Newman-Poses Preserve
The Newman-Poses Preserve is the only public memorial approved by the family of the late Paul Newman as a way to honor the actor and philanthropist.
Improvements were a team effort: In Spring 2018, with help from interns from Staples High School, Aspetuck Land Trust improved the entrance area; Gault Energy donated topsoil and gravel; the Town of Westport lent their public works crew; Barts Tree Service removed invasive trees; Oliver's Nursery donated native plants; and Easton woodworker Dan Magner designed a new preserve sign.
Paul Newman enjoying a winter swim in the Aspetuck river, which runs through the preserve.
The Land Trust worked closely with the town of Westport and the Newman family to ensure that this land will remain open space for the public and not be developed. The Land Trust made improvements to the property for public access (driveway and parking lot, trails, bridges, signage) and manages the nature preserve for the town.
Lilian and Jack Poses
Mr. Newman lived near the property and donated a large portion of the land to the town. The parcel also includes land sold to the town by Lillian Poses, a neighbor and friend of Mr. Newman's who worked on the New Deal in Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration and who was one of the first women to graduate from NYU Law School.
For a family hike exploration of Newman-Poses Preserve,
follow this link: Family Hike at the Newman-Poses Preserve.
Directions & Parking
The preserve can be accessed off Bayberry Lane (north of Easton Road/Rte 136). The entrance to the preserve is located between 307 and 313 Bayberry Lane. There is a small three-car parking lot. If the lot is full, you can park at the turn off at the intersection of Easton Road/Route 136 and Bayberry Lane and walk 500 feet north to the entrance.
Say hello to a flock of wild turkeys while you enjoy the diverse habitats of this preserve. Here you will find well-established trails through woodland, wetland, open fields, stands of old white pine, and a trail beside the Aspetuck River.
A Letter from Lissy Newman
about Newman-Poses Preserve
I believed, from the time I was about seven, that all of this land was mine. I treated it like it was mine. I went crazy wild here with dogs every day after school, indeed, I thought I was a dog. I seemed to experience nature here the way a dog does, face first, running through thorns, snuffling in the mud, tracking deer... read more
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
Where is it?
307 -313 Bayberry Lane
Westport, CT 06880