Description:

• Great wind exposure to the south, west, and east.
• The field slopes downward to the south all the way to the water's edge.
• Tree lined groves provide lots of shade to hide from the sun.
• Small (very small) beach. (no swimming allowed)
• Ample parking.
• Charcol grills.
• Picnic tables.
• Pay phones.
• Restrooms are available.

Plusses:

• Lots of room. - (Bring an extra kite, there will always be a place for it)
• An admission fee provides a friendly, family type environment.
• Free admission for seniors using the Charter Oak Pass.

Minuses:

• $8 admission for a non-resident (out of state) in-season. $5 for residents.
• It can be a bit of a hike to the field from the parking lot. The later in the day you
  get there, the longer the walk. A wagon or some kind of cart is a good idea.
• The park itself difficult to find and even more difficult to get to, like all the best places are.

Directions

• The short version
  Harkness is on the "loop" S.R. 213 makes as it traverses the peninsula
  of Waterford, Connecticut, at the mouth of the Thames River.

• From I-95 Northbound
  Exit 75. Bear right off ramp onto US Rte 1 north. Stay on Rte 1 past the light at Cross Road (VFW on right). Stay on Rte 1 for another 1-1/2 miles (past Dunkin Donuts, cemetery, Post Office) to next light. At the light at Silva's Package Store, turn RIGHT onto Avery Lane. Stay on Avery for 4 tenths of a mile to next light at State Route 156. Go straight thru light onto State Route 213, Great Neck Road. Go past Henny Penny convenience store and Americana Furniture on right and see park 3.1 miles up on the right.

• From I-395
  Exit 77 off I-395. Turn left onto Rt. 85. At second light, turn right onto Cross Road. Stay on past Caldor's and BJ's. Proceed another mile to light at US Rte 1. Turn left onto US 1 north. Stay on Rte 1 for 1-1/2 miles (past Dunkin Donuts, cemetery, Post Office) to next light. At the light at Silva's Package Store, turn RIGHT onto Avery Lane. Stay on Avery for 4 tenths of a mile to next light at State Route 156. Go straight thru light onto State Route 213, Great Neck Road. Go past Henny Penny convenience store and Americana Furniture on right and see park 3.1 miles up on the right.

• From I-95 Southbound
  Exit 81, Cross Road. Turn left at traffic light at end of ramp onto Parkway North. Go past WalMart & Caldors & BJ's to light at Cross Road. Turn LEFT onto Cross Road. Get into right lane crossing over I-95. Go straight thru light just past I-95. Stay on Cross Road 1 mile to light. Turn left at light onto US Rte 1 north. Stay on Rte 1 for 1-1/2 miles (past Dunkin Donuts, cemetery, Post Office) to next light. At the light at Silva's Package Store, turn RIGHT onto Avery Lane. Stay on Avery for 4 tenths of a mile to next light at State Route 156. Go straight thru light onto State Route 213, Great Neck Road. Go past Henny Penny convenience store and Americana Furniture on right and see park 3.1 miles up on the right.