Plan Your Visit
The Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary is a 179-acre wildlife sanctuary adjacent to Rye Playland, in Rye, NY. The sanctuary features a shoreline on Long Island Sound, Manursing Lake, salt-marsh wetland, trails through a deciduous forest, a bamboo grove, and fields of native grasses and wildflowers. The National Audubon Society has acknowledged the sanctuary as an Important Bird Area. The sanctuary’s nature center building has nature exhibits and a bird viewing window, and a setting for educational programs. Learn more about the history of the Sanctuary.
Directions
From I-95, Northbound or Southbound take Exit 19 (Playland Parkway) to Playland. If you are a member of the sanctuary, your membership card will allow you to open the automatic gate in the far LEFT lane at the parking booths at Playland’s main entrance. Continue driving to the back right side of the main parking lot by the Dragon Coaster ride. You’ll see another automatic gate. Tap your card again, and continue straight down the road into the sanctuary. Manursing Lake is on the left and Long Island Sound and Kayak Launch area are on the right. There is a parking area in front of the visitor center. Please do not park on the grassy areas. See our google map insert for more detailed directions.
When Playland is in operation, non-members will have to pay Playland’s parking fee, park in Playland’s lot, and walk down the road to the sanctuary.
Entering the Sanctuary Using Your Membership Card
Sanctuary Rules
Sanctuary Rules are for your safety and the protection of our wildlife. Thank you for joining the Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary! The 179-acre sanctuary offers 3-miles of walking trails, access to 1/4-mile of the Long Island Sound shoreline, and a nature center that offers educational programming and interactive nature education exhibits. Membership dues support ongoing improvements and enhancements for visitors and wildlife.
Enjoy and Explore
Here are a few of the things you can enjoy and explore while visiting the sanctuary: