s larger greens,” according to the report.
“The square is best known for its historic row of cherry blossom trees, which draw steady foot traffic each spring, but for most of the year it functions as a quiet neighborhood lawn framed by mature trees and surrounding brownstones. Paths trace the perimeter, benches sit beneath the canopy, and the central green stays open and uncomplicated. Because it’s woven directly into residential streets and just a short walk from local cafes and restaurants, people tend to use it in easy, everyday ways — a slow circuit after dinner, a book on a shaded bench, or a brief pause that feels sheltered from the busier downtown pace.”
At No. 143, Mill River Park in Stamford stood out for its “steady rhythm” and connected paths. “People come here to clear their heads, stretch out a walk, or step away from built-up streets without fully leaving the city. It feels restorative because it’s woven into everyday life, not set apart from it,” the report said.
Finally, coming in at No. 149 was Bushnell Park in Hartford. The park was noted as offering a sense of calm that “feels earned rather than decorative. Curving paths and mature trees soften the city’s edges, making it easy to slow down without committing to a long escape. People use the park in practical, everyday ways — a quiet walk between meetings, a short sit on a bench, or a moment to reset before heading back indoors. It works because it feels established and dependable, a place where the city’s pace naturally eases.”
In the nation, the top 10 were the following:
- Kanahā Beach Park, Kahului, Hawaii
- Central Park, Pasadena, California
- Kapiʻolani Regional Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts
- Monroe Park, Richmond, Virginia
- Greensboro Arboretum, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Wailoa River State Recreation Area, Hilo, Hawaii
- Riverside Gardens Park, Red Bank, New Jersey
- Freedom Park, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Riverfront Park, Spokane, Washington
The survey asked people to identify urban parks, gardens, riverwalks and public green spaces that made them feel calm, grounded and able to switch off.