Barnard Nature Center is the newest building in the New Haven Parks System. The Nature Center features a state-of-the-art classroom, green roof and park ranger office. The building also houses numerous amphibians and reptiles for educational programs. The Center has a partnership with the Barnard Environmental Magnet School across the street. The nature center allows access from the school to the park using a walking bridge that goes over one of the busiest roads in New Haven. This allows students access to play fields and ability to study the unique ecosystem that is the West River Watershed. Highlights include: canoe launch (near corner of Ella Grasso Blvd. and Derby Ave.), osprey platforms, Ahearn Memorial (statue of Timothy Francis Ahearn, WWI hero), soccer and rugby fields and basketball court.